3205 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
This NWESD 189 is committed to a positive and productive education free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. This commitment extends to all students involved in any of its cooperative programs, whether that program or activity is in a NWESD 189 facility or at a class or school training held elsewhere.
Definitions
For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment means unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to student, or can be carried out by a group of students or adults and will be investigated by the NWESD 189 even if the alleged harasser is not a part of the program staff or student body. The NWESD 189 prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees, or third parties involved in NWESD 189 activities.
The term “sexual harassment” includes:
- acts of sexual violence;
- unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication that interferes with an individual’s educational performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment;
- unwelcome sexual advances;
- unwelcome requests for sexual favors;
- sexual demands when submission is a stated or implied condition of obtaining an educational benefit;
- sexual demands where submission or rejection is a factor in an academic, or other school-related decision affecting an individual.
A “hostile environment” has been created for a student when sexual harassment is sufficiently serious to interfere with or limit the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the NWESD 189 program. The more severe the conduct, the less need there is to demonstrate a repetitive series of incidents. In fact, a single or isolated incident of sexual harassment may create a hostile environment if the incident is sufficiently severe, violent, or egregious.
Investigation and Response
If the NWESD 189 knows, or reasonably should know, that sexual harassment has created a hostile environment, it will promptly investigate to determine what occurred and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. If an investigation reveals that sexual harassment has created a hostile environment, the NWESD 189 will take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the sexual harassment, eliminate the hostile environment, prevent its recurrence and as appropriate, remedy its effects. The NWESD 189 will take prompt, equitable and remedial action within its authority on reports, complaints and grievances alleging sexual harassment that come to the attention of the NWESD 189, either formally or informally. The NWESD 189 will take these steps every time a complaint, alleging sexual harassment comes to the attention of the NWESD 189, either formally or informally.
Allegations of criminal misconduct will be reported to law enforcement and suspected child abuse will be reported to law enforcement or Child Protective Services. Regardless of whether the misconduct is reported to law enforcement, program staff will promptly investigate to determine what occurred and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation, to the extent that such investigation does not interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation. A criminal investigation does not relieve the NWESD 189 of its independent obligation to investigate and resolve sexual harassment.
Engaging in sexual harassment will result in appropriate discipline or other appropriate sanctions against offending students, staff, or other third parties involved in NWESD 189 activities. Anyone else who engages in sexual harassment on NWESD 189 property or at program activities will have his/her access to NWESD 189 property and activities restricted, as appropriate.
Retaliation and False Allegations
Retaliation against any person who makes or is a witness in a sexual harassment complaint is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. The NWESD 189 will take appropriate actions to protect involved persons from retaliation.
It is a violation of this policy to knowingly report false allegations of sexual harassment. Persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline.
Staff Responsibilities
The Superintendent will develop and implement formal and informal procedures for receiving, investigating and resolving complaints or reports of sexual harassment. The procedures will include reasonable and prompt timelines and delineate staff responsibilities under this policy.
Any NWESD 189 employee who witnesses sexual harassment or receives a report, informal complaint, or written complaint about sexual harassment is responsible for informing the NWESD 189 Compliance Officer. All staff are also responsible for directing complainants to the formal complaint process.
Reports of discrimination and discriminatory harassment will be referred to the NWESD 189’s Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer. Reports of disability discrimination or harassment will be referred to the NWESD 189’s Section 504 Officer.
NWESD 189 staff, including employees, contractors, and agents shall not provide a recommendation of employment for an employee, contractor, or agent that the NWESD 189, or the individual acting on behalf of the NWESD 189, knows or has probable cause to believe, has engaged in sexual misconduct with a student or minor in violation of the law.
Notice and Training
The Superintendent will develop procedures to provide age-appropriate information and education to NWESD 189 staff, students, parents and volunteers regarding this policy and the recognition and prevention of sexual harassment. At a minimum, sexual harassment recognition and prevention and the elements of this policy will be included in staff, student, and regular volunteer orientation. This policy and the procedure, which includes the complaint process, will be posted in each NWESD 189 facility in a place available to staff, students, parents, volunteers, and visitors. Information about the policy and procedure will be clearly stated and conspicuously posted throughout each NWESD 189 program facility, provided to each employee and reproduced in each student, staff, volunteer, and parent/guardian handbook. Such notices will identify the NWESD 189’s Compliance Officer and provide contact information, including the Compliance Officer’s email address.
Policy Review
The Superintendent will, when requested, make an annual report to the Board reviewing the use and efficacy of this policy and related procedures. Recommendations for changes to this policy, if applicable, may be included in the report.
First Reading: 08/26/15
Second Reading: 09/24/15
Revised: 10/26/16
Revised: 09/24/20
Revised: 09/23/24
Revised: 02/24/25
Reference:
RCW 28a.640.020
WAC 392-190-058
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688
34 C.F.R. § 106
Cross Reference:
Policy 3207
Policy 3210
Policy 3211
Policy 3240
Policy 3421
Policy 5010
Policy 5011
Date Revised: 2/24/25