GII Code of Conduct - Sexual Misconduct Policy

Sexual misconduct encompasses a range of behavior used to obtain sexual gratification against another’s will or at the expense of another. Sexual misconduct includes sexual harassment, sexual assault and any conduct of a sexual nature without consent, or conduct which has the effect of threatening or intimidating the person against whom such conduct is directed. State laws vary on defining acts which constitute sexual misconduct.
 
DEFINITION
 
Sexual misconduct involves touching and non-touching behavior that can cause physical, mental or emotional harm to an individual.  It also includes any act or conduct described as sexual abuse or misconduct under federal or state law (i.e. child sexual abuse).  Generally, sexual misconduct can involve any of the following acts:

Examples of sexual misconduct prohibited under this policy include, without limitation:
 
1. Touching Offenses

• Intentional touching without consent whether directly or through clothing
• Forcing a victim to engage in touching another person in a sexual manner
• Sexual intercourse or conduct without consent
• Sexual relations or intimacies between persons in a position of trust and/or authority over individuals
  

 2. Non-touching offenses:

• A person in a position of trust and/or authority over another discussing his/her sex life with a minor or subordinate
• A person in a position of trust and/or authority over another asking a minor or subordinate about his/her sex life
• Requesting or sending a nude or partially-dressed photo
• Exposing any participant to pornographic material likely to cause affront or alarm
• Sending sexually explicit or suggestive electronic or written messages or photos (i.e. “sexting”)
• Deliberately exposing an individual to sexual acts
• Exposing genitals under circumstances likely to cause affront or alarm
• Soliciting or requesting another person to engage in sexual conduct under circumstances in which he/she knows his/her requests or solicitation is likely to cause affront or alarm
• Sexually harassing behavior (as later defined in the harassment policy)

 3. Child Sexual Abuse:

• Any sexual activity with a minor (anyone under eighteen (18) years of age).  Minors cannot consent to sexual activity with an adult, and all sexual interaction between an adult and a minor is strictly prohibited.  This includes sexual contact with a child that is accomplished by deception, manipulation, force or threat of force, regardless of the age of the participants, and all sexual interaction between an adult and child, regardless of whether there is deception or the child understands the sexual nature of the activity.
• Note concerning peer-to-peer child sexual abuse: Sexual contact between minors also can be abusive. Whether or not a sexual interaction between children constitutes child sexual abuse turns on the existence of an aggressor, the age difference between the children, and/or whether there is an imbalance of power and/or intellectual capabilities.
• Any act or conduct described as child sexual abuse under federal or state law.

EXAMPLES

Sexually abusive acts may include sexual penetration, sexual touching or non-contact sexual acts such as verbal acts, sexually suggestive electronic or written communication, or exposure.

EXCEPTIONS

Coaches or persons in a position of trust and/or authority should avoid nudity in the presence of members whenever possible; however, nudity, but not lewd activity, as it exists in a changing facility or common shower facility is not sexual misconduct.  Pushing a member up a hill that consents is not considered a touching offense.

RETURN TO GII Code of Conduct