Post date: Oct 18, 2017 6:09:50 PM
Sienna Hicks-12 Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at anytime.
Sexual harassment can come in many forms, from a person-to-person incident, a social media incident, etcetera. Harassment is never acceptable and should be reported to someone who can help with the situation.
What do you if it happens to you or someone you know?
First, we want to let you know people are here for you, you are never alone. If you do not know who you can talk to about an issue such as sexual harassment, please note that our school, Kirksville High School, is a safe place where you can get help coping with this issue.
Kirksville High School wants you to be aware that there are procedures and ways to get help with sexual harassment.
The staff here at KHS do not take this subject lightly and they are reminded each year of the severity of this issue. Mr. Mikel explained, “[The Staff] receives training every year about appropriate/inappropriate things regarding sexual harassment. ...Obviously, [sexual harassment] is unacceptable. And then, [the training] defines unwanted advances, or liberally defines what sexual harassment means.”
According to Mr. Mikel there are procedures taken to handle a report of sexual harassment.
First, he or Mr. Wolf meet with the student and go through their procedure. He mentions that typically the student being harassed just wants it to go away. So, their first action of the policy is to stop the sexual harassment. However, if it does not completely stop, the consequences escalate for the person who is harassing the victim.
The administration emphasized that they do a thorough investigation when incidents are reported. Mr. Mikel said, “[Investigations] have to be [thorough]. And one thing I told Mr. Wolfe is that we take notes on all of these things. Anything we’ve acted on, there are counseling notes and his notes that go into the computer..” Therefore, anytime there is a substantiated accusation of harassment, it is put on both the accused and accusers record on file in KHS.
If the issue becomes more serious, the resource officer, Officer Harden, could potentially have to step in. Officer Harden said, “Well any place, any organization, any place you work, sexual harassment is one of the big things that will get somebody fired on the spot, if you are found guilty of that. The school setting is kind of the same way. Something is going to be done through the school...unless it turns into a law enforcement issue and that's when I'll take over and do my own investigation.”
Our incredible counseling staff at KHS also emphasized that they are here to talk about any issues that come up. Mrs. Niemeyer explained, “...in terms of just working with students to get through some of [the] emotional fallout or things that happen as a result, that's where [the counselors] step in.” So, there are people to talk to immediately following an incident and even after the fact.
Most of the the issues are taken to Mr. Wolf, who is in charge of taking disciplinary actions at KHS. All the issues are recorded and told to all the necessary people in charge. Much like the counselors said, Mr. Wolf says that all, “Accusations have to be dealt with on an individual basis due to confidentiality laws and the different dynamics involved.” This means that all issues will be handled differently due to the severity of the incident and what is exactly being accused. Although all accusations are different in their own way they all have the same general actions taken in a certain order. Mr. Wolf explains these in the email he sent us, “The next step is very critical in the process. A list of students will be recorded that may either support or refute the accusations. We will then carefully review the names and how they may be connected to either party, which will then dictate the process of how we do the investigation.” Mr. Wolf goes on to say how he does not always do the interviews in his office due to the stigma that comes with his office and the main offices. He wants the kids to feel comfortable enough to give their full statement in an environment they feel comfortable in, due to the feeling of telling on someone for anything is counted as “snitching” nowadays.
Please Note: When you are reporting an incident involving sexual harassment, know that this is not snitching but helping those who won't/can’t speak out.
Mr. Wolf wants you to know, “It scares me beyond belief how students will avoid being considered a ‘snitch’ rather than protecting their friends or peers. In almost all cases I have handled, Snapchat was involved, and in all those cases, it could have ended almost immediately if someone would screenshot the information. I would like students to consider this question, "If you don't take the action of taking a screenshot, reporting incidences to Mr. Wolf or teachers, or simply taking a stand against all harassment, are you any better than the person doing the harassment?"
Within the last week the #METOO appeared to draw attention to the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in our society. If people speak up maybe then others will realize how big of an issue sexual harassment has become.