After a child protective agency completes its investigation, what action should the administrator take regarding suspected sexual harassment?

• A. Refrain from any further action.
• B. Contact the family of the involved student only.
• C. End any further internal investigations.
• D. Address and conduct a prompt investigation into whether sexual harassment occurred.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that school administrators must respond quickly and thoroughly when there are allegations of sexual harassment. After a child protective agency completes its work, the administrator should promptly address the issue within the school and begin a careful internal investigation to determine whether sexual harassment occurred. This is essential because sexual harassment can create a continuing unsafe environment for students, and the district has a responsibility to protect students, ensure due process, and enforce policy.

In practice, a prompt internal investigation means gathering information promptly, interviewing the involved students and relevant witnesses, reviewing available evidence, and documenting findings while safeguarding confidentiality and preventing retaliation. Meanwhile, interim measures should be put in place to protect the student who reports harassment and to minimize further harm—these might include changes to schedules, access restrictions, or support services as appropriate. The investigation should determine whether harassment occurred and what policy violations, if any, occurred, leading to appropriate corrective actions and ongoing monitoring. Delaying action, only contacting families, or halting internal inquiries would leave students unprotected and do not align with the school’s obligations.