DENVER – Among the many custom and historical past of Denver East Excessive Faculty is a query requested by college students like Lilia Scudamore about how her faculty dealt with sure prices.

“We notice that there was a number of miscommunication and a lack of expertise from the district on what the Title IX course of actually is and the way individuals can take motion when confronted with the problem. sexual harassment or sexual assault, ”Scudamore mentioned.

She’s a senior in East and needs to know if Denver Public Colleges (DPS) are doing sufficient to vary what some college students are calling a “rape tradition.” In September, college students protested after one other allegation of sexual assault at East Excessive Faculty final summer time. That is after years of issues with accusations of assault, harassment and the way in which academics on the faculty deal with their reporting.

“Title IX is federal legislation that forestalls discrimination based mostly on intercourse in all faculties that obtain faculty funding,” Scudamore mentioned.

The DPS, like each faculty district, should develop a coverage based mostly on federal legislation referred to as Title IX. Scudamore is a part of the Scholar Training Council and a part of an effort for the DPS to right its procedures to make sure victims have a voice.

“Our largest concern was merely the shortage of accessibility of our Title IX coverage to college students who’re youthful and who’re additionally college students who communicate different languages,” mentioned Scudamore.

She mentioned district coverage doesn’t correctly tackle when a scholar menace ought to be faraway from campus.

“This complete part isn’t even in DPS insurance policies,” Scudamore mentioned.

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Michele Berge is the final counsel of DPS. She applauds Scudamore’s ardour.

“Thanks in your advocacy. Thanks for combating for a greater course of. Thanks for ensuring the method is best for you,” Berge mentioned.

Berge mentioned the district modified its Title IX insurance policies in August and was always seeking to enhance the foundations.

“An important factor we will do is the cures, that is proper, as a result of we have now to ensure the scholars are protected and guarded, after which really feel protected and guarded,” Berge mentioned.

Scudamore needs to see Title IX info displayed prominently on every faculty’s web site.

“Actually for these conversations to happen from elementary stage, so when college students usually tend to confront them in center and highschool, they know find out how to act, they may have sources obtainable to them,” Scudamore mentioned.

Ellen Kelty is the District Director of Scholar Fairness and Alternative. Kelty mentioned educating college students the which means of ‘no’ and harassment can begin early.

“Serving to college students perceive their rights and perceive consent, understanding find out how to shield themselves begins in kindergarten,” Kelty mentioned.

His crew created a video on consent and obligatory reporting within the fall for college students and households round DPS.

“Our college students, particularly our daughters, discover their voice they usually discover their voice round consent,” Kelty mentioned.

It is a voice that desires to vary a perceived tradition at East Excessive Faculty. It is a voice that Scudamore says begins with a query and a request for solutions even after commencement.

“I might like to proceed this work, however I consider it is usually as much as different college students to proceed to do it,” mentioned Scudamore.

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