Anti-Harassment Statement and Definitions

The Richmond Middle School is committed to providing all members of the school community with a safe and supportive learning and working environment. Members of the school community are expected to treat each other with mutual respect and to accept the rich diversity that makes up the community. Disrespect among members of the school community is unacceptable behavior that threatens to disrupt the learning environment and decrease self-esteem. Harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination as well as disrespectful behavior that will not be tolerated.

Examples of specific types of prohibited harassment are listed below:

Disability Harassment  - Disability harassment includes harassment based on a person's actual or perceived disabling mental or physical condition and includes any unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct, directed at the characteristics of a person's disabling condition, such as imitating manner of speech or movement, or interference with necessary equipment.

Gender-Based Harassment - If an individual is treated or dealt with in a manner that is based in historical gender stereotypes differently because of their gender or perceived gender and/or required to conform to a specific standard historically associated with their gender, that is gender discrimination regardless of intent, and that is not permissible. 

Marital Status Harassment - Harassment on the basis of marital status is unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct, directed at the characteristics of a person's or their family member’s actual or perceived marital status. 

National Origin Harassment - Harassment on the basis of national origin is unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct, directed at the characteristic of a person's actual or perceived national origin such as negative comments regarding surnames, manner of speaking, customs, language, or racial/ethnic slurs. 

Racial Harassment - Racial harassment, which means conduct directed at the characteristics of a student’s or a student’s family member’s actual or perceived race or color, and includes the use of epithets, stereotypes, racial slurs, comments, insults, derogatory remarks, gestures, threats, graffiti, display, or circulation of written or visual material, and taunts on manner of speech and negative references to cultural customs.

Religious (creed) Harassment - Harassment on the basis of religion or creed is unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct, directed at the characteristics of a person's or a family member’s actual or perceived religion or creed, such as derogatory comments regarding names, religious tradition, religious clothing,  religious slurs, or graffiti. 

Sexual Harassment: Sexual Harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: A. Submission to that conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of that person's position. B. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a component of the basis for decisions affecting that person. C. The conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with a person's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Examples of sexual harassment include: Unwelcome sexual advances or unwelcome requests for sexual favors, Explicit or subtle pressure for sexual favors, Physical contact of a sexual nature including unwelcome touching, patting, hugging, pinching, and other sexually motivated physical conduct, Sexually suggestive or obscene comments, and Sexually suggestive/obscene written or visual material publicly displayed or directed at another person.

Sexual Orientation Harassment - Harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation is unwelcome verbal, written. or physical conduct, directed at the characteristics of a person's sexual orientation, such as use of epithets, stereotypes, slurs, comments, insults, derogatory remarks, gestures, threats, graffiti, display, or circulation of written or visual material, and taunts.

 

HARASSMENT IS NOT ALLOWED AT RICHMOND - BY ANYONE!

• No student may harass another student or an adult in the school.
• No adult may harass a student or another adult.

                                                                                                                                   

THINK ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOR: DO YOU HARASS OTHER PEOPLE?

• Do you make unwelcome comments or “jokes” about others?
• Does your behavior make another person uncomfortable?                                                           

Just because a person does not object to your behavior does not mean that your behavior is okay– that person may not feel comfortable objecting.

NOTE: Anyone who intimidates a person for reporting harassment will be strongly disciplined.
 

TAKE ACTION! Harassment usually won’t stop unless the victim objects. If you think you are being harassed, you need to take action in one of the following ways:

• Tell the offender directly that their behavior is unwelcome and offensive. Demand that the offensive behavior stop immediately.
• Tell someone who can help. If you feel uncomfortable confronting the offender, or if the offensive behavior continues after you have objected to it, talk with your parent or a trusted adult at school.
• Report the harassment to one of Richmond’s Title IX designees. Their job is to listen and ask questions about the behavior that troubles you.

                                                           

WHAT HAPPENS TO OFFENDERS?                                                     

• If you report harassment to the Title IX Counselor, he/she may, with your permission, meet with the person you reported.
• If that person admits that they harassed you, the counselor will report the incident to the administration. If the offender is a student, their parents will be contacted. If the alleged offender denies harassing you, the counselor or administrator will conduct an investigation and inform you of the result.

                                                           

HARASSMENT IS ILLEGAL!

• Because harassment is illegal, the counselor must report to the state any instance of sexual harassment that can be considered sexual abuse against a person younger than 18.                                                           
• Harassment violates Richmond School policy and poisons the community environment at our school. Let’s work together to prevent harassment!