PEA has extensive policies and procedures in place that govern our hiring process, set clear guidelines for the conduct of all faculty and staff members, and ensure that appropriate action is taken in the event of inappropriate conduct. Our training programs provide all employees with guidance and tools to help ensure healthy and safe student-adult relationships.
To support these standards, we have the following policies and trainings:
- The Academy’s strict Code of Conduct prohibits improper adult-student interactions and does not tolerate sexually inappropriate touching or interaction of any kind between any adult and students, regardless of age. Violators of this policy will be subject to serious penalties, up to and including termination and being barred from campus.
- All employees undergo a background check before they are hired and repeat background checks every five years. The same is true of all adult family members living on campus.
- Every year, Faculty receive comprehensive training about sexual abuse and assault, including their responsibilities under New Hampshire mandated reporting laws and about establishing appropriate boundaries when working with students or colleagues. All staff receive the same training every three years.
- Faculty annually participate in training presented by the Exeter Police Department, HAVEN and the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office on reporting obligations and sexual violence.