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.