Responding to Sexual Misconduct

• In Class Meetings during the fall, we will explain the laws of the State of Connecticut regarding consensual sexual activity. These meetings will include discussions about what sexual consent and statutory rape mean.
• Also in Class Meetings, students will be reminded that as a matter of policy and prudence, we often notify parents when we encounter students who may have had sexual contact, and we always notify parents if the consensual activity trips the state's three-year limitation and is considered statutory rape in the state of Connecticut. The definitions can seem complicated based on the ages of the people involved. The most relevant point is that the State's three-year limitation applies when the younger person is 13-15 years old and the older person is more than three years older. If the person is under 13, there are different criminal statutes.
• We would like our students to understand that they -- especially when one student is more than three years older -- are at risk of being reported to local authorities for criminal prosecution if the encounter meets a definition of statutory rape; sometimes the School may act as the reporter, even if the actions were consensual. The reporter may also be the younger student or the younger student's parents.
• We invite speakers with training and specialties in adolescent behaviors to come to discuss topic and encourage greater understanding. Speakers have included: Cindy Pierce, noted specialist in human sexuality; Hakeem Rahim on mental health awareness, depression, and suicide prevention; Matt Bellace on the prevention of substance abuse; and Jennifer Finney Boylan, noted speaker on issues of LGBTQ awareness; and health education consultant, Justine Fonte, who addresses healthy decision making and consent.
• Through Human Development classes, lower mids will also learn about bystander training, and other ways to help keep themselves and their friends safe.

We continue to train our faculty and staff members regarding the following:

• All new faculty and staff members receive training about their obligation under Connecticut law to report when they suspect or believe that a child under 18 has been abused, neglected, or placed in imminent risk of serious harm.
• The School's Community Conduct Council (see the Almanac) also regularly reviews policies and procedures related to sexual misconduct, and makes recommendations for faculty training and to improve our response to incidents.
• Faculty members have been instructed to relay swiftly any concerns, knowledge, or suspicions relevant to student safety to the Dean on Duty and the Dean of Students, who will in turn notify the local authorities, as needed.
• All faculty and staff members review and sign the Code of Ethical Conduct for Employees in Relation to Students (see the Almanac). All reports of alleged violation are reviewed and responded to by the Community Conduct Council (CCC).

Our Community Regulations are outlined in the Almanac. You can find the following regulations and policies on these pages:

• Sexual Misconduct Statement
• Community Regulation, Major Offense: Sexual Misconduct
• Commitment to Ethical Conduct
• Code of Ethical Conduct and Community Conduct Council
• General Harassment Policy, including sexual harassment