Title IX
Title IX | Sexual Harassment
Sex-based harassment is a form of sex discrimination that includes harassment on the basis of sex, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, or other protected classifications described in 34 CFR 106.2 and 106.11.
What Is Sexual Harassment?
Sex-based harassment includes unwelcome conduct or harassment on the basis of sex that meets federal definitions. It may involve quid pro quo harassment—when a district employee offers aid, benefit, or a service in exchange for participation in unwelcome sexual conduct—or hostile environment harassment, which is unwelcome sex-based conduct that is objectively offensive and so severe and pervasive that it limits or denies participation in school programs or activities. Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in 34 CFR 106.2 also fall within this definition.
What Does Sex-Based Harassment Look Like?
Sex-based harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:
- Unwelcome leering, sexual flirtations, or propositions.
- Unwelcome sex-based slurs, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, or sexually degrading descriptions.
- Graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body or overly personal conversations based on sex.
- Sex-based jokes, notes, stories, drawings, pictures, or gestures.
- Spreading sex-based rumors.
- Teasing or sexual remarks about students enrolled in a predominantly single-sex class.
- Touching an individual’s body or clothes in a sexual way.
- Impeding or blocking movements or interfering with school activities when directed at an individual based on sex.
- Displaying sexually suggestive objects.
- Electronic communications containing comments, words, or images described above.
- Sexual assault, sexual battery, or sexual coercion.
- Retaliation against an individual who reports or participates in a sexual harassment investigation.
What Happens When Sex-Based Harassment Occurs?
Sexual harassment is prohibited. Harassment based on sex violates California Education Code Sections 212.5 and 48900.2 as well as federal law. Complaints by or against students and staff are investigated and resolved under Board Policy 5145.7 and Board Policy 4119.11.
Any student or staff member found to have engaged in sexual harassment or sexual violence in violation of these policies is subject to disciplinary action.
What Actions Can Be Taken?
Tell the harasser their words or actions are offensive and must stop. Report the incident to staff immediately, avoid being alone with the harasser, document what happened—including where, when, and who was involved—and save any notes, messages, or pictures. Ask witnesses to document what they heard or saw without input from anyone else.
What Are the Key Takeaways?
Unwelcome verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature is prohibited. Report incidents to a staff member—teacher, counselor, campus security, vice principal, or principal. Sex-based harassment complaints are taken seriously, investigations follow Board Policies 5145.7 and 4119.11, violators face disciplinary action, and student safety and well-being remain priorities.
Title IX Coordinator
Dr. Kathryn Taylor Title IX Coordinator
176 Holston Dr. Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 729-2321