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WACs > Title 516 > Chapter 516-21 > Section 516-21-180
516-21-170
516-21-190
Agency filings affecting this section
WAC 516-21-180
Sexual misconduct.
(1) Sexual misconduct, defined as any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that is committed without consent or by force, intimidation, or coercion, is a violation of the code. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Sexual harassment (e.g., engaging in unwelcome verbal, written, or physical behavior of a sexual nature that is directed at another person or group, based on that person or group's sex, gender, or perceived sex or gender);
(b) Sexual intimidation (e.g., engaging in any behavior, either verbal or nonverbal, that has the effect of subjecting another person to humiliation, embarrassment, or discomfort because of their sex, gender, or perceived sex or gender);
(c) Sexual coercion (e.g., engaging in the use of pressure, alcohol or drugs, or force to compel or persuade another person to engage in sexual activity);
(d) Sexual exploitation (e.g., engaging in voyeurism or peeping, distributing intimate or sexual information about another person without that person's consent, knowingly transmitting an STD or HIV to another person, or engaging in any behavior that takes sexual advantage of another person without that person's consent);
(e) Sexual assault (e.g., engaging in actual or attempted sexual touching, genital-oral contact, penetration, and/or intercourse without consent).
(2) Consent for all sexual activity must be given free of force, threat, intimidation, or coercion. At the time of the sexual activity, actual words or conduct demonstrating freely given agreement must occur; silence or passivity do not imply consent. Activity of a sexual nature is considered nonconsensual when:
(a) An individual is asleep, unconscious, or otherwise physically unable to communicate his or her willingness or unwillingness to engage in sexual activity;
(b) An individual lacks the ability, at the time of sexual activity, to be able to understand the nature or consequences of the activity, whether due to illness; impairment; the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; or another cause; or
(c) An individual is not of legal age to give consent.
(3) Sexual misconduct represents a range of behavior; it can occur between strangers or acquaintances, including individuals involved in an intimate or sexual relationship. Sexual misconduct can also be committed by individuals of any gender and can occur between people of the same or different sex. See also sexual misconduct policy and procedure in the catalog.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.35.120(12) and 20 U.S.C. 1681-1688 (Title IX Education Amendments of 1972). WSR 12-01-021, § 516-21-180, filed 12/9/11, effective 1/9/12.]
