Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination. Sexual harassment and sexual violence are prohibited under both Federal and State Title IX laws. Should sexual harassment be alleged, it is the policy of the New Haven Board of Education that the allegation(s) shall be thoroughly investigated, that there shall be no retaliation against the victim of the alleged harassment, and that the issue shall be expeditiously and appropriately addressed. Teachers and other school staff who witness or receive reports of sexual harassment are required to notify the appropriate administrator within one (1) school day. No form of sexual harassment will be tolerated in the New Haven Public Schools.

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances or request for sexual favors or any verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment; when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term for condition of an individual’s employment, or their academic status or progress. Sexual harassment is not limited to prohibited behavior by a male toward a female, or by a supervisory employee toward a non-supervisory employee, or a teacher to a student. Harassment may be student, teacher student, student teacher or teacher to teacher. The victim does not have to be the opposite sex of the harasser. The gender of the complaint and/or the alleged harasser is irrelevant, even if they are of the same gender. Sexual harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identify is also prohibited under State law. Sexual harassment can involve staff members, students, vendors, independent contractors, volunteers, or parents.