• Title IX - Sexual Harassment FAQ

    What is sexual harassment?

    Sexual harassment may include the following:

    • Unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex that is severe, pervasive, and/or objectively offensive
    • Sexual assault
    • Dating violence on the basis of sex
    • Domestic violence on the basis of sex
    • Stalking on the basis of sex

    What are some examples of sexual harassment?

    • unwanted, unwelcome physical contact, such as touching, hugging, bumping, grabbing, or patting
    • sexually insulting remarks about race, gender, ability, or class
    • bragging about sexual prowess for others to hear
    • intimidating hallway behavior, which can include demeaning nicknames, name-calling, cat calls, or embarrassing whistles
    • graffiti with names written on walls or desks; a common example is: "for a good time, call...”
    • being followed around by another student / being stalked

    How do I report sexual harassment?

    You can report to any CUSD staff member, CHS Administrator, and/or local law enforcement via in person, email, or phone call.

    These are the administrators at CHS regarding sexual harassment and Title IX (a federal law that applies to sexual harassment cases):

    Can I report anonymously?

    Yes, you may report any form of sexual discrimination anonymously by using the WeTIP line at 1-800-78CRIME or online at https://www.wetip.com/submit-a-tip/

    What if I need help, but I am not sure I want to file a formal complaint?  

    CHS can offer you supportive measures which could include counseling, class arrangements, and other supports as reasonably available. 

    What types of supportive measures are available?

    Supportive measures may include, as appropriate: counseling, referrals to health, mental health, and/or wellness services, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of class or school-related activity schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and other similar measures.

    If I share a sexual harassment incident with a staff member, does it have to be reported to CHS administration? 

    All sexual harassment incidents that are shared with non-confidential employees (such as teachers) must be reported to the CHS administration.  If the names of the harasser or witnesses are not shared, it may limit the school’s ability to investigate the incident.

    If you share the incident with a confidential employee, they are not mandated to report it to CHS administration unless they determine that you or someone is physically in danger.  Confidential employees on campus our Tara Peterson (tpeterson@carmelunified.org) and Lorena Cruz-Rodriguez (lcruzrodriguez@carmelunified.org), who are Carmel High School’s Social Worker and Licenced Marriage Family Therapist, respectively.  They both reside in the Wellness Center. SRO Brian Postadan is bpostadan@carmelunified.org is also a confidential resource on campus. He can be found in the main office.  

    Is there support that I can receive off campus?

    Yes.  You can receive support 24/7 from the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center at their hotlines:  (831) 375-4357, and (831) 424-4357.

     Also, you are able to contact Care Solace who provide Personal/Family Mental Health support at (888) 515-0595 or www.caresolace.com/carmelusd

    What if the supportive measures are not working?

    Please notify CHS administrators if you feel your supportive measures are not helping or if you are struggling to maintain equal access to your education program or activity. Supportive measures can be adjusted as reasonably necessary to provide equal access to your educational program or activity.

    What if I am being accused of sexual harassment and need help?

    If a complaint has been filed against you, CHS will offer you supportive measures to preserve equal access to your education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party.

    If I formally file a complaint, can I bring someone with me to the meetings or interviews? 

    Yes, you may bring your parent, a friend, a CHS staff member, counselor, therapist, or social worker to help you through this process.

    Will my participation in the sexual harassment process be confidential?

    Yes and no. It is CHS Administrators’ job to maintain confidentiality of the identity of anyone who has reported sexual harassment, made a formal complaint of sexual harassment, any individual reported to be a perpetrator of sexual harassment, any respondent, and any witness. In other words, CHS cannot make these identities public. However, the identities of the complainant, witnesses, and respondent will be revealed to others who are part of the confidential complaint process so that the involved parties have full opportunity to review and respond to the evidence before a decision is made. Also, the parties, and their families will receive information about the status of the investigation as it moves forward. When an investigation involves witnesses, those witnesses may learn about the identities of the parties when they are asked relevant and directly related questions about the complaint, but those witnesses are directed to maintain confidentiality. 

    In some rare circumstances, the District could be ordered to release confidential information about a complaint process by a government agency or court. If this happens, the District would let you know ahead of time if information about the complaint process must be released. 

    In summary, CHS does not release confidential information to the public about the complaint process, but the Title IX team may release confidential information about the allegations or responses to the allegations to those within the complaint process in order to conduct a fair and thorough process.

    What do “complainant” and “respondent” mean?

    If you are the victim of sexual harassment or assault, and you report it, you are the complainant. The person being accused is called the respondent.

    Can the complainant or respondent talk about the complaint to others?

    To some extent, yes. CHS will not restrict the ability of a complainant or respondent to discuss the allegations under investigation or to gather and present relevant information. However, the Complainant and Respondent cannot threaten, coerce, harass, or otherwise retaliate against each other and people involved, or potentially involved, in the investigation

    What if an incident occurs between students off campus?

    The school can still offer supportive measures at school. In some cases, the school will not have jurisdiction to impose discipline for off-campus incidents that are not related to school. However, school staff has an obligation to report off-campus sexual assault/harassment incidents to law enforcement when we learn of them.