By EMILY WINSETT
Staff Writer
 

Following this incident, an awakening occurred on campus.

"Students became concerned with the fact that security did not deem this incident as important enough," comments Dominique Peck, head of the Women's Action Coalition. The incident has been correlated with domestic violence in the outside world, which particularly disturbs students on campus who hold the opinion that such violence should not occur at Bates College. The question then becomes, what are the sexual harassment policies instilled in our school, and how are they enforced?

There are three major steps in sexual harassment policies within the college, as outlined by President Harward. The first is the policy regarding sexual harassment on three different levels: faculty, staff and students. Each of these policies are listed in the respective handbooks. A common element in all of the policies is that sexual harassment charges will be prosecuted severely. Further, there is a Legal Council which anyone may go to with outside charges.

The second step regards the various procedures and routes which may be taken upon sexual harassment charges. There are three specific committees which can be reached. The first is the Common Relation Council with Bates. The second is the Maine Human Rights Commission to which violations of one's privacy although not necessarily lawbreaking acts can be taken. The third route is the Criminal Code which citizens must abide by. If something is done to an individual, which is in contradiction to the law, the police must handle the situation.

Finally, the third major step that Bates takes to protect against sexual harassment aggressors is to follow the mandatory guidelines set by state law. This is to ensure that the policies are stated clearly and accessibly, such as in the handbooks. Also, Bates must report to the Human Rights Committee all harassment charges brought to its notice. No details are necessary, only statistics. Finally, the College is required to provide training and workshops for dealing with harassment situations.