HARASSMENT POLICY

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Harassment Policy

At Eastside Lutheran College we take harassment seriously. This policy applies to all members of the school community, including teachers, students, sports coaches, instructors, work experience supervisors, parents, ancillary staff, voluntary workers and student teachers.

STOPPING HARASSMENT IS IMPORTANT

Stopping harassment affects a person's well-being, self-confidence, work and relationships with others. It is totally against the school's ethos and may also be against the law. We believe that all members of the college community have an equal right to:
1. be treated fairly by fellow students and staff (and therefore show respect for each other).
2. feel safe, secure (and therefore we treat each other with kindness and courtesy).
3. learn and grow towards their full potential (and therefore we will support and encourage each other in our work).
4. feel valued, accepted and cared for as unique individuals (and therefore we will listen to each other, encouraging self-expression, and we will accept each other as we are).
5. have their own property (and therefore we will respect the property of others).

KINDS OF HARASSMENT
Harassment of any kind is unwanted and unwelcome. If a particular behaviour embarrasses, upsets or hurts another person, then it can be classified as harassment. Harassment can include bullying, racism and sex-based harassment.

BULLYING INCLUDES
Physical bullying, e.g. pushing, hitting, spitting, damaging the property of others.
- Verbal bullying eg. repeated 'put downs', calling names, ridiculing, threatening.
- Gesture bullying eg. make rude or threatening signs.
- Extortion bullying eg. demanding money, food or other belongings.
- Exclusion bullying eg. hurting friends by ignoring or isolating them, or by spreading rumours about them.

RACIAL HARASSMENT INCLUDES
- deliberate or repeated racist comments, gestures, or any other conduct which hurts people, based on their nationality, country of origin, colour of skin, ancestry or any related beliefs or behaviours.

SEX-BASED HARASSMENT INCLUDES
- Sexist Harassment - behaviour which insists that gender stereotypes be maintained and exercised in the school or workplace.
- Sexual Harassment - sexual behaviour which is deliberate, uninvited, unwelcome and usually repeated and which is perceived by the recipient to be embarrassing, offensive, demeaning or compromising.
- Sexual Assault - a term which covers a number of criminal offences, such as indecent assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual intercourse with a young person under seventeen years of age and rape.

YOU CAN ACT AGAINST HARASSMENT
If you are guilty of harassment, stop now; seek help from the Harassment Officer or your parents. If you witness harassment you can do something about it and thereby protect others.
* Change your friendship group if it becomes involved in bullying or hurting others.
* Report harassment, so that both the bullies and victims can receive help.
If you are being harassed, you can take action.


READ ON

The aim of the following procedure is to stop harassment by helping you to resolve the situation with the harasser. It is best if the harassment can be stopped by working it out through discussion, repentance, forgiveness and acceptance to restore positive relations.

Options

ACT ALONE - SHARE THE PROBLEM
You may choose to do nothing, but the harassment could continue.
You can discuss the situation with a friend, teacher, principal or anyone with whom you feel comfortable.
Approach the person who is harassing you and request that the offending behaviour stop.
Discuss the situation with a Chaplain.
Refer the situation to any Harassment Officer.

WHAT NEXT?
- You may simply wish to discuss the situation with a Harassment Officer.
- If you wish, they will help you consider appropriate action.
- You may approach the person who is harassing you with one of these people.

OR

- They will approach the harasser on your behalf.
- It may be useful to keep a written record of the incidents that occur and give a copy to the contact person. This will help you both clarify the issue and explain to the harasser that his/her behaviour is unacceptable.

REMEMBER

* Confidentiality will be respected at all times unless it is a question of mandated notification.
* You may stop or start at any point in the grievance procedure. In all cases the person dealing with the complaint will not take any action without your permission.
* Students may involve parents at any stage.

Solving the problem at school level is often easier and more efficient. However, if you do not wish to discuss the situation within the school you may also speak to the School Pastor or have the matter referred to the School Board.