Schools are more likely to disbelieve and punish women and girls of color STUDENTS (especially Black women and girls), LGBTQI+ students, pregnant and parenting students, and AGAINST SEX disabled students due to stereotypes that label them as “promiscuous,” “aggressive,” less credible, HARASSMENT and/or less deserving of protection. [...] State action is especially important in light of legal and legislative challenges to the new rule from extremists and because, despite the new rule, unduly stringent federal standards for Title IX cases continue to block many students from being able to hold their schools accountable. [...] • Require schools to provide a wide range of supportive measures to students who report sex harassment, including excused absences, counseling, tutoring, homework/exam adjustments, changes in classes/dining/housing schedules, and one-way no-contact orders; continued scholarship/honors eligibility, and the option to retake a class without financial penalty. [...] • Respond to reported harassment by offering supportive measures (regardless of whether there is an investigation), investigating the harassment (if requested by the complainant), and taking any other necessary actions to address the effects of the harassment (e.g., facilitate a restorative process, conduct a school climate survey). [...] In 2023, Colorado became the first state to pass legislation to hold schools accountable for addressing sex, race, disability, and other harassment regardless of whether it would have previously been considered “severe or pervasive.” NWLC staff led a workshop at the 2023 Women’s Convention for students, educators, and advocates on what states and schools can do to prevent and respond to sexual har.
- Pages
- 3
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- PROTECT STUDENTS AGAINST SEX HARASSMENT 1
- Strengthen Prevention Measures. Train all students and staff in K-12 schools and higher education on sex harassment. 2
- Remove police from schools to protect all studentsespecially Black and Indigenous students from sex harassment discipline and violence. 2
- Eliminate dress codes which often promote rape culture rely on sex and race stereotypes and are discriminatorily enforced. 2
- Ensure trans-inclusive access to restrooms locker rooms and sports which reduces sexual assault of transgender and nonbinary students 2
- Require schools to conduct regular climate surveys on student experiences 2
- Support Student Victims Instead of Punishing Them. Require schools to provide a wide range of supportive measures to students 2
- Prohibit schools from disciplining students who report sex harassment for misconduct 2
- Ensure Meaningful Accountability of Schools Require schools to Respond whenever a school employee knows 2
- Respond to reported harassment by offering supportive measures 2
- Respond to harassment the first time it is reported 2
- Pay money damages if a court finds the school liable 2
- Take preventative measures 2
- Require the states department of education to publish a list of schools that have been investigated or sanctioned 2
- Schools are often the first places where people experience sex harassment 3
- These policies take a holistic approach rather than a narrow focus prevent 3
- These policies are critical because they center student survivors academic health and safety needs. 3
- These policies encourage young people to learn from their mistakes 3
