Sexual Harassment and Assault Information Guide

Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual remarks or behaviors. It can be verbal, physical, or visual. Here are a few examples of sexual harassment.

Verbal:
Making sexual jokes, comments, or spreading rumors targeted at someone (in person or online)
Making sexual jokes or comments about students’ bodies or how they look or act
Making jokes or comments about students’ masculinity or femininity and/or who they are attracted to or love

Physical:
Pulling at or touching someone’s clothing in a sexual manner (like pulling down someone’s pants or snapping a bra strap)
Touching, pinching, or grabbing someone in a sexual way
Brushing up against someone’s body on purpose

Visual:
Posting or sharing sexual comments, pictures, or videos
Pressuring someone to take or send sexual pictures or videos (“nudes”)

It is not your fault. You are not alone.

Scientific research tells us that people who experience traumatic events like sexual harrassment and sexual assault have many different responses in their brains, bodies, feelings, and behaviors. However YOU respond to trauma is OK and is normal.

 

• No one has the right to sexually harass or assault anyone else.
• You have the right to feel safe and respected.
• If you feel like you won’t be harmed, tell them this is not okay and to stop.
• Consider telling a trusted adult if any of these behaviors happen to you. If the trusted adult is a teacher, coach, or school staff, they may have to tell someone else (like a principal, parents, etc.).
• If you’re not sure if you are ready or want to tell a trusted adult at your school, you can talk to them without saying it happened to you (“I have a friend who…”).
• If the first person isn’t helpful, keep trying until you find someone who is.
• Speaking up is a brave thing to do. Don’t be afraid to seek help from someone you trust.

B e l i e v e . L i s t e n . S u p p o r t .

• Believe them! If someone tells you that someone has sexually harassed or assaulted them, know that it is very hard to tell someone about this and that person trusts and respects you enough to share this information. Let them know that what happened is not their fault and you are there to support them.
• Listen without judgment. Give them space and time to tell you what they feel comfortable sharing.
• Ask how you can support them. What you would need might differ from what your friend needs, so always ask. Let your friend decide who else can know.

You can call or chat with any of the resources below 24/7. People who are trained are there to listen and support you no matter what. You don’t have to tell them your name. They can connect you with people and organizations nearby who can help you with questions or needs.

Michigan’s Sexual Assault Hotline (VOICES4)
Text: 866-238-1454 Call: 855-864-2374
Chat: https://mcedsv.org/sexual-violence-hotline-chat/

Michigan’s Domestic/Dating Violence Hotline (VOICEDV)
Text: 877-861-0222 Call: 866-864-2338
Chat: https://mcedsv.org/hotline-domestic-violence/

Youth Resources Web Page
https://mcedsv.org/resources

 

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Information Guide 

Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District

 

District Title IX Coordinator

Josh Townsley

Mikki Spagnoli

 

District Policies Related to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault 

 

Policy 2266

• Sex-based harassment prohibited under this policy and the 2024 Title IX regulations is a form of sex discrimination and means sexual harassment and other harassment on the basis of sex – including on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity – that is: quid pro quo harassment or hostile environment harassment or specific offenses. 

• Sexual assault meaning an offense classified as a forcible or nonforcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

For the complete policy on 2266, visit the district’s nondiscrimination/Title IX webpage at https://www.hsisd.org/resources/nondiscrimination or scan the following. 

The policies prohibit adverse action against a person for reporting sexual harassment and sexual assault.