½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

We are big fans of Common Sense Media's materials.  The following are guides we regularly share with parents and school counselors who are supporting children who have been exposed to pornography online.

• What to do if your young child is exposed to pornography
• Talking with teens and preteens about pornography

This guide, compiled by ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ's Title IX Office, includes resources, activities, and recommendations to help parents who are struggling with how to address their teen or pre-teen's sexting, exchanging nudes, dating, and generally,  how to respect boundaries and/or body autonomy.  The guide includes resources and education aimed at helping parents understand the vast difference between their experience as teens and what today's teens are struggling with, and may not feel comfortable asking their parents (or other trusted adult) for help.

Click here for the guide

Take it Down!

Social media guide for parents

The info linked within this guide is a sampling of materials compiled from the National Online Safety Council by the ½ûÂþÌìÌà Title IX Office. More available at . Additional resources, including supplemental videos can also be found there. This is a phenomenal resource for parents, students and educators alike!

How are school-based Title IX Coordinators trained?

Each year, the principal designates a  Building coordinators act as liaisons to the district's Title IX team and are specially trained and supported by the central office (see "Help and Support at School" above). 34 CFR Part 106.45(b)(10) of the 2020 Title IX Regulations requires the public sharing of materials used to train Title IX Coordinators.

The following materials were created by ½ûÂþÌìÌà for the 2022-23 school year:

• Overview for building leaders
• TIX slide deck - What's new for 2022!
• : Title IX for building leaders (asynch). Accompanies slide deck above.
• FAQ: the role of the TIX coordinator
• Title IX (async) - mandatory training for all ½ûÂþÌìÌà employees
• ATIXA Guide to Equity in Title IX Proceedings
• Responding to Bias-Based Incidents (COSA, 2022)
• Title IX (ODE, 2022)

Additionally, the district's Title IX team holds the following certifications (the list is not exhaustive):

• Oregon Annual Coordinator Training (Title IX Specialists)
• Title IX Hearing Officer & Decision-Making (Title IX Specialists)

From the U.S. Department of Education

• Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment (Unofficial Copy)   (6M) 
• Title IX: U.S. Department of Education Title IX Final Rule Overview   (553K) 
• Summary of Major Provisions of the Title IX Final Rule 
• Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment 

Sexual Violence & Intersectionality

View Textual Description of the Racial & Sexual Violence Pyramid

• This graphic depicts the connection and overlap between racial and sexual violence. The left side of the pyramid shows examples of sexual violence, and the right side shows examples of racial violence in five different categories: attitudes and beliefs, individual acts of prejudice, institutional discrimination, violence, and death. The examples outside the pyramid show where there is overlap between racial and sexual violence in these same categories. Attitudes and beliefs are the foundation that continues to uphold both individual acts of prejudice, and institutional and systemic discrimination, that contribute to violence and death. This is not an exhaustive list of examples but is a starting point to help others understand the connection.

 

• Calls on the strengths that the anti-violence movement can find through intersectional approaches and intentional practices. Our charge for SAAM was to inspire advocacy that is grounded in community needs and comprehensive approaches. This year’s toolkit takes a look into different movements including LGBTQ equality, racial justice, economic justice, transformative justice, health and wellness, reproductive rights, and immigrant justice. While the toolkit addresses critical issue areas, it is not exhaustive. It is designed to inspire initiatives and opportunities for transformative change. These new opportunities can help strengthen and grow support for survivors and our communities while we brace for rapid change in times of uncertainty.

SIRC: Information for ½ûÂþÌìÌà Parents

click here for a printable .PDF of the following information

Have you been contacted by your child’s school about setting up a “SIRC” meeting?

Parents/guardians are integral to the effectiveness of any school-based behavioral intervention team. As such, we invite you to learn more about SIRC; our district SIRC coordinator, Alex Kahl, is also available to answer your questions at any time in this process.

What is SIRC?

SIRC or Sexual Incident Response Committee is an assessment tool used by school districts across Oregon that examines sexualized behaviors in children to assist schools in determining appropriate interventions to ensure safety for all PK-12 students. SIRC’s purpose is to provide timely support to kids, and mitigate potential risk to others in the school community. SIRC assesses a broad range of sexualized behaviors to determine whether they are developmentally appropriate, and whether they may be indicative of other risk factors. Most importantly, SIRC informs a multidisciplinary team of educators (administrators, counselors, subject matter experts) at your child’s school in better understanding why your child may be exhibiting this behavior and how to respond and support your child during the school day. SIRC is an integral part of our comprehensive response to Title IX-related matters or incidents at school, which is illustrated in the following Venn diagram.  

