Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment

The Long Beach Unified School District is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that is free from sexual harassment. 

The Long Beach Unified School District will not tolerate or condone any type of harassment. Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to, harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation of the victim and harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Sexual harassment of, or by employees, students, third parties, or persons doing business that takes place or is affiliated with the District is a form of sex discrimination. As such, any act of sexual harassment is a violation of state and federal laws, as well as District policy and is prohibited.

Unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory sexual harassment, may result from physical, verbal, nonverbal, or written conduct. Unlawful discrimination occurs when prohibited conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; has the effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student's academic performance, or otherwise adversely affects a student's educational opportunities.

The district strongly encourages students who feel that they are being or have been sexually harassed on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity by another student or an adult, or who have experienced off-campus sexual harassment that has a continuing effect on campus, to immediately contact their teacher, the principal, the district's Title IX Coordinator/UCP Compliance Officer, the district’s Equity Compliance Officer, or any other available school employee. Any employee who receives a report or observes an incident of sexual harassment shall notify the Title IX Coordinator.

When a report of sexual harassment is received, the grievance procedure and options available will be explained and the grievance procedure may be initiated.  All complaints will be promptly investigated in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned to the extent provided for under the law. The District will take appropriate actions reasonably calculated to eliminate the harassment, prevents its recurrence, and remedy its effects. The Title IX Coordinator will offer supportive measures to the complainant and respondent, as deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

Upon completion of an investigation of a sexual harassment complaint, any student found to have engaged in sexual harassment or sexual violence in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action. For students in grades 4- 12, disciplinary action may include suspension and/or expulsion, provided that, in imposing such discipline, the entire circumstances of the incident(s) shall be taken into account.

Upon investigation of a sexual harassment complaint, any employee found to have engaged in sexual harassment or sexual violence toward any student shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, in accordance with law and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The District prohibits retaliatory behavior against anyone who files a sexual harassment complaint or who participates in the complaint investigation process.

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