Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Reporting and Resources

Sexual assault and sexual harassment both can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental and physical health. New Trier encourages students to report instances of sexual assault or sexual harassment and seek help from trusted adults, mental health professionals, and the school. RAINN, the country’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, provides numerous resources for survivors of sexual assault including a 24/7 hotline and also has information on identifying and reporting sexual harassment. 

New Trier is committed to providing a safe environment for all students. When a student reports allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment, we do all we can as a school to provide support for that student while working with them and their family to provide resources and determine how to make them feel safe at school. This page includes information on how to report sexual assault and sexual harassment to the school, what the school does in response to these reports, and what supports students may access at school. 

Reporting a sexual assault

Sexual assault is a criminal act. We encourage all students to talk to a parent/guardian or trusted adult and immediately report allegations of sexual assault to police. Local law enforcement agencies have the authority and resources to investigate these allegations and gather evidence. 

If the assault took place on campus, after reporting the assault to police, the parent/guardian or student should contact New Trier and provide as much information as possible so the school can assist in the investigation. As importantly, New Trier will provide support through the Adviser Chair, Assistant Principal, or Principal, who will coordinate services and requests to help the student feel safe at school. If a student or parent/guardian is uncomfortable going to the Adviser Chair, Assistant Principal, or Principal, they should report the incident to their Adviser or another trusted adult. 

If the assault took place off campus but involved other students, after reporting the assault to police, the parent/guardian or student should report the assault to the Adviser Chair, Assistant Principal, or Principal so New Trier can support the student, provide resources, and help them feel safe at school. New Trier will work with the student, family, and adviser to provide support that may include Social Work services, academic support, or classroom separation requests, among other considerations. 

New Trier must share any report of sexual assault made to the school with the student’s parents/guardians as well as with law enforcement.  

Some of the school’s actions may be dictated by a legal or criminal process. As a public school, New Trier is obligated to provide an education to all students who live in the district and to provide due process to students accused of any criminal acts. At the same time, the school will do all it can to offer a safe educational environment to students who have reported sexual assault. 

Students who have witnessed or been told about a potential sexual assault are encouraged to talk to a parent/guardian or trusted adult and share that information with police. They also are encouraged to talk to their adviser or report the incident to their Adviser Chair, Assistant Principal, or Principal. 

Reporting sexual harassment 

New Trier is committed to providing an educational environment free of verbal, physical, or other conduct or communications constituting sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can occur between students, between adults and students, and between adults regardless of gender or gender identity. 

Students are encouraged to promptly report incidents of sexual harassment to the Nondiscrimination/Title IX Coordinator at nondiscriminationcoordinator@nths.net or to the Principal, Assistant Principal, or any employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking.  A student who wishes to make a report may choose to report to a person of the same gender or gender identity and to any employee of the District. 

Reports of sexual harassment at school may fall under the District’s Title IX policy and procedures or another Board policysuch as:  7:20 ( Harassment of Students Prohibited );  2:260 ( Uniform Grievance Procedure ); or 5:20 ( Workpl ace Harassment Prohibited ). These reports go to the Title IX Coordinator, who will contact the student making a complaint to (1) discuss the availability of supportive measures, (2) consider the student's wishes with respect to supportive measures, (3) inform the student of the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a Formal Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint, and (4) explain the process for filing a Formal Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint. The Coordinator will also analyze the report to identify and determine whether there is another or an additional appropriate method(s) for processing and reviewing it. 

If a student files a formal complaint, the District will go through a process to investigate the complaint, affording as much privacy as possible. Any District employee who is determined, at the conclusion of the grievance process, to have engaged in Title IX sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action. Any District student who is determined, at the conclusion of the grievance process, to have engaged in Title IX sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action. Any person making a knowingly false accusation regarding Title IX sexual harassment will likewise be subject to disciplinary action. The District prohibits any form of retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, has made a report or complaint, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in a proceeding under the Title IX sexual harassment policy. 

Resources for Students Who Have Been Affected by Sexual Assault or Harassment

RAINN: The country’s largest anti-sexual violence organization has a 24/7 hotline and chat for anyone affected by sexual violence. RAINN’s website includes numerous resources, including information about warning signs of sexual violence, effects of sexual violence, bystander intervention, and how to offer support. 

New Trier Social Work: New Trier Social Workers can help assess educational impact and the need for school-based services and/or provide counseling resources in the community. The Social Work webpage includes information on how to access services in non-emergency situations, including through the Bookings system in Canvas. 

Text a Tip is a 24/7 anonymous text-communication system for youth needing immediate mental health assistance for themselves or a friend.   

Text to: 844-823-5323 

Enter Text: TREVHELP

Crisis Hotlines: These hotlines provide support in a number of situations:  

• Chicago Rape Crisis Line 888-293-2080
• Child Neglect/Abuse 800-252-2873
• The Disaster Distress Helpline 800-985-5990 (24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.)
• Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline 877-863-6338 or 877-TO END DV
• LGBTQ Help Line 866-488-7386
• National Alliance on Mental Illness 708-524-2582
• National Runaway Line 800-786-2929
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255
  

NW CASA – 847-806-6526
(888) 802-8890
http://www.nwcasa.org/

Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center
847-872-7799
https://zcenter.org/

Kristine Hummel (she, her), LCSW, CADC
847-784-2113

Trev Tips: This form allows for anonymous reporting to New Trier staff. Concerns reported on days when school is not in session, or after regular school hours, will not be seen until the following school day. In cases of sexual assault or sexual harassment, TrevTips is generally not the best way to report an incident, as it is more difficult to follow up on anonymous tips. We encourage students who do use TrevTips in these circumstances to include their contact information and as many details as possible so the school can provide appropriate support.