Professional Prospective: High school Guidance Counselor 

Field of Education: Masters of Education in Guidance & Counseling 

Audience: Teachers/Counselors

Reason for topic: In society today there has been cases of student-student and teacher-student sexual violence cases. Also, because we currently live in a time where more people are exploring and embracing their sexuality, sexual violence is more prevalent. Because of this increase, teachers/counselors should be educated on the effects of sexual violence, how to identify the signs, and how to properly and effectively assist a student.

Response: “I have seen more accounts of sexual violence from families and care-givers than I have from student to student.  I believe that this is because we implemented sexual violence training with our high school teachers/staff and had classroom presentations in our English classes along with posters around our school.  I feel that this was very important because we were able to lessen our number of sexual violence student-student cases.  I also feel that this was very important as a school counselor because students were able to identify situations from their past or current situations in their homes that were not positive and come forward to report cases of sexual violence.”

Question 2: Best practices related to Sexual Violence Prevention and Response?

Response: “The best three practices related to Sexual Violence Prevention and Response is training teachers to be your eyes and ears, teaching students the signs of sexual violence and how to react and how to get help, propaganda around our school to reinforce training.”

Question 3: An area emerging issue related to Sexual Violence Prevention and Response on that educators should watch to see how it plays out and impacts your work?

Response: “My current school is very open with our LBGTQ+ students and community.  When speaking about sexual violence we have to be aware of the correct approach to all students and we cannot infer gender norms.  We have to make sure that our LBGTQ+ community is protected from any form of sexual violence (from a significant other or a hate crime).  Sexual violence and LBGTQ+ has always been around, but I feel that help to end this violence is emerging now more than ever.”

Question 4: 

Name: Megan Fellows

Title: School Counselor/Gifted Teacher

School: NeoCity Academy, Osceola County Schools, FL

Link: https://neoc.osceolaschools.net/

Name of Article: What to Do To Stop Sexual Harassment at School

Citation: Mentell, E. J. (1993). What to do to stop sexual harassment at school. Journal of Character Education, 51(3), pp. 96-97. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov93/vol51/num03/What-to-Do-To-Stop-Sexual-Harassment-at-School.aspx

Summary: The journal is relevant to my topic because it discusses guidelines for administrators to preserve appropriate learning environments and steps to help eliminate sexual violence and harassment. Counselors should empower and encourage teachers to stand against inappropriate name calling and sexual comments. Last, teachers should educate students to seek help from teachers, counselors, or administrators because harassment and sexual violence is not their fault, nor a reflection of the bullied or abused student (Mentell, 1993).

Citation: Modan, N. (2019). Chicago public schools violated Title IX for 'systemic failure' to address student sexual violence claims. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/Chicago-public-schools-violated-title-ix-for-systemic-failure-to-address/562825/

Link: https://www.educationdive.com/news/chicago-public-schools-violated-title-ix-for-systemic-failure-to-address/562825/

Summary: 

Citation: Harper, A. (2019). Reports of sexual assault at schools on the rise, but the reasons are unclear. Retrieved from https://www.educationdive.com/news/reports-of-sexual-assault-at-schools-on-the-rise-but-the-reasons-are-uncle/560112/

Link: https://www.educationdive.com/news/reports-of-sexual-assault-at-schools-on-the-rise-but-the-reasons-are-uncle/560112/

Summary: 

Source of Law: Administrative Law 

Citation: FERPA (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)

Link: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Law and the legal requirements: 

Source of Law: Statutory Law 

Citation: CAPTA (42 U.S.C. §  5101–5116i-67)  

Link: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2017-title42/html/USCODE-2017-title42-chap67.htm

Law and the legal requirements:

Source of Law: Statutory Law 

Citation: (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-143)

Link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/SB/401

Law and the legal requirements:

Citation: O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.4

Link: https://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/State-Board-of-Education/Pages/PEABoardRules.aspx

Law and the legal requirements: 

Citation: Dekalb County School District. (2019). Bullying, harassment, and hazing. Retrieved from https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/bullying-harassment-hazing-awareness/

Link: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/bullying-harassment-hazing-awareness/

Summary: DeKalb County schools have a no hazing, no bullying, or harassment policy and rule. There is a zero tolerance rule for repeated offenses like threats, attacking someone physically, and unwelcomed conduct based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Students and local school personnel are asked to sign an Anti-Bullying/Harassment/Discrimination/Hazing Pledge and to report any and all incidents. 

Citation: American School Counselor Association. (2016). The ASCA Ethical Standards for school counselors. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

Link:https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

Summary: School counselors/teachers must report to the administration all incidents of bullying, dating violence and sexual harassment as most fall under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or other federal and state laws. School counselors provide services to victims and perpetrator as appropriate, which may include a safety plan and reasonable accommodations. School counselors also encourage training to enable students and staff to have the knowledge and skills needed to recognize the signs of sexual abuse. 

Citation: Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools. (2017). A training guide for administrators and educators on addressing adult sexual misconduct in the school setting. Retrieved from
https://rems.ed.gov/docs/ASMTrainingGuide.pdf

Link: https://rems.ed.gov/docs/ASMTrainingGuide.pdf

Summary: Teachers should be aware of appropriate school personnel conduct involving students. There should be positive reinforcement for good work and behavior, compliments that are not personal in nature, and interaction with students in plain sight, with classroom doors opened. Last, regarding physical conduct, personal contact from teachers should be in safe-touch areas such as giving a handshake or pat on the back.