Anti-Harassment Statement and Definitions

 

The Richmond Middle School learning community is dedicated to providing all students, staff, and visitors with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. In alignment with our S.P.I.R.I.T. values of Inclusion and Respect, members of our school community are expected to treat one another with dignity and celebrate our rich diversity. 

Disrespectful behavior disrupts the learning environment, damages relationships, and hurts individuals. Harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination and a direct violation of our community standards. Harassment is not allowed at Richmond, by anyone, at any time. 

 

Types of Prohibited Harassment

Harassment Type	Definition & Examples
Disability	Unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct directed at an individual's actual or perceived physical or mental condition (e.g., imitating speech, mimicking movements, or interfering with medical/mobility equipment).
Gender-Based	Treating an individual differently based on gender or perceived gender, or forcing conformity to historical gender stereotypes. This constitutes discrimination regardless of intent.
Marital Status	Unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct directed at the actual or perceived marital status of an individual or their household members.
National Origin	Unwelcome conduct directed at a person's actual or perceived country of origin, ancestry, or cultural background (e.g., negative comments regarding surnames, customs, language accents, or ethnic slurs).
Racial	Conduct directed at actual or perceived race, skin color, or cultural customs. This includes epithets, racial slurs, derogatory remarks, insults, gestures, threats, or the display/circulation of offensive written or visual material.
Religious (Creed)	Unwelcome conduct directed at an individual's or family member’s actual or perceived religion or creed (e.g., derogatory comments about traditions, names, religious clothing, slurs, or graffiti).
Sexual Orientation	Unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct directed at an individual’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, including slurs, insults, threats, stereotyping, or derogatory gestures.

 

Understanding Sexual Harassment (Title IX) 

Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: 

• Submission to the conduct is made an explicit or implicit condition of a person’s academic status or school standing. 
• Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for decisions affecting that individual. 
• The conduct severely interferes with a person's school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment. 

 

Examples include: Explicit or subtle pressure for sexual favors; unwelcome physical touching, hugging, or pinching; sexually suggestive or obscene comments/jokes; and the public display or targeting of sexually explicit written or visual materials. 

Reflecting on Your Action & Impact 

A Note on Consent: Just because a peer does not explicitly object to your behavior does not mean it is okay. They may feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or unsafe speaking up at the moment. 

To keep our community strong, we ask every student to pause and honestly consider: 

• Do I make unwelcome comments or "jokes" about other people? 
• Does my behavior or body language make another person feel uncomfortable or unsafe? 

Take Action: What to Do If You Experience Harassment 

Harassment rarely stops unless it is addressed. If you believe you are experiencing harassment, please use one of these pathways to take action: 

• Speak Up: Tell the person directly that their behavior is unwelcome and offensive. Clearly state that the behavior needs to stop immediately. 
• Tell a Trusted Adult: If you feel uncomfortable confronting the person, or if the behavior continues after you have asked them to stop, share what is happening with a family member, caregiver, or a trusted adult at school. 
• Report Directly to Staff: Report the situation to a building administrator or to our school counselors, Kim Bragg or Elizabeth Powers. Their primary job is to listen, ensure your safety, and guide you through your options. 

What Happens Next? 

Supportive Steps: With your permission, a school counselor or administrator may meet with the individual reported to address the behavior. 

Investigation & Accountability: If the individual acknowledges the behavior, administration will step in to implement restorative actions and appropriate disciplinary consequences. If the behavior is denied, a thorough investigation will be conducted, and you will be informed of the results. Families and caregivers of involved students will be contacted. 

Protection from Retaliation: Anyone who threatens, intimidates, or retaliates against a person for reporting harassment will face immediate, significant disciplinary action. 

Legal Mandates: Because harassment is prohibited by law, school staff are legally mandated to report to state authorities any instance of sexual harassment that meets the criteria for child abuse or sexual assault against a minor.