Sexual harassment can be a tricky subject to navigate. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from graduate students about sexual harassment.听听
CU Boulder has a variety of on-campus resources that can provide support if you or a friend are experiencing sexual harassment.听
- 罢丑别听听provides free and confidential support to students, staff and faculty. They can help you navigate resources, explore reporting options and connect with other resources.听
- 罢丑别听Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC)听is the official reporting office for complaints of sexual misconduct, protected-class discrimination and harassment at CU Boulder.听
- 听offers听a variety of听confidential counseling services for students including brief individual counseling, workshops and groups.听听
- Ombuds听provides confidential support for students. Their office listens to concerns, provides impartial perspective and helps students develop options and strategize resolutions to university-related issues.听听
What is the difference between flirting at work, asking a colleague out and sexual harassment?听
The key听difference between听flirting and sexual harassment is whether听or not听the behavior is wanted and mutual.听Colleagues can flirt if it is听welcome and reciprocated. Similarly, asking a coworker out is okay, but听punishing听or continuing to pursue听someone for saying, "no," is not.听
What听counts as听sexual harassment?听
CU Boulder defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors听and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.听
How can someone report sexual harassment?听
CU Boulder has a variety of resources for听students who may be experiencing听sexual harassment. Students, staff and faculty听are encouraged to听visit the听听to explore their options. OVA provides free and confidential support for students, staff and faculty for a number of concerns, including sexual harassment. Official reports can be filed听through听an online submission form to听the听Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC).听
How does CU Boulder respond to reports of sexual harassment?听
Once a report is filed听with OIEC, a representative听will follow up and听provide information on confidential resources. They will听review options for interim remedies and supportive measures, such as changes to academic, living,听transportation and听work situations.听Once the initial inquiry is complete, reports听can be resolved informally or through an official adjudication process by OIEC.听听
What is the difference between an informal resolution and an听official听adjudication?听
Informal resolutions听do not determine if a policy was violated. These types of resolutions allow the university to tailor resolutions to the unique facts and circumstances of an incident and discuss appropriate behavior going forward.
A formal adjudication听is an听investigative process conducted by trained officials who are neutral fact finders to determine听whether a policy violation occurred. If someone is found responsible for violating听university听policy through the formal process,听it will most likely result in some form of disciplinary action听based on the severity of the behavior, up to and including being suspended, expelled, demoted or fired from the university.听
How should you respond if someone tells you they are experiencing sexual harassment?听
If someone discloses an experience of sexual harassment to you, it is听important to listen non-judgmentally听and check in on their safety. Take them seriously, validate their feelings and support their decisions regarding how they wish to move forward.听
If you are not sure what to do, reach out to OVA for support. They provide free and confidential support for students, staff and faculty. You can reach out to them for support and guidance on how to help a friend or yourself.
