-
Adult Sexual Misconduct
Mandatory Training for PPS Volunteers
-
Definition of Adult Sexual Misconduct
Any sexual activity (physical or not) directed to a student with the purpose of developing a romantic or sexual relationship.* Also, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex/gender/orientation. **
*US Government Accountability Office (2014)
** Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
What to Look for - Grooming Behaviors
Child grooming is establishing an emotional connection with a child to lower the their inhibitions with the objective of sexual abuse.
Examples include:
- Inappropriate sexual talk or behavior directed at or expressed in the company of students
- Overly personal messages, notes, texts, yearbook inscriptions
- Risqué jokes or degrading or provocative remarks
- Suggestive teasing or innuendo
- Students singled out for favors/gifts
- Secretive or flirtatious behavior
-
Perpetrators of Adult Sexual Misconduct Work Diligently to Hide it By:
- Appearing above reproach
- Developing close ties to family and school
- Working to develop loyalty in the student
- Claiming to be acting out of concern
- Going on the attack
-
Inappropriate Behavior
- Inappropriate touching- patting butt, backrubs, front hugs
- Sexual comments about students
- Showing porn or risqué content to students
- Poor boundaries/oversharing
- Being alone in a locked room
- Private internet contact or “sexting”
- Hanging out with students off school grounds in non-school based activities
-
So what is okay with students? Appropriate Behavior May Include:
- Positive reinforcement
- Appropriate humor
- Non-personal compliments
- Overt and public interactions
- Legitimate non-sexual touching: side hugs, or comforting an injured student. However, children have a right to not be touched at all, if they prefer. Respect their boundaries.
Volunteer Training Resources
-
Child Abuse & Adult Sexual Misconduct Slideshow:
Volunteer Child Abuse ASM Slideshow
Child Abuse & Adult Sexual Misconduct Slideshow PDFs:
Mandatory Volunteer Training (English)
Español | Tiếng Việt | 中文 | Русский | Soomaali
See Something, Say Something
-
A volunteer who observes signs, or becomes aware of potential Adult Sexual Misconduct or child abuse should immediately report it to the school principal.
District’s Title IX Coordinator: 503-916-3340.
Multnomah County Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline: 503-731-3100
SafeOregon to anonymously report a school safety threat, such as a weapon or threat of violence at school: 844-472-3367
Feedback
-
If you wish to provide feedback on this training or your experiences as a volunteer, please email volunteer@pps.net.