SMMUSD To Revise Sex Misconduct Rules – Hugs May Be Firing Offense
Written by 991KBU on July 16, 2019
Sexual abuse of children sometimes happens at schools.
And this week … the Santa Monica Malibu school board will consider a new set of guidelines for its employees … to give new rules on interactions with children … an effort to prevent sexual misconduct.
According to the district … the proposed policy will set new behavioral boundaries for adults.
And the policy will spell out disciplinary consequences for employees … volunteers and coaches.
The proposed policy would explicitly prohibit at least 12 separate behaviors that range from selection and grooming … to sexual exploitation.
Adults would be prohibited from seeking out a specific student in a way that may create an excessive emotional attachment or be perceived as acting in a “parental” role.
Some of the prohibitions would be obvious.
Things like making sexual or sexualized comments about a student’s appearance.
Or using student restrooms when staff restrooms are available.
Or taking a student out of class without a legitimate educational purpose.
Almost all physical contact would be grounds for firing.
Under the proposed rules … the district would confidentially investigate all other violations.
Law enforcement would investigate suspected child abuse.
Retaliation against the person who reported the misconduct or anyone else involved in the investigation would be prohibited.
The board of education will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the district headquarters at 16th Street and Olympic Boulevard in Santa Monica.
