Mitigation of Problematic Sexual Behavior within K-12 School Communities, A Multi-Disciplinary, Multi-Agency Approach
For two decades, the Mid-Valley Student Threat Assessment Team (STAT) has been a well-functioning entity focused on behavioral threat assessment. In 2008, Salem-Keizer Public Schools created a parallel model to address problematic sexual behavior (PSB) within a K-12 student population. Based on research, best practice, and state and federal statute, the Sexual Incident Response Committee (SIRC) examines sexualized behaviors through a developmental lens for the purpose of intervention for the student of concern, the mitigation of risk to others, and interventions and supports for those who have been impacted by the sexual behavior of students. SIRC addresses a broad spectrum of concerning student behavior, including but not limited to sexually reactive behavior correlated with trauma, non-normative sexual behavior or normative behaviors manifesting in non-normative settings, students with developmental or cognitive impairment with a nexus to PSB, student sexual harassment, digital exploitation and sexual misconduct that is criminal in nature. Built from a collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-agency structure, the team operates a regional system that serves school districts and the surrounding community. SIRC encompasses critical community partners including public mental health, our regional child abuse assessment center, Department of Human Services, Child Welfare and Developmental Disabilities, law enforcement from three area jurisdictions, community juvenile justice and Oregon Youth Authority, and the Marion County District Attorney's office. This session will outline how collaborative social service and school district partnerships can foster developmentally appropriate response to sexualized behaviors, maximize intervention and support for youth of concern and their families and most importantly, foster both a sense of psychological and physical safety within schools.