OHIO announces updates to “Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct” policy
Ohio University’s Executive Staff Policy Committee (ESPC) has announced its approval of minor updates to the University’s existing Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct (03.004) policy.
Updates included:
- General language changes to make the policy more clear
- Clarifying language to the definitions of consent, incapacitation and witness
- Adding definitions for coercion, force, and reasonable person
- Clarifying that dating violence includes the threat of violence
- Changed the elements of domestic violence to reflect upcoming changes in the Violence Against Women Act
- Added language concerning the importance of retaining evidence such as emails, texts, social media posts, etc.
OHIO’s Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct policy has been approved and revised numerous times since 1981. The policy states “To affirm its commitment to fairness and equity, and to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, Ohio University has developed this policy and related processes that inform members of the University community about prohibited behavior; provide supportive measures designed to remediate the effects of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct; and provide a prompt, fair, and impartial process to address alleged violations of this policy.”
To read the policy in full, please visit this Ohio University Administrative Policy Manual webpage.