WEST WARWICK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dating Violence Policy
I. STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
A student’s safety is paramount to ensuring the proper academic, social and emotional environment. When a student is a victim of dating violence, his or her educational experience suffers and his/her safety at school may be jeopardized. The goal of this policy is to foster a safe and disciplined environment that is conducive to learning, where individuals feel safe at school. Any form of dating violence will not be tolerated.
II. DATING VIOLENCE
The prevention of dating violence is part of West Warwick school district’s strategic plan and the school system safety plan [R.I.G.L. 16-22-24].
III. DEFINITIONS
A. “Dating violence” means a pattern of behavior where one person threatens or uses physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse to control his or her dating partner.
B. “Dating partner” means any person, regardless of gender, involved in an intimate relationship with another person.
C. “At school” means in a classroom, on or immediately adjacent to school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, or at any school-sponsored activity.
D. “Sexual Assault” includes behaviors that are attempted or perpetrated against a victim’s will or when a victim cannot consent because of age, disability, or the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sexual assault may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, intimidation, or pressure and may include:
· Intentional unwanted touching
· Stalking and spying
· Exhibitionism
· Undesired exposure to pornography
· Public display of images that were taken in a private context or when the victim was unaware
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Administration
1) Any claim brought to an administrator will be thoroughly investigated in a timely fashion.
2) A finding report will be submitted to the superintendent or his/her designee.
B. Staff
1) It is the responsibility of all school personnel to report to a building administrator any incidences of dating violence observed.
2) In the event a student discloses that harm is being done to herself/himself or another person, the staff member is required to report immediately to a building administrator.
C. Student/Parent
Any person that observes or knows of dating violence is strongly encouraged to report incidents to school officials.
V. DISCIPLINE/CONSEQUENCES
A. Any acts of dating violence will be referred to the School Resource Officer or West Warwick Police Department and additional sanctions in accordance with the West Warwick School Department code of conduct (WWSC Policy VC.1).
B. Parents will be notified.
C. Dating violence is considered a safety threat to the school environment; counseling may be required.
VI. EDUCATION and AWARENESS
A. The issue of dating violence shall be included in secondary Health curricula.
B. To ensure that school personnel can appropriately respond to incidents of dating violence at school, they shall be trained annually at the secondary schools to include:
1) Basic principles of dating violence
2) Warning signs of dating violence
3) The school district’s Dating Violence Policy
C. Parent awareness training and/or information shall be provided upon request.
VII. VICTIM RIGHTS AND PROTECTION
West Warwick is committed to creating a campus environment that promotes timely and fair adjudication of teen dating violence, and sexual violence cases. Principals will establish guidelines to protect the rights and privacy of the victim as well as due process rights of the alleged perpetrator.
VIII. LEGAL
This policy does not prevent a victim from seeking redress under any other available law, either civil or criminal. This section does not create or alter any tort liability.
Date Adopted:
May 14, 2013
References:
RIGL 16-21-30 http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title16/16-21/16-21-30.HTM
RIGL 16-22-25 http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title16/16/-22/16-22-24.HTM
Thrive http://www.thriveri.org/documents/GUIDE Bullying TDVSV Amended2012.pdf
Review Date:
2/08/2023