For more on what is covered under Title IX click here.

View Textual Description of the Title IX Framework

Why is my child being referred to SIRC?

SIRC is designed to connect students and families to support. Your child may have been observed or reported to have engaged in sexualized behavior at school or in the community.  This can vary from sexualized language or gestures to sexualized behavior that may harm another child (such as touching another’s body without consent, sexual harassment or sexual violence). Depending on your child’s age, these behaviors are categorized as normative or non-normative. 

It is important to note that SIRC is not a diagnostic or psychological tool, thus, any information gleaned or safety protocol or other outcome derived from the assessment will not directly influence any subsequent IEP or 504 (special education) planning. However, the information gathered in SIRC may inform interventions or suggest adjustments to existing special education plans. 

Is my child in trouble?

No. SIRC is not a disciplinary or investigative tool. In some instances, there may be a disciplinary aspect to your child’s behavior while at school, however, information derived from SIRC cannot be used against a child or applied to discipline or other consequences. SIRC is not an investigation of what occurred. SIRC assists in uncovering the “why” of underlying behavior not the “what.”

SIRC’s ultimate goal is to support children, families and schools in determining the most appropriate interventions or supports. The goal is to extinguish the behavior and prevent further harm to self or others. To be successful in extinguishing these behaviors and keeping all children safe at school, we rely on the cooperation and trust of the child’s parent or guardian to be effective. You are an essential and important member of your child’s team.

What will happen in this meeting? Who will attend?

The parent or guardian is invited and plays a central role in the success of any intervention planned. The parent or guardian also offers a unique and critical perspective to the team’s understanding of the origin of the behavior and why it is occurring. The SIRC meeting also includes a multidisciplinary team of educators including the principal or vice principal, the counselor, and other faculty as needed (Special Education Case Manager, School Psychologist, etc.). Alex Kahl, SIRC Coordinator may or may not participate but can offer information and support regardless. Taking a multidisciplinary approach allows the school staff to gain a fuller, more comprehensive understanding of your child’s needs and functioning within the school environment. 

Additionally, school employees who have directly observed your child or have a relationship with your child may be invited to offer written information through a questionnaire. Similarly, the parent or guardian may be asked to respond to a set of questions if they are unable to attend the meeting. 

What happens after the parents' meeting?

The school team will convene to discuss all the information collected and determine what interventions (if any) are most likely to ensure safety. Next, a member of the team is identified to lead the implementation and ensure fidelity to the agreement. The agreement may include referral or connection to outside community resources, safety plans or other interventions deemed to be most helpful. Safety plans are not permanent and should be reevaluated each year (at a minimum). If you believe the plan needs to be amended sooner, for any reason, please let your school administrator (such as the principal) know.

Who can I speak to (at the district) for more specific information about SIRC?

Alex Kahl is the district’s SIRC Coordinator.  

akahl@pps.net or 503.312.8338 (call/text)

Where can I find general information?

• You may find information from Dr. Wilson Kenny helpful at his or  consider reading his book (½ûÂþÌìÌà adapted Dr. Kenny’s approach to apply to the uniqueness of this school district).
• Kenny, W. (2013).. Plymouth: Rowman & Littlefield Education.

• A review of Dr. Kenny’s book (Spangler, 2016) offers an accessible, simplified overview of the text and highlights the importance of systematic response to child’s sexualized behaviors in school.  

The district’s Title IX Manager is:

Liane K. O’Banion, Ed.D.

lobanion@pps.net

503.568.2646 (call/text)

Title IX and ½ûÂþÌìÌà prohibit bullying, harassment and intimidation based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity (this includes cyberbullying, too).  

Please visit the district's for info and resources or to find help. You may also submit a Title IX report (using the button at the top right side of this page) if you are being bullied or harassed at school and need help.

www.pps.net/lgbtq

Sexual & Dating Violence, Consent & Healthy Relationships

How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence 

SafeBAE 

Check out S, a survivor-founded, youth-led national organization whose mission is to end sexual assault among middle and high school students.  As the only national peer-to-peer organization of our kind, we help promote culture change by giving teens the tools to become activists and shift school culture through raising awareness about dating violence, sexual harassment and assault, affirmative consent, safe bystander intervention, survivor care, and their rights under Title IX. 

Sexting & Sextortion

 - click here forto share w/your kids about the dangers of sending/sharing photos electronically.

