Campus bolsters sexual harassment program as new law takes effect

  • by Clifton B. Parker

The university is taking steps to comply with a new statewide sexual harassment law.

In October, California adopted a law that requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide two hours of sexual harassment awareness education to all supervisory employees beginning January 2005. While the campus and the medical center already have sexual harassment informational programs in place, the new law will bolster and expand those efforts, say campus officials.

"It's a new opportunity to look at different ways of delivering information on sexual harassment issues to our employees," said Lisa Brodkey, director of the Sexual Harassment Education program on campus.

Toward this goal, Brodkey said UC Davis will develop a new online training program and strengthen its current in-person and departmental training program to meet the new requirements. Last year, her unit gave 53 presentations on sexual harassment to a total of 1,854 people.

Brodkey said that she and Dennis Shimek, senior associate vice chancellor for human resources, have asked for feedback from all deans and vice chancellors on the most effective way to distribute information about the law.

"We are listening to what works for different units and contexts," Brodkey said. "We hope to offer the online training as early as January."

However, she emphasized that online training alone is often not the best way to develop an awareness of sexual harassment issues and policies. "It is by talking with other people that one becomes deeply informed and sensitive about this topic. A combination of both, online and in-person training, is a strong approach."

Under existing state law, every employer is required to ensure a workplace free of sexual harassment by taking certain minimum steps including posting sexual harassment information materials in the workplace and obtaining and making available an information sheet on sexual harassment.

Brodkey said the university has long provided the UC Davis community with information about sexual harassment policies and procedures and, upon request, has provided sexual harassment prevention training for faculty, staff and students. She said examples of sexual harassment include:

  • personal comments or questions
  • sexual jokes and innuendoes
  • unwanted, repeated requests for dates
  • suggestive looks, gestures and sounds
  • sexual touching
  • posters or cartoons

Under UC guidelines, sexual harassment does not include verbal expression of written material that is related to university research and academic activities.

Raising visibility

After Jan. 1, 2006, employers will be required to provide sexual harassment awareness education to each supervisory employee once every two years. This bill applies equally to state government employees, including the UC system.

"The trend in the law has made it clear that employers should not simply hand out an anti-harassment policy but must actually provide training to each employee on how to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of workplace harassment," she said.

Brodkey said that sexual harassment advisers on campus and at the medical center are available to help employees with complaints and inquiries. These are specially trained faculty and staff who understand sexual harassment laws, UC Davis policy and complaint resolution. Those wishing to talk with an adviser can contact the Sexual Harassment Education Office.

"Our purpose is to prevent and resolve problems informally and confidentially," said Brodkey. "Dealing with a sexual harassment problem can be stressful, whether you have a complaint, have been accused or are otherwise involved."

"Often there is a verbal element" in sexual harassment, Brodkey said. She pointed out that sexual harassment produces a far-reaching "ripple effect." The individuals directly involved are affected by the emotional, physical and often financial repercussions of sexual harassment, and the ripple effect extends to others, too. Co-workers, classmates, friends and family members can also be hurt, she added.

"Remember, everyone at UC Davis is entitled to an environment free of sexual harassment," Brodkey said.

She said the UC system is initiating several new measures to strengthen existing sexual harassment policies and training procedures. After the 2002 sexual misconduct allegations by a former student of the dean at UC Berkeley's law school, the systemwide Academic Senate voted to ban consensual relationships between professors and any students current or with whom they may "reasonably expect" to have future academic responsibilities.

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Who can help?

If you need assistance or would like more information about sexual harassment policies at UC Davis, contact:

Media Resources

Clifton B. Parker, Dateline, (530) 752-1932, cparker@ucdavis.edu

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