W. Va. Code R. § 126-18-4

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-18-4 - Definitions

4.1. Sexual Harassment - Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:

4.1.1. submission to the conduct or communication is made a term or condition, either explicitly or implicitly, of obtaining or retaining employment, or of obtaining an education; or

4.1.2. submission to or rejection of that conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting that individual's employment or education; or

4.1.3. that conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual's employment or education; or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment or educational environment.

4.1.4. sexual harassment may include but is not limited to:

a. unwelcome verbal harassment of a sexual nature or abuse;

b. unwelcome pressure for sexual activity;

c. unwelcome, sexually motivated or inappropriate patting, pinching or physical contact;

d. unwelcome sexual behavior or words, including demands for sexual favors, accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning an individual's employment or educational status;

e. unwelcome sexual behavior or words, including demands for sexual favors, accompanied by implied or overt promises of preferential treatment with regard to an individual's employment or educational status; or

f. unwelcome behavior, verbal or written words or symbols directed at an individual because of gender.

g. the use of authority to emphasize the sexuality of a student in a manner that prevents or impairs that student's full enjoyment of educational benefits, climate or opportunities.

4.2. Racial Harassment - Racial harassment consists of physical, verbal or written conduct relating to an individual's race when the conduct:

4.2.1. has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment;

4.2.2. has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance; or

4.2.3. otherwise adversely affects an individual's employment or academic opportunities.

4.3. Religious/Ethnic Harassment - Religious/ethnic harassment consists of physical, verbal or written conduct which is related to an individual's religion or ethnic background when the conduct:

4.3.1. has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment;

4.3.2. has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance; or

4.3.3. otherwise adversely affects an individual's employment or academic opportunities.

4.4. Sexual Violence - Sexual violence is a physical act of aggression or force or the threat thereof which involves the touching of another's intimate parts, or forcing a person to touch any person's intimate parts. Intimate parts include the primary genital area, groin, inner thigh, buttocks or breast, as well as the clothing covering these areas:

4.4.1. sexual violence may include, but is not limited to:

a. touching, patting, grabbing or pinching another person's intimate parts, whether that person is of the same sex or the opposite sex;

b. coercing, forcing or attempting to coerce or force the touching of anyone's intimate parts;

c. coercing, forcing or attempting to coerce or force sexual intercourse or a sexual act on another; or

d. threatening to force or coerce sexual acts, including the touching of intimate parts or intercourse, on another.

e. threatening or forcing exposure of intimate apparel or body parts by removal of clothing.

4.5. Racial Violence - Racial violence is a physical act of aggression or assault upon another because of, or in a manner reasonably related to, race.

4.6. Religious/Ethnic Violence - Religious/ethnic violence is a physical act of aggression or assault upon another because of, or in a manner reasonably related to, religion or ethnicity.

4.7. Assault - Assault is:

4.7.1. an act done with intent to cause fear in another of immediate bodily harm or death;

4.7.2. the threat to do bodily harm to another with present ability to carry out the threat.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-18-4