School Resources


Why go to a counselor?

  • The school counselors at TWHS work with many different students that experience traumatic life events like sexual violence.

  • The counselors can also refer you to people who are even more specialized in sexual violence. There are social workers and mental health specialists at TWHS. The school is also connected with North Community Counseling Centers.

  • They can also help with getting a variety of accommodations for you so you can feel comfortable in the school building.


What are the options for available accommodations?

  • "Stay away order" (An order that prohibits a certain individual(s) from having any contact with you at school)

  • Class schedule changes

  • Potential change in school (TW, WK, Linworth, or Academy)

  • Safe spaces/people (The school will help identify a person or place to go to if you need a break and somewhere to decompress during the school day)

  • Private restroom privileges in offices


Why go to an administrator?

  • The administrators at TWHS can also provide you with the available accommodations

  • If you want your teachers to know so that they can give you extra support, you can tell an administrator and they will contact your teachers for you.

  • TWHS is responsible to create a safe learning environment for you. They are required by federal law to protect you from sexual harassment at school and at school-sponsored events. They are also required to conduct an investigation if they receive a report about sexual harassment.


What is involved in an investigation?

If you experienced sexual violence at school or at a school-sponsored event the school is required to do an investigation. The school investigation process would look like this:


  1. You're encouraged to report the case to the school within 30 days of the incident. When you report it to a staff member at the school, they must report it to an administrator within 48 hours.

  2. If you (and your parents, if you're under 18) agree to an investigation, the person you're accusing will be notified (and their parents, if under 18).

  3. The investigation can take no longer than 60 days. You, along with witnesses, and the person you're accusing must keep the investigation confidential. Retaliation against you from the person you're accusing, or others, is not tolerated and will be taken seriously by the school.

  4. At the end of the investigation, the school will send their findings and recommendations as a written report to the superintendent. A decision will be made soon after, and you and others involved will be notified of the result.

  5. If the person you accused is found guilty, they will have a short period to appeal the decision.


Did you experience sexual violence outside of school?

  • If you experienced sexual violence outside of school, you can still get help from a counselor and/or administrator at TWHS and request accommodations.

  • If you experience harassment, bullying, or generally feel threatened at school by the person who assaulted you, and/or their friends, you can make a complaint to a staff member and they will take action to protect you.

Important to Know:

School Employees are Mandated Reporters

All Worthington school employees are considered mandated reporters. This means that if they are made aware of sexual violence, even if it happens outside of school, they are required to report the incident to Franklin County Children's Services and/or the police.

If you are under 18 years old, your parents will be notified.


School Employees Will Protect Your Privacy

The school recognizes that you might not want people knowing about your experience, so they make sure that they only tell the very small group of staff that's needed to provide you support and/or to conduct an investigation.


If You're Still Not Sure...

If you’re not ready to talk about your personal experience and have it reported to the police or children’s services, you have two options:


Option 1:

You can talk to a counselor, teacher, administrator, or other school staff, but you cannot share that your experience happened to you personally. You would explain it theoretically as if it didn’t happen to you. You might say, “If this were to happen…” or “My friend was sexually assaulted, how can they get resources?”


OR…


Option 2:

You can call the national hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673), or the local hotline: (614)-267-7020, and you won’t need to tell them your personal information. It is anonymous and confidential.