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To: Local School Boards
Schools improving policies and procedures for harassment reporting
Students and staff do not report harrassment and sexual misconduct because they don't feel that they will be believed, or they will be ignored, they will face judgement, blame or retaliation. Policies and procedures the school takes need to be apparent and transparent to help aliviate these assumptions and to show that they are doing the right thing by reporting and that the school is doing the right things to follow through. When the handbook does not cover these, are hard to find in detail, or are vague then schools find cover to avoid responsibility to taking action, providing support and complying with the law. We are asking for changes in current school handbook to show the policies and procedures and that these include continued contact, followup and continued support to those who are victims, those who report or those who are questioned as witnesses. We are wanting to see what you are doing as we are living with the trama daily and need to see that our reporting was looked into and proper channels like Title IX are being followed. Parents, students and staff are asking for proof in policies that you care about the harrassment and sexual misconduct alegations and are taking it seriously. We need to not be left out of the process and it needs to be clearly in the policies and procedures.
Why is this important?
Picture and feel this: You; the parent, student, staff or a community member know it was wrong, maybe even illegal. It happened at the school, you need to report it and want to know what your rights. You are reporting sexual misconduct or harrassment and need to feel supported, heard and protected from the schools. You are vulnerable and not certain of what will become of your report, if anything and if you will be adding to the abuse you already received. You ask around, you look at school handbook and maybe do an internet search. Where to turn? Maybe Title IX comes up, more research but your still asking yourself what will your school do and how will you protect yourself and still speak up. This process needs to be clear to help students, parents and staff to know they are heard, safe and that the law is being followed to protect the victim.
Communication needs to be open after that initial report, you shouldn't have to feel alone. You reported but you were anxious and weren't sure what all needed to be said to the stranger across the table, in a room you may not have ever been in. You should have rights to have others with you and be in a place tht you can be comfortable, maybe sitting on a couch with a beloved stuff animal held tight. Others called in also need ongoing meetings, safe places to answer tough questions that initially they may not feel safe enough to answer. All may need information given to them so they can feel empowered of how the process will move along and how to continue to speak up if they remember something, pamphlets and videos to give them transparency of how this proceeds can help all involved in this.
You gave up personal information to protect yourself and others and because it was the right thing to do. The school must follow the laws for both sides of this sexual misconduct, the school and school board especially wants to protect themselves from lawsuits and all this is happening without transparency for whom initially reported it usually. More can and should be improved in this policy, clearly in the school handbook to help protect the victim or reporter, and to show that their vulnerability was worth it, they did the right thing for all by speaking out. Parents protecting their children need this along with staff, community and the students.
Communication needs to be open after that initial report, you shouldn't have to feel alone. You reported but you were anxious and weren't sure what all needed to be said to the stranger across the table, in a room you may not have ever been in. You should have rights to have others with you and be in a place tht you can be comfortable, maybe sitting on a couch with a beloved stuff animal held tight. Others called in also need ongoing meetings, safe places to answer tough questions that initially they may not feel safe enough to answer. All may need information given to them so they can feel empowered of how the process will move along and how to continue to speak up if they remember something, pamphlets and videos to give them transparency of how this proceeds can help all involved in this.
You gave up personal information to protect yourself and others and because it was the right thing to do. The school must follow the laws for both sides of this sexual misconduct, the school and school board especially wants to protect themselves from lawsuits and all this is happening without transparency for whom initially reported it usually. More can and should be improved in this policy, clearly in the school handbook to help protect the victim or reporter, and to show that their vulnerability was worth it, they did the right thing for all by speaking out. Parents protecting their children need this along with staff, community and the students.
