AC-R-4 – Sexual Harassment of Students

Sexual harassment is recognized as a form of sex discrimination and thus a violation of the laws which prohibit sex discrimination. A learning environment that is free from sexual harassment shall be maintained. It shall be a violation of policy for any staff member to harass students or for students to harass other students through conduct or communications of a sexual nature. The following definition shall apply as sexual harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature may constitute sexual harassment when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s educational development.
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for education decisions affecting such individual.
3. Such conduct has the purpose of effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

Sexual harassment as defined above may include but is not limited to:

1. Sex-oriented verbal “kidding”, abuse, or harassment;
2. Pressure for sexual activity;
3. Repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications;
4. Unwelcome touching, such as patting, pinching, or constant brushing against another’s body;
5. Suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades or similar personal concerns.

Students should report all incidents of sexual harassment to the building administrator, the building level compliance officer, or other trusted adult. Students may file an informal or formal grievance of sexual harassment through used of the accompanying grievance procedure. If the alleged harasser is the principal with whom a grievance routinely would be filed, the student may file the grievance with the principal’s supervisor. All matters involving sexual harassment complaints shall remain confidential to the extent possible. Filing of a grievance or otherwise reporting sexual harassment shall not reflect upon the individual’s status or affect grades. Notice of this policy shall be circulated to all District schools and departments and incorporated in student handbooks.

Legal References:	Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - 42 U.S.C. § 2000(e) et seq.
	Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
	C.R.S. § 24-34-401 et seq. (Employment Practices)