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Sexual Harassment Brochure

Sexual harassment is not acceptable behavior on your college campus or in your career at any time.  There are people and procedures that can help you or a friend address inappropriate behavior that may be sexual harassment.

Every member of the faculty and academic staff, every employee, and every student should understand that incidents of sexual harassment will not be tolerated at King's College.   Sexual harassment is uncivil behavior.  It expresses disrespect.  It abuses authority.  It exploits and undermines relationships based on trust.  It interferes with learning and productive work.  It violates the college's policy against sexual harassment and federal, state and local laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment based upon sex.

No one at this college should have to put up with sexual harassment - not from a teacher, not from a colleague, not from a supervisor, not from any member of this community.  If you believe you are being sexually harassed, you have a right to object to this behavior, by telling the perpetrator to stop.

Most often the most challenging step is to confront the harasser.   Some people may feel comfortable in confronting a person's inappropriate behavior, while others may need help to find ways to confront another person.  There are procedures to address sexual harassment that you and others may face.

In some instances, you may find it necessary to confront the behavior of an acquaintance or even someone you see as a friend.  This can be difficult but in the long run you will be helping them by making them aware that this behavior is unacceptable to you and in our society.

There are people on campus who can help you, so please do what is right for you and seek help.

It's not about sex it's about power   

Sexual Harassment can take place anywhere in the College environment or in the community and can threaten your ability to achieve academically, live in a positive environment or succeed in the workplace.  Sexual harassment can take many forms of unwelcome behavior, including verbal: sexual innuendo and other sexually suggestive comments, humor and jokes about sex or gender-specific traits; offensive written notes or e-mail that are sexual in nature; sexual propositions, insults, or threats; persistent requests for dates despite refusals; nonverbal: leering, whistling, sexually suggestive or insulting sounds, gestures, or visual images; physical: any coerced or unwelcome touching, kissing, or other sexual contact.

If you feel you are being sexually harassed, you have the right to take one or more of the following steps.

Dealing with Sexual Harassment

1.    Say "NO" to the harasser.  Ignoring the situation will not make it go away.  An unequivocal response will help prevent any misunderstanding about whether the behavior is welcome.  Be direct: "I'd like to keep our relationship strictly professional."  If you know of others who have had similar experiences, approach the offender together.

2.    Put it in writing.  Write a letter to the harasser: describe the offensive behavior and why you object to it.  State that you want the harassment to stop.  Keep a copy.

3.    Keep a record of what happened.  Include the date, time, place, and names of the people involved and of witnesses and who said what to whom.

If the harassment does not stop after you take direct action, or if you do not feel comfortable taking direct action yourself, you can discuss the situation confidentially with one of the several college representatives listed below.  While direct action is encouraged and, in some cases, can stop harassment, you are not legally obligated to react before pursuing one of the other alternatives, including filing a formal complaint.

Where To Get Help On Campus

Director of Human Resources, Ms. Erin Savitski, SPHR, located  at 181 N. Franklin St. or call 208-5925.

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Mr. Robert McGonigle, located at 166 N. Franklin St. or call 208-5875.

The Counseling Center located in the Administration Building, room A620 on the sixth floor or call 208-5873.

Campus Ministry, Father Richard Hockman, C.S.C., located on the corner of Franklin and Jackson Street or you can call 208-5890.

Someone that you trust; a member of the faculty, administration or staff, residence life professional staff, resident assistants, and resident counselors who live on campus at King's College.

Refer to your student handbook.

Even if you are not sure that what you are experiencing is sexual harassment, consult with the Director of Human Resources who will help ensure that the problem is handled effectively.  You can speak with representatives from the Counseling Center, Campus Ministry, a faculty member, a member of the administration or staff, residence life professional staff, a Resident Assistant, a Resident Counselor, or the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.

Informal interventions can often resolve complaints.  Inquiries are appropriate whether as a first step or as a continuation of your efforts to resolve the problem.  Complaints regarding employees are filed with the Director of Human Resources, Erin A. Savitski, SPHR.  While complaints regarding students are filed with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Robert B. McGonigle.

King's College's responsibilities include taking appropriate corrective action to reestablish a learning environment free of sexual harassment.