It is further illegal for an employee or student to attempt in any way to retaliate against a person who makes a claim of sexual harassment. Students and staff from other countries must abide by U.S. laws and regulations while members of this community. Sexual assault and harassment, as described below, are never acceptable, although a special effort is made to explain and clarify the rules for those from other cultures who may not be familiar with such a code of behavior. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting that individual. Such conduct must be addressed by SIT in conjunction with any external criminal proceedings.
Sexual assault is defined as any sexual act that is perpetrated without consent of the victim.
The type of force employed may involve physical violence, coercion, or the threat of harm to any person. Unaware that the sexual act is taking place. Uses a position of authority over the victim to persuade him or her to submit. Examples of acts defined as sexual assault by Vermont law and World Learning policy include forcible rape by an acquaintance or stranger, incest, and sexual abuse of minors, as well as sexual assaults that do not involve penetration. This is especially true of amorous or sexual relationships between faculty and students or between administrators and students, given the inherently unequal structure of power between them within colleges.