Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) does not discriminate in employment nor in the provision of educational programs, services, and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.
PWCS is committed to providing learning and working environments that are free from all forms of discrimination. PWCS encourages all members of the school community to work together to prevent and remedy discrimination, including harassment.
Report Discrimination and Harassment
Every member of the school community is obligated to report any suspected instances of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions (including lactation), age, disability, or any other prohibited basis under the law.
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
Students, Parents, and Families
- If a student or parent suspects any form of discrimination or harassment, they should promptly report it to the principal or assistant principal.
- The target of the alleged discrimination or harassment (the Complainant) or the parent can report discrimination or harassment using the reporting form.
- The Compliance and Support Team will investigate all allegations of discrimination or harassment and serve as a resource to families throughout the investigation and resolution process.
- If it is determined that discrimination or harassment occurred, PWCS will take corrective measures to safeguard the Complainant's access to educational programs and prevent discrimination or harassment from recurring.
- Students and parents who would like additional information about how allegations of discrimination or harassment are investigated and resolved are encouraged to contact the Compliance and Support Team.
Employees
PWCS employees should visit the Compliance and Support Launchpad page for more information on how to report an allegation of discrimination and harassment.
Reporting Title IX - Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and School Board Policy 738 prohibit harassment based on sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation. PWCS encourages all students, and requires all employees, to immediately report misconduct of a sexual nature to school officials. For information about how to report sexual misconduct, see the section below entitled "Reporting Sexual Misconduct Involving One or More Students."
Who can report?
Any person can report misconduct of a sexual nature. To report sexual misconduct directly to the Title IX Coordinator, use the online reporting form.
A printable version of the Formal Complaint of Title IX Sexual Harassment can be completed and filed with the Title IX Coordinator.
What happens after a report is made?
After receiving a report of sexual misconduct involving one or more students, the Compliance and Support Team will determine whether the alleged misconduct could constitute Title IX Sexual Harassment as defined in Regulation 738-1, "Resolution of Allegations Against Students of Sexual Misconduct".
If the alleged misconduct could constitute Title IX Sexual Harassment, PWCS will make supportive measures available to the reported target of the alleged harassment (the Complainant) and to the student who has been accused of harassment (the Respondent).
Supportive measures are not disciplinary or punitive; rather, they are individualized services designed to enable the Complainant and Respondent to continue receiving educational programs and activities while the allegation is being investigated and resolved.
Following a Title IX investigation, if it is determined that the Respondent sexually harassed the Complainant, PWCS will implement remedies designed to restore or preserve the Complainant's equal access to PWCS education programs or activities and to prevent the harassment from recurring.
Frequently Asked Questions
View the Title IX Family Guide to get answers to frequently asked questions.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality
To the extent possible, information relating to a complaint and/or investigation of discrimination or discriminatory harassment shall be kept confidential, except as necessary to conduct a full and fair investigation allowing the Respondent to defend himself or herself.
When a Complainant reports to PWCS any form of discrimination or discriminatory harassment but requests confidentiality, such request may limit the ability to investigate and take necessary corrective action.
When a Complainant requests that PWCS not investigate such misconduct, PWCS shall determine whether it can honor such a request in accordance with applicable laws. In such situations, PWCS may determine that it shall investigate or report to law enforcement, or both.
False Statements, Retaliation and Interference Prohibited
False Statements Prohibited
A PWCS student or employee who knowingly makes a false report or written complaint, or who knowingly presents a false statement, shall be subject, as appropriate, to discipline under the PWCS “Code of Behavior”; or Regulation 503-1, “Standards of Professional Conduct for all Employees,” and Regulation 572-1, “Disciplinary Action.”
Retaliation and/or Interference Prohibited
PWCS strictly prohibits retaliation against an individual who reports alleged discrimination or discriminatory harassment; or who assists, participates in or refuses to participate in the investigation of discrimination or discriminatory harassment.
Students and employees may not interfere with or obstruct the investigation nor influence or attempt to influence the testimony of any witness. Such misconduct by a PWCS student or employee shall be addressed, as appropriate, under the PWCS “Code of Behavior”; or under Regulation 503-1, “Standards of Professional Conduct for all Employees,” and Regulation 572-1, “Disciplinary Action.”
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