University revises sexual violence, harassment policies

The University recently revised its sexual harassment and sexual violence policies, effective July 1.

These changes mark the third time Penn has updated its policies in two years. Previous updates came in 2014 and February 2015 in accordance with the Department of Education and “to accommodate newly issued guidance and legislation,” according to the Office of University Communications.

The school changed its sexual harassment policy “to be more inclusive” of a range of sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. The updated policy clarified procedures for making formal complaints and added sections about the complaint process for anyone visiting Penn, as well as anti-retaliation provisions.

The revision also included language to clarify that instances of sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking should be referred to under the sexual violence policy rather than the sexual harassment policy.

Administration amended its sexual violence policy to include single acts of relationship violence within its coverage. The revision included updates on confidential and non-confidential resource information, added a reporting and monitoring section for sexual violence and clarified that “complaints of sexual violence against enrolled students and faculty will be investigated by the Sexual Violence Investigative Officer.” Deborah Harley holds the position, and was appointed in January.

The University changed its sexual harassment and violence guidelines in 2014, the “first update of Penn’s policy in many years.” The policy was then updated again in February 2015 “to expressly include relationship violence and to accommodate newly issued guidance and legislation.”

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