Harassment Policy

Introduction

Marymount College is a place of belonging where each person has the right to feel safe and comfortable at all times and the responsibility to make it happen, and so, we seek to live justly, building a community of compassion and reconciliation through the love that Jesus taught us.

What is Harassment?

Harassment is any repeated action which threatens, hurts, frightens, embarrasses or humiliates a person. Some examples are:

fighting, pushing, shoving, gestures

picking on others

threats to get people

name calling, put downs

offensive language, notes or graffiti about others

repeatedly teasing, making fun of others

spreading stories about someone or their family

intimidating anyone or their family by nuisance actions eg. telephone calls.

Other Forms of Harassment

Racist

calling a person names or saying unpleasant comments because of their culture, background or language

telling jokes or showing offensive material that is degrading to a person of a different racial background

deliberately excluding others because of their race.

Sexual

touching or brushing against someone when you’ve been asked to stop

unwelcome staring, whistling, gesturing or making comments about someone’s body, looks or clothes

writing and/or distributing rude/unpleasant notes about someone

telling jokes or showing reading material/ pictures that are offensive

making comments about someone’s sexuality.

Cyber Bullying

Using any communication or online device to send or post harmful or cruel text, images and /or video.

This includes but may not be limited to:

Online: websites, blogs, social networking posts, guest books, porn posts,

profiles, directories, e-mail, SPAM

Devices: mobile/smart phones, text messaging devices, Laptops, iPad.

Cyber Bullying may not be limited to events occurring externally or from a public location. In situations where conflict enters the school, formal communication between students and parents will take place.

Harassment can occur:

  • between students
  • from a student to a staff member
  • from a staff member to a student
  • between staff members
  • from a parent to a staff member.

Why You Should Report Any Forms of Harassment

You have the right to be treated as a worthwhile and important person.

You have the right to come to school feeling happy, secure and comfortable.

Students who harass others prevent them from achieving their best.

Marymount College is a school where all have equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities.

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