Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policies and Procedures

Three Treasures Sangha of the Pacific Northwest

Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policies and Procedures

Adopted 5/14/2006, Revised Oct 2008, minor revisions 2023

 

This document outlines sangha sexual misconduct and harassment policies. These policies are to be communicated to our membership on an annual basis as a requirement of both our insurance carrier and a sangha resolution adopted in 2006.

The policies are a way to let everyone know that we do not tolerate any sexual harassment or misconduct in any of our sangha activities, that there is a system to encourage the reporting of any such misconduct or harassment, and to lay out a set of procedures that will be followed if any alleged misconduct or harassment is reported. If you have comments or questions about these policies, please direct them to one of the board of directors.

 

Policy:

Three Treasures Sangha of the Pacific Northwest (TTS) does not condone or tolerate any sexual harassment by officers, directors, contractors, or members of the organization during any organization sponsored activity or any activity related to the business of the organization, whether such activities occur on the premises of the Seattle Practice Center or elsewhere.

TTS does not condone or tolerate any sexual misconduct between members during any organization sponsored activity or any activity related to the business of the organization, whether such activities occur on the premises or elsewhere.

 

Procedures:

Responsibility for compliance: The Treasurer of TTS will be responsible for assuring that procedures stated herein are followed.

Publication of policies and procedures: Members will be notified of this document and given access to it (whether in hard-copy or web-link) at least once annually.

Reporting of incidents of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment: Members aware of incidents of sexual misconduct or harassment must notify the Treasurer. If the Treasurer is involved in the incident, then the President must be notified. If neither the Treasurer or President can be reached, then at least one other Board member must be contacted, starting first with the Vice President. Contact information for the Treasurer and the President (and other officers) will be regularly published in organization materials or through the list-serve. The officer receiving the report will facilitate the reporting member(s) completion of the Incident Reporting Form attached to this document (or similar) and proceed with notifications as required below.

Responses to reports received: Upon receiving information about instances of sexual misconduct or harassment, the Treasurer (or President, if the Treasurer is involved) will immediately take steps to assure the safety of all in the community by:

  1. Appropriately limiting contact of the accused individual until the matter is settled.
  2. Notifying the Board of Directors, the insurance carrier, and government officials as appropriate.
  3. Notifying the family of a minor immediately, if a minor is involved in anyway.
  4. Initiating an investigation by the Board as appropriate.
  5. Seeking legal counsel on behalf of the organization if the officer receiving the report or the Board as a whole is uncertain as to what action is appropriate.
  6. Keeping Sangha members informed of the investigation to the degree possible without violating confidentiality and privacy of those involved.
  7. Allowing the accused every opportunity possible to defend themselves against false accusations whether arising from mistaken perceptions, malicious intent, or any other baseless charges.
  8. Immediately prohibiting the accused from any future contact with minors in the activities of the Sangha if a charge of sexual misconduct involving a minor is substantiated.
  9. If a charge of sexual harassment or misconduct of an adult is substantiated, scheduling a Board meeting with the accused to consider a reasonable and measured course of action (depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the offense) that may include expulsion, or another chance to remain in the Sangha. If another chance is granted, the Board must assure the safety of members of the Sangha from harm.

 

Each of the steps taken in response to an incident of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment will be conducted as expeditiously as possible, documented, signed and dated.

Supervision of minors: (Definition of “minor”: A “minor” is any individual under the age of eighteen (18) or whose mental capacity is that of an individual under the age of eighteen (18).)

When minors are being supervised during TTS-sponsored events or business:

  1. At least one adult will be present that is either a parent (or guardian) of the minor, or an adult to whom the parent has given permission for such supervision.
  2. If the parent or guardian is not present, then at least two adults must be present for supervision.
  3. Permission should be given on the form attached to this document, or another with equivalent information.
  4. Such forms may be completed, filed and held until revoked by the parent.

Parental responsibility: Parents are responsible for supervision of their children, or for providing permission for another to supervise. Parents also have the right to interview such supervisors, conduct a criminal background check of supervisors, or ask if such a background check has already been conducted.

Background checks may be conducted on line for $10/name at: https://watch.wsp.wa.gov/

Members of the Board of Directors, Three Treasures Sangha of the Pacific Northwest, commit to follow the above policies and procedures.

 

Washington Administrative Codes Describing Sexual Misconduct

According to the Washington Administrative Code, sexual misconduct with students and sexual harassment are defined as:

 

WAC 250.71.060 Sexual harassment.

Each institution shall develop and annually distribute to students, faculty, and staff, policies and procedures for handling complaints of sexual harassment, including:

  • A definition of sexual harassment which includes, but is not necessarily limited to, unwanted verbal or physical sexual behavior of faculty or staff toward students, supervisors toward student supervisees, or students toward students.
  • The name, address, and phone number of one or more persons to whom complaints may be addressed, and the procedures available.

 

WAC 180.87.080 Sexual misconduct with students

Unprofessional conduct includes the commission by an education practitioner of any sexually exploitive act with or to a student including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Any sexual advance, verbal or physical;

(2) Sexual intercourse as defined in RCW 9A.44.010;

(3) Indecent exposure as defined in RCW 9A.88.010;

(4) Sexual contact, i.e., the intentional touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a student except to the extent necessary and appropriate to attend to the hygienic or health needs of the student;

(5) Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply if at the time of the sexual conduct the participants are married to each other.