Sexual Harassment
UCSB does not tolerate sexual harassment, which is prohibited by University policy and state and federal law. The Office of Equal Opportunity & Sexual Harassment / Title IX Compliance (OEOSH/TC) provides assistance in preventing and resolving & investigating complaints of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. To proactively address these issues on our campus, the OEOSH/TC also provides:
- Preventative education
- Regular in-person training sessions
- Coordination of the legally mandated AB 1825 supervisory training
- Customized departmental trainings
- Distribution of the University policy and procedures regarding sexual harassment on an annual basis
The OEOSH/TC provides information about campus policies and procedures related to complaint resolution to any interested campus community member. Individual consultations can be scheduled for persons who need general information about possible response options or to supervisory staff who request a review of their specific reporting responsibilities to address information about possible sexual harassment of which they have become aware.
Confidentiality
The OEOSH/TC is an office of record and, as such, cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality. While the complainant’s wishes regarding confidentiality will be considered, they must be balanced against the University’s responsibility to respond to such reports and the rights of the accused to be informed of the allegations against them, including their source. The University will limit disclosures to what is reasonably necessary to conduct a fair investigation and determine appropriate disciplinary recommendations. All participants in an investigation will be advised that they are obliged to maintain confidentiality as well.
If you are unsure as to how to proceed and want to review a detailed inquiry relating to a concern about sexual harassment while maintaining complete confidentiality, you can consult the UC Santa Barbara Office of the Ombuds, which will hold the confidentiality of the discussion to the fullest extent permitted by law, even if the respondent(s) and associated behavior(s) are identified. Reporting potential incidents of sexual harassment to the Office of the Ombuds does not put the University on notice and will not trigger a legal obligation to investigate. Anyone who wants to “put the University on notice” should contact the OEOSH/TC to initiate this process.
Reporting a Complaint
If you believe you may be experiencing sexual harassment, there are multiple resources on campus available to receive your complaint. UCSB has designated trained individuals who work in coordination with the OEOSH/TC to serve as additional resources for members of the campus community who have questions or concerns regarding behavior that may constitute sexual harassment. A full listing of these resources is available on the right navigation.
University policy does not require that persons who believe they have been victims of sexual harassment file a formal complaint.
Potential Responses
The OEOSH/TC offers a variety of resolutions including, but not limited to:
- Referral to mediation, counseling or other appropriate campus resource
- Education/Training
- Investigation (formal & informal complaints)
Potential Resolutions
As a result of the OEOSH/TC’s involvement, the following recommendations may be made:
- Remedies for the Complainant
- Education/Training
- Policy updates, clarification and/or distribution
- Reassignments
- Disciplinary Action
Protection from Retaliation
The University also prohibits retaliation against any employee or applicant who reports a complaint of discrimination or harassment or participates in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a complaint.
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