Potential Examples of Verbal, Non-Verbal, and Physical Sexual Harassment
Verbal
• Telling jokes sexual in nature
• Referring to someone as being attractive, or complimenting their clothes
• Discussing a person’s sex life, whether true or noted to be a rumor
• Requesting for an individual, who is not interested, to go on a date
• Asking questions that are considered personal or private information
Non-Verbal
• Looking at someone and making them feel uncomfortable
• Expressions such as winking, kissing noises, or sexually suggestive lip movements
• Written messages, emails, texts, or social media communication sexual in nature
• Standing or sitting too close to an individual, invading their personal space
• Displaying and/or sharing sexually explicit photos
Physical
• Feeling, touching, or caressing of oneself inappropriately
• Feeling, touching, or caressing someone else
• Showing private body parts to another individual
• ‘Accidentally’ rubbing/brushing against another person
• Hugging someone without their permission
As the Title IX Coordinator for the university, it is my role to investigate, or facilitate an investigation, into any concerns of sexual harassment within our campus community. If you have a concern, please contact me at abolden01@spalding.edu, by phone at 502-873-4320 or come directly to my office on the 2nd floor of the Third Street Academic Center. if you have questions or wish to make a report. Faculty and Staff may also go directly to Jana Abrams, Director of Human Resource at jabrams01@spalding.edu or 502-873-4345.
Please note that all Faculty and Staff are considered Mandated Reporters and are required to inform the Title IX Coordinator of any possible incidents of sexual harassment, assault or misconduct relating to current students. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially the Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CaPS) is the only location on campus not mandated to report. You may reach CaPS at caps@spalding.edu.
Please review the following policies and procedures from our Student Handbook and Faculty/Staff Policy Guide respectively.
From the Student Handbook 2022-2023
Sexual Harassment
While sexual harassment is an aspect of sexual misconduct, this behavior is so unacceptable in a University environment that it warrants separate treatment. Sexual harassment of students, faculty, and staff will not be tolerated. Actions which come within the definition of sexual harassment provided herein will be grounds for disciplinary action even resulting in expulsion from the University or termination of employment.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other conduct of a sexual nature when submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for an academic or personnel decision affecting that individual. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the affected person’s academic, professional, or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment. Such conduct is abusive and implies, in an abusive manner, a discriminatory hostility toward the personal or professional interests of the affected individual because of the individual’s gender.
Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of contexts. In relationships of unequal power, it contains an element of coercion, as when compliance with requests for sexual favors becomes a criterion for granting work, study, or grading benefits. In relationships among equals, sexual harassment may have a harmful effect upon the ability of a peer to study or work in the academic setting.
The procedures outlined herein provide only for an internal resolution of sexual harassment complaints. Sexual harassment also is a violation of state and federal law and, therefore, other remedies may be available.
7.2.1.2.5.1 Special Procedure for Sexual Harassment Complaints by Students
Students may report sexual harassment by another student to the Office for Student Development and Campus Life and the standard procedures for other violations of University policy may be followed. However, if the complaint is made against an employee of the University, a student should consult with the Dean of Student Development and Campus Life, or with the Vice President who oversees Student Life.
If the complainant wishes to attempt to resolve the problem using informal procedures, he or she should prepare a written account of the incident(s) that caused offense. Resolution of a sexual harassment complaint using informal procedures involves written or oral communication with the alleged harasser, and may involve the department head, the dean, and vice president of the area.
Should the informal procedure be unsatisfactory for the complainant, or if the complainant wishes to bypass the informal method of resolution, the complainant may file a formal grievance with the Office of Student Development and Campus Life, the Vice President who oversees Student Life, the person directing Human Resources, or the General Counsel for the University. (The process for grievances is outlined below in Section 7.3.)
From the Faculty/Staff Policy Guide 2022-2023
2.1.11: Sexual Harassment Policy
The University is committed to maintaining a positive learning and working environment for its students, faculty and staff and will not tolerate sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that violates University policy. It is also illegal under state and federal law. For the purposes of this Volume, Spalding University defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favor or other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, whether committed on or off campus, when:
- Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic advancement;
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis or threatened to be used as the basis for employment or academic decisions or assessments affecting an individual; or
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance or creating an intimidating or hostile environment for work or learning.
Sexual harassment may involve individuals of the same or different sexes. Men as well as women can be victims of sexual harassment. All employees and students are accountable for compliance with this University policy. Established violations will lead to disciplinary actions which may include termination of employment or permanent expulsion from the University. This policy applies to all administrators and supervisors, regular and temporary faculty members, teaching and research assistants, staff members, and students. It pertains to actions that affect any employee, student or guest of the University.
The University can respond to specific instances and allegations of harassment only if it is aware of them. The University therefore encourages individuals who believe they have experienced sexual harassment to promptly report such information to an immediate supervisor, the Human Resources Director or the Corporate General Counsel. Any employee who becomes aware of any such objectionable conduct by any employee, supervisor, manager, or by anyone else, including outside vendors or students when inflicted on any employee, must immediately advise an immediate supervisor, or if that is not possible, then the Human Resources Director, or the Corporate General Counsel. All allegations will be promptly investigated according to the following policies and procedures:
- All information reported will be held in strictest confidence and will only be disclosed on a need-to-know basis in order to investigate and resolve the matter.
- Any investigation will be undertaken immediately to ascertain the pertinent facts.
- After the investigation, any person who has been found by the University to have acted inappropriately, even if it does not rise to the level of sexual harassment under the law, will be subject to disciplinary action depending on the circumstances, from a warning in their file up to and including termination.
- Any retaliatory action of any kind taken by any person as a result of an individual making a report of sexual harassment is prohibited and shall be regarded as a separate and distinct cause for complaint.
In the event of an actual sexual assault, Campus Security and the police will be notified immediately. Once the facts of the case are determined, the investigative staff will meet with local police for the purpose of providing copies of reports and other pertinent information and to obtain advice and guidance. If the victim refuses to press charges, the case will be investigated by the University, and the final disposition will be determined by the President. If the victim decides to press charges at a later time, the matter will be referred to the local police.
The University trusts that all its employees will act responsibly to maintain a working environment free of discrimination and retaliation. The University encourages employees to raise questions regarding sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation with an immediate supervisor.