Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Linda Langford" <>]

Dear Kathy,

 

You asked:

>> What are your thoughts about approaching sexual assault as a form of
sexual harassment?  Are there laws and codes that support this?

 

I can't speak to what the question of what campuses do procedurally, but
the following article addresses your broader question about the legal
basis for considering sexual assault to be considered a form of sexual
harassment: 

"Title IX Requires Colleges & Universities To Eliminate The Hostile
Environment Caused By Campus Sexual Assault: A Guide To Understanding
What Is Expected Of Colleges & Universities Under Federal Gender Equity
Requirements When A Sexual Assault Is Reported"

By Holly Hogan, Legal Intern, Security On Campus, Inc.

http://www.securityoncampus.org/victims/titleixsummary.html

 

P.S. I'm not a lawyer, so I won't vouch for the legal content. Note that
acts have to meet certain criteria in order to be considered sexual
harassment and not all sexual assaults will qualify, i.e. (paraphrased)
the college or university has to have known or reasonably should have
known of possible sexual harassment and the experience has to be shown
to affect the student's educational opportunities. 

 

I hope this is helpful,

Linda Langford

 

Linda Langford, Sc.D.

Associate Center Director, Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other
Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention

www.HigherEdCenter.org

Education Development Center, Inc.

55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA  02458-1060

voice (800) 676-1730 x2719 OR (617) 618-2719 (direct line)

fax (617) 928-1537