Be an Active Bystander

• GAME ON is the centerpiece of 2018 Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign - BAEcode. The campaign teaches and empower teens to prevent sexual harassment and assault in their own peer groups.

Think Before you Post

• Check out the new video from , an advocacy group for middle/high school students. The video reminds teens that sharing nude photos (sexting) can have major consequences that last a lifetime. Click here for
• 1) sexting constitutes child pornography; 2) sexting leads to sexual bullying/harassment; 3) sexting can open the door to sexual predators; 4) sexting can lead to blackmail; 5) sexts never go away; 6) sexting can ruin a teen's reputation (from Very Well Family)

Know the Numbers

• Teenagers and Sexual Assault (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network): Includes key terms like coercion and consent and offers teens guidance on healthy dating relationships; includes information on the dangers of online communication and how to stay safe.
• Teens and Sexual Violence: Who commits sexual violence, what are the effects and more. 

Let's Talk about Consent!

Affirmative consent is... freely given, mutual, continuous and mitigates the impact and consequences of sexual pressure. It is also a foundational principle in healthy sexuality and in violence prevention (OHES, 2016).

Oregon’s Health Education Standards are designed to promote healthy, safe, violence-free communities for all people. This includes promoting concepts and fostering skills for healthy individuals and healthy relationships in age-appropriate ways. By aligning the standards with best-practice and the unique policy infrastructure in Oregon (including OAR Rule 581-0221440, SB 856, and HB 4077) our state is working to address and end violence in our schools and communities.  

Click here for a Comprehensive Consent Checklist

Developmentally-Appropriate Videos That Illustrate Consent for Kids

High School/Young Adults 14-18

•  (explicit version, clean version available below). Illustrates sexual consent using a simple metaphor - tea.
•  Video from Planned Parenthood that dives deep into what consent looks and feels like from signals like body language and words. Breaks consent down to the five components: 1) everyone's clear; 2) you can say no; 3) be honest; 4) consent once is not consent forever; and 5) sex is about connection.

Teens/Tweens 11-16

•   Shows concrete examples of: how to ask for consent; what enthusiastic, verbal consent looks like; and how to respond to "no" respectfully.
•   You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. If you're being pressured to do something you're not comfortable with, that's called coercion, even if it's your significant other.
•   Covers basic principles of consent, emphasizing that just because someone consents to engage in one kind of behavior that does not mean they've agreed to engage in another.
• (clean version)  Explains sexual consent using a simple metaphor - tea.  This version does not have profanity and is more appropriate for younger teens.

Preschool - Elementary 

•   Breaks down consent using the body as an example of what you have the right to control.
•   Delivers a simple message - "I may be young, I may be small.  But it's my body, I'm in charge of it all.

Health and Sexuality Education Standards in Oregon

The Human Sexuality Education Law (2009); the Healthy Teen Relationship Act (2013); and, the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Law (2015) collectively contribute to the Oregon Department of Education’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education policy framework. Approved by the State Board of Education in 2016, the Health Education Standards provide consistency in what is taught to students across Oregon to ensure equity in achievement and health.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education

The new Standards expand on the required knowledge and skills related to comprehensive sexuality education. They expand the notion of what sexual health is, treating sexuality as “a multidimensional process, intimately linked to the basic human needs of being liked and accepted, displaying and receiving affection, feeling valued and attractive, and sharing thoughts and feelings.”1 Thus, the standards cover broad areas including body image, media literacy, gender roles, relationships, and communication.

Other Helpful Resources for Parents & Kids

OPB, 2019)

Healthy Teen Relationship Act Toolkit - prevention of teen dating violence

 in Oregon

- Disease Prevention

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting status.

Toolkit - Pregnancy Discrimination is Sex Discrimination

"Schools that receive federal funds must not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, including a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination, or recovery therefrom. Schools must provide equal access to school programs and extracurricular activities to students who might be, are, or have been pregnant. Schools are required to treat pregnant and parenting students the same way they treat other students who are similarly able or unable to participate in school activities."

Resources

½ûÂþÌìÌà Teen Parent Services helps young Moms and Dads confront challenges and create opportunities. Our mission has been to provide teen parents with support and resources to help navigate their lives as parents and as students. Academic support, Counseling, and Advocacy are our primary services. Our program provides support for all pregnant and parenting students within the ½ûÂþÌìÌà District boundary.

Contact

Contact the Title IX Director for more information or to submit a complaint or concern: lobanion@pps.net

For Parents: Child Sexual Abuse

From :

“One in 10 children will be the victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. Despite this startling statistic, it’s a silent epidemic that people are afraid to talk about.

