Sex Discrimination, Harassment and Misconduct: What is it and how do I report it?

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

What Behaviors are Prohibited by Title IX?

Sexual harassment, sex discrimination, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity; stalking; and relationship violence. Many behaviors that violate Title IX also constitute crimes.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

• An employee conditioning the provision of an aid benefit or service of the recipient on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
• Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity; or
• “Sexual assault” as defined by Clery Act

Examples of Sexual Harassment:

• Pressure for sexual activity
• Sexual innuendos and comments
• Sexually explicit questions
• Requests for sexual favors
• Unwelcome touching, hugging, stroking, squeezing
• Spreading rumors about a person’s sexuality
• Sexual ridicule
• Displaying or sending sexually suggestive electronic content, including but not limited to emails, text messages, etc.
• Pervasive displays of pictures, calendars, cartoons, or other materials with sexually explicit or graphic content
• Stalking a person
• Attempted or actual sexual violence

*These examples are not all-inclusive of the types of situations that may constitute sexual harassment.

Who is Protected?

Both men and women are protected, including when the harasser and victim are of the same sex, and regardless of either’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Third parties are protected where harassment directed at others, or sexual conduct between consenting participants, adversely affects the third party’s work or learning environment.

Is Retaliation Prohibited?

Yes. The College’s policy prohibits retaliation for making a good faith complaint about sexual harassment, including sexual violence, or for participating in or otherwise being associated with an investigation of alleged sexual harassment/violence. Anyone who believes, or receives a complaint, that prohibited relation has or is occurring should immediately be reported to the Title IX Coordinator.

How Do I Report Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, or Violence?

Any College community member with knowledge that harassment has or may be occurring should submit an Incident Report available on the College’s website.

Another option is to contact the College’s Title IX Coordinator at the email or telephone number listed. College community members who know of or receive a complaint of sexual harassment may refer the reporter to the online report or report information of an incident to the Title IX Coordinator.

The Title IX Coordinator will investigate the signed complaint or report, resolve the incident in a live hearing with each party entitled to an advisor or attorney to conduct cross-examination, take other appropriate remedial and preventative action, and offer community resources. Disclosure by students of drug or alcohol use as part of a complaint or in the course of an investigation will not be used against the student in a disciplinary proceeding or voluntarily reported to law enforcement. Note: Reporting sexual harassment to the College/Title IX Coordinator does not replace the right to pursue other options or remedies under the law, nor satisfy any requirements for asserting a state or federal law claim.

Reporting Sexual Crimes

Off-campus sexual assault and other sexual harassment that may constitute a crime should immediately be reported to local law enforcement by calling 911.

On-campus sexual assaults and crimes should be immediately reported to the following:

• Key West Police Department: 911 or (305) 809-1000
• Campus Security: (305) 809-3543 or (305) 467-6912
• Additionally, report such incidents online to the Title IX Coordinator.  
• Title IX Coordinator:   Jessica Losardo, Director of Advancement (305) 809-3198 or jessica.losardo@cfk.edu
• The College of the Florida Keys, 5901 College Road, Key West, FL 33040
• Confidential Support Resources:
• Child/Elder Abuse Hotline: 1 (800) 962-2873
• Christina’s Courage: (305) 619-9155
• Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1 (800) 779-7233
• Domestic Abuse Shelter: (305) 743-4440
• Lower Keys Shelter: (305) 292-6647
• Middle Keys Shelter: (305) 743-4440
• Upper Keys Shelter: (305) 451-5666
• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1 (800) 500-1119
• Florida Council Against Sexual Violence: 1(888) 956-7273
• Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 (800) 500-1119
• Guidance Care Center: (305) 434-7660
• Lower Keys: (305) 292-6843
• Middle Keys: (305) 434-9000
• Upper Keys: (305) 451-8018
• Rape Crisis Hotline: 1 (888) 956-7273
• RAINN: 1 (800) 656-4673
• Mental Health Services: (305) 434-7660
• Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocates:
• Lower Keys: (305) 809-1090
• Middle Keys: (305) 289-2430
• Upper Keys: (305) 853-3211