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Harassment Policy
Harassment Policy
Student Section
Adopted by the Department of Education
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
December, 1998
Policy #5140.05 for elementary and secondary students
1. Harassment can take many forms. Harassment can occur at any school activity, and/or can take place in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, or even at programs sponsored by the school at other locations. It does not include compliments of a socially acceptable nature. Harassment is verbal or physical conduct that embarrasses, denigrates, or shows hostility toward a person because of his/her race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
2. It is the policy of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Columbus to maintain a working and academic environment, in all programs and activities, free of all forms of harassment and intimidation. No student, teacher, or other staff member - male or female - should be subject to harassment in any form, and specifically not to unsolicited and/or unwelcome sexual overtures or conduct, either verbal or physical.
3. Conduct which constitutes sexual harassment is prohibited. Sexually harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Sexual harassment also includes the taking of, or refusal to take, any school or academic action on the basis of a person's submission to or refusal of sexual overtures. No person should so much as imply that an individual's "cooperation" or submission to unwelcome sexual activity will have any effect on the individual's assignment, advancement, development, academic evaluation, participation in school programs or activities, or any other condition of school or academic achievement.
Not all physical conduct is necessarily considered sexual in nature.
(For example, a coach hugging a student after an accomplishment, a teacher consoling a child with an injury, or physical conduct during athletic events would not be considered sexual conduct.) However, peer-based sexual harassment (e.g. student to student) can be a form of prohibited conduct where the harassing conduct creates a hostile environment.4. A sexually hostile environment can be created by a school employee, volunteer, another student, or a visitor to the school.
5. Anyone who experiences what they believe is harassing conduct must bring it to the attention of an appropriate person at the school, or at the superintendent's office. Any person who believes they are subject to harassment or intimidation should contact either the principal, assistant principal, or pastor at the elementary level; and the principal, assistant principal, or superintendent at the secondary level. A complaint should be filed in writing. In case of harassment involving a student or students, the parents or guardians of the respective students shall be duly notified. In the event that an individual alleges harassment by a principal, assistant principal or a pastor, the individual may file the complaint with the superintendent. All complaints will be promptly investigated, and the person initiating the complaint will be advised of the outcome of the investigation.
A student who believes he or she has been sexually harassed (or a parent who believes that their child has been harassed) should immediately report it to a responsible school official.
6. Where it is determined that improper harassment has occurred, the school will take immediate disciplinary action against any administrator, teacher, staff or student engaging in harassment. The response shall take into account and be considered to be appropriate for the ages of the individuals and circumstances.
7. No retaliation against anyone who reports harassment will be tolerated. The Diocese prohibits such retaliation and will take appropriate responsive action if retaliation occurs.
8. Any knowingly false charge or harassment made for the purpose of harming a person's reputation will have very serious consequences, which may include, depending on the circumstances, termination of participation in programs, suspension, or expulsion.