To prevent abuse, we have to break through the stigma and shame, and talk about how the sexual abuse of children happens. It’s the only way we will be able to stop what is arguably the number one health crisis that children face today” ().

Prevalence 

Reporting

• Oregon Senate Bill 155 (2019): On July 20, 2019, the Oregon State Legislature passed Senate Bill 155, which requires investigations of all reports involving suspected abuse or suspected sexual conduct by school employees, contractors, agents and volunteers. 

Prevention 

• designed to help your family address personal safety in a comfortable with tips, tools, and lesson for families of all
• (effective 2017): In July of 2015, the Oregon Legislature passed SB 856 (Sex Abuse Prevention Instruction) which requires schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention instruction kindergarten through grade 12. Subsequently, the Oregon State Board of Education passed changes to administrative rule 581-022-1440 (Human Sexuality Education): "As part of the comprehensive plan of human sexuality instruction, each school district board shall adopt a child sexual abuse prevention instructional program for students in kindergarten through grade 12 (OAR 581-022-1440). More information about comprehensive sexuality education reform available under the Healthy Sexuality link.
• (2015 in Oregon): Requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program which teaches: 1) students in grades preK – 12th grade, age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult; 2) school personnel all about child sexual abuse; and 3)parents & guardians the warning signs of child sexual abuse, plus needed assistance, referral or resource information to support sexually abused children and their families

Title IX keeps kids safe and in school by reducing barriers and protecting students from an environment that interferes with educational programs or activities or that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile educational climate.

On July 20, 2021, the Office of Civil Rights published a Q&A on Title IX regulations specific to sexual harassment in schools. This guidance addresses outstanding questions from the previous administration, which were published in August 2020 and represented a major revision to existing policy and practice.

Click here to read the full Q&A.

For a deeper dive into how sexual harassment and violence impact the educational environment, check out  (SSAIS) 2-part video series, which helps K-12 kids understand the law, what it requires schools to do and why Title IX is so essential in protecting civil rights.

The videos and discussion guide can be utilized by teachers, parents, or other educators.  

•  &  

The following resources outline newly released regulations from the U.S. Department of Education:

• The full (May 6, 2020)

What training do staff who conduct investigations have?

All staff in schools who are designated the "SCO" and who are responsible for Title IX investigations have specialized training. Additionally, the Title IX Director and Title IX Investigator are required to complete annual training on topics such as: conducting investigations, how to ask open-ended questions, the neurobiology of trauma, implicit/confirmation bias, and much more. 

34 CFR Part 106.45(b)(10) of the 2020 Title IX Regulations requires the public sharing of materials used to train Title IX Coordinators. 

The following provides a sample and is not an exhaustive list:

• (Forensic Experiential Trauma Interviewing)

There are various medical exams for survivors of sexual assault. Which one you receive will depend on how much time has elapsed and your specific medical needs. You don't need to figure this out by yourself. On-call advocates at (Sexual Assault Resource Center) or  will respond to Portland-area hospitals and support you throughout the exam.

What is a Rape Kit (SAFE Exam)?

If you wish to obtain a SANE exam, also known as a 'rape kit," you will visit a hospital or emergency room that has certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). You may not be sure whether or not you wish to report to law enforcement, fortunately, you do not need to make that decision right away. You can receive a SANE exam whether or not you decide to report to the police.  

Who Will Do the Exam?

SANE nurses are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical training in the medical forensic care of a person who has experienced sexual assault or abuse. In Oregon, the SAE/SANE Certification Commission (Oregon Attorney General's Task Force on Sexual Assault) ensures that nurses who provide sexual assault medical care and/or those who conduct forensic examinations have the necessary training and qualifications to do so in accordance with the best standards of care from using a survivor-centered approach.

SANE nurses can do any of the following:

• Conduct a full medical history and evaluation
• Gather forensic evidence that may or may not be used in a future investigation
• Initate prophylaxis for STD/STI's
• Advise/provide emergency contraception 
• Make referrals to other agencies

What if I Am Unable to Pay?

If you are concerned about how to pay for your medical care, apply for  or .  Advocates from and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance Program are available to support you through the medical process. 

Where Can I Go For a SAFE Exam?

Generally, most hospital emergency rooms offer SAFE exams - it is a good idea to call ahead just to be sure. We recommend you bring a trusted adult along with a trained survivor advocate to support you in navigating these systems.