APPENDIX D

WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU

Follow the sexual harassment policy and procedure that is used by your school, district, or workplace. If there is no existing policy and procedure, use this one.

Step 1: Communicate to your harasser

• what you are feeling, and
• that you expect the behavior to stop.
• You may so this verbally or in writing. If you choose, you may get help and support from a friend, parent, professional, or other trusted adult.

Step 2: If the behavior is repeated, go to a person in authority, such as a principal, counselor, complaint manager, or supervisor. Document exactly what happened. Give a copy of your written record to the authority, and keep one for yourself.

Your documentation should include the following information. Use exact quotes where appropriate and whenever possible.

• * what happened
• * when it happened
• * where it happened
• * who did the harassing
• * who the witnesses were (if any)
• * what you said and/or did in response to the harassment
• * how your harasser responded to you
• * how you felt about the harassment

Step 3: If the behavior is repeated again, go though a person in higher authority, such as a school board member, the superintendent of schools, the company president, etc. Keep documenting the behavior.

At any point in this process, you may choose to contact the Office of Civil Rights, your State Department of Education, your State Department of Human Rights, an attorney, or a police officer.

RESOURCE AGENCIES

1. Office of Civil Rights ____________________________________________________

2. Department of Education________________________________________________

3. Department of Human Rights____________________________________________

4. Local Program for Victims of Sexual Assault________________________________

5. Police/Sheriff's Department_____________________________________________

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO HELP STOP SEXUAL HARASSMENT?

If you see or hear of someone being harassed, you can help potential victims become more assertive in response to behaviors they don=t like.

You can give victims the support they need to get them help from appropriate adults.

You can also help potential harassers pay attention and appreciate the effect they have on others.

Sexual Harassment Resolution:

• Give verbal support to victim.
• Encourage victim to write down all incidents, times, places, witnesses and effect it had on them.
• Victim can write a letter to harasser.
• Go with the victim to designated teacher or counselor.
• Teacher and victim can decide next step: teacher talks with harasser, teacher talks with both parties together.

If the Situation is NOT Resolved:

• Victim takes written log and reports harassment to administrator.
• Administrator talks with harasser.
• Administrator talks with harasser and parents.
• Consequences are decided: education, service, suspension, expulsion.
• If action is not taken or behavior doesn't stop, victim may report to Affirmative Action Officer at the School Board office.

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