Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying, and Suicide Prevention
Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying, and Suicide Prevention
Includes sexual harassment, hate violence, intimidation, cyberbullying, and suicide prevention
The Carmel Unified School District is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment that is free from bullying and harassment. This page is intended to serve as a resource to students, families and staff.
Who is the district's Title IX Coordinator and Complaint Officer?
Jackie Moran, Title IX Coordinator
831-624-1546, extension 2024
titleix@carmelunified.org
Sharon Ofek, Superintendent-Complaint Officer
831-624-1546, extension 2021
sofek@carmelunified.org
What are the district's policies related to suicide prevention, sexual harassment, hate violence, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and cyberbullying?
- Link to the district's policy on student suicide prevention (#5141.52). Link to the district's regulations on student suicide prevention (#5141.52)
(Note: The suicide prevention policy and regulations are geared primarily at students in grades 6 through 12.) - Link to the district's policy on Nondiscrimination/Harassment (#5145.3).
- Link to Nondiscrimination/Harassment Regulations
- Link to the district's policy on Sexual Harassment (#5145.7)
- Link to Sexual Harassment Regulations
- Link to the district's regulations about Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures (5145.71)
- Link to the district's policy on Hate-Motivated Behavior (#5145.9)
- Link to the district’s policy about Bullying - includes cyberbullying (5131.2). Possible forums for cyberbullying (or social media bullying) include Internet websites with free registration and ease of registration or offering peer-to-peer instant messaging, comment forums/sections or image/video posting platforms.
- Link to the district’s regulations about Bullying/cyberbullying
- Link to Uniform Complaint Procedure Form
Where can I get help for suicide prevention?
You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the National Suicide Prevention webite here.
What is the legal definition of harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex?
(a) On the basis of sex, exclusion of a person or persons from participation in, denial of the benefits of, or subjection to harassment or other discrimination in, any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other program or activity.
(b) On the basis of sex, provision of different amounts or types of student financial aid, limitation of eligibility for student financial aid, or the application of different criteria to applicants for student financial aid or for participation in the provision of student financial aid by others. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit an educational institution from administering, or assisting in the administration of, scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of student financial aid, established pursuant to domestic or foreign wills, bequests, trusts, or similar legal instruments or by acts of a foreign government, which require that awards be made to members of a particular sex; provided, that the overall effect of the award of these sex-restricted scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of student financial aid does not discriminate on the basis of sex.
(c) On the basis of sex, exclusion from participation in, or denial of equivalent opportunity in, athletic programs. For purposes of this subdivision, “equivalent” means equal or equal in effect.
(d) An educational institution may be found to have effectively accommodated the interests and abilities in athletics of both sexes within the meaning of Section 4922 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations as that section exists on January 1, 2003, using any one of the following tests:
(1) Whether interscholastic level participation opportunities for male and female pupils are provided in numbers substantially proportionate to their respective enrollments.
(2) Where the members of one sex have been and are underrepresented among interscholastic athletes, whether the school district can show a history and continuing practice of program expansion that is demonstrably responsive to the developing interest and abilities of the members of that sex.
(3) Where the members of one sex are underrepresented among interscholastic athletes, and the institution cannot show a history and continuing practice of program expansion as required in paragraph (2), whether the school district can demonstrate that the interest and abilities of the members of that sex have been fully and effectively accommodated by the present program.
(e) If an educational institution must cut its athletic budget, the educational institution shall do so consistently with its legal obligation to comply with both state and federal gender equity laws.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the three-part test articulated in subdivision (d) be interpreted as it has been in the policies and regulations of the Office of Civil Rights in effect on January 1, 2003.
(g) On the basis of sex, harassment or other discrimination among persons, including, but not limited to, students and nonstudents, or academic and nonacademic personnel, in employment and the conditions thereof, except as it relates to a bona fide occupational qualification.
(h) On the basis of sex, the application of any rule concerning the actual or potential parental, family, or marital status of a person, or the exclusion of any person from any program or activity or employment because of pregnancy or related conditions.
What are my rights under California Education Code and Federal Title IX law?
(a) You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
(b) You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
(c) You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
(d) You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
(e) You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following:
(1) Equipment and supplies.
(2) Scheduling of games and practices.
(3) Transportation and daily allowances.
(4) Access to tutoring.
(5) Coaching.
(6) Locker rooms.
(7) Practice and competitive facilities.
(8) Medical and training facilities and services.
(9) Publicity.
(f) You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.
(g) You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
(h) You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
(i) You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
(j) You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.
How do I file a complaint under Title IX or a complaint related to discrimination or sexual harassment?
The district uses a standardized process called the Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) for filing, investigating and resolving complaints.
- Here is a form to file a UCP. Here is the UCP form en Espanol. It includes an explanation of the statute of limitations within which a complaint must be filed after an alleged incident of discrimination has occurred, and how a complaint may be filed beyond the statute of limitations.
- This link gives more guidance specific to how the district addresses sexual harassment complaints.
- This is the link to the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights complaints form. Contact information for the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights: 1-800-421-3481. Email: ocr@ed.gov
Where can I find guidance and resources from the California Equal Opportunity & Access Department and the U.S. Office of Civil Rights?
- Link to CDE Equal Opportunity & Access web page
- Link to United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights web page
What are some other local resources?