Harassment Policy

Intent

It is the policy of The Lambton Kent District School Board that all employees, students and individuals should be treated with dignity within a climate of understanding and mutual respect, free from discrimination, and any form of harassment.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is verbal or physical behaviour by one or more people who appear to be stronger in some way than their victim. Bullying makes victims feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, unsafe, and can interfere with the victims? success at school.

Bullying includes:

Threatening to hurt someone who doesn?t do what the bully says; spreading rumours; leaving someone out or looking down on someone; blocking someone?s way; stealing or extorting someone?s lunch or other property, or calling someone names.

What is Racial/Ethno-Cultural Harassment?

This type of harassment is based on prejudice against skin colour, race, place of origin, or faith. It is meant to hurt others who are not the same. It includes: Name calling- jokes, comments, and graffiti that put people down because of who they are, and Hate Literature - distribution or display of symbols of racial or ethno-cultural hatred. What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is inappropriate, unwanted, uninvited remarks, gestures, sounds, or actions of a sexual nature that makes a person feel unsafe, degraded or uncomfortable. Sexual harassment creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive school environment.

Sexual Harassment includes:

  • Unwelcome physical contact like touching, grabbing or patting;
  • Rude jokes or suggestive remarks of a sexual nature;
  • Demeaning nicknames like chick, sexy, stud, or babe;
  • Cat calls, rating (?she?s a 10) or whistles;
  • Insulting remarks about sexual orientation;
  • Bragging about sexual experience;
  • Harassing graffiti (For a good time, call ______); or
  • Stalking

IF YOU HAVE BEEN HARASSED

ASK FOR HELP

Contact someone you trust such as a teacher, a counselor, a parent, the vice-principal or principal. Your contact person can offer you support and solutions. Solutions could include the following:

  • Your contact person could communicate directly with the harasser and explain that their behaviour is unwelcome and must stop. You do not have to be present during this discussion.
  • You may speak to the person who is bothering you. Tell the person calmly but firmly that the behaviour is offensive and must stop. You can choose to warn the person that if the behaviour persists, you will make a formal complaint. You can speak to the person alone or with another person present, keeping your personal safety in mind. Record the time and details of the harassment to use if you must make a formal complaint later.
  • If you are not comfortable speaking face to face with the person who is bothering you, write a note or letter to the person. In it, list the details of the complaint. Include the date and time of the incident(s) in question. You can choose to warn the person that if the behaviour persists, you will make a formal complaint. Keep a copy of the note and write down the date and time when you gave the note to the offender.
  • If the harassment continues, or if you are not satisfied with the assistance you have received, you may make a formal complaint.

GETTING HELP

No one should be harassed. If you have been harassed, there are several ways you can get help.

  • Don't wait. Talk to a teacher, a counselor, your vice-principal, principal, or another student whom you trust. Friends may have had similar experiences. They may also know some effective ways to help.
  • Bring a friend. If it will help you when you meet with the principal or teacher, bring a friend.
  • Do not feel guilty. Harassment is not your fault. Remember you have the right to learn in a school environment that is free of harassment.

All complaints of harassment will be handled with as much confidentiality as possible under existing laws Health, safety, and dignity are universal rights!

Violence-Free School

It is the policy of the Lambton Kent District School Board to create and support a school environment in which all members of the school community are allowed to develop and work in an atmosphere in which respect for individual rights and property is promoted and maintained. There is zero tolerance for violence at Lambton-Kent Composite School. All students are encouraged to learn to handle conflict and anger in non-violent ways. Through the support and co-operation of students, parents, and staff, students are better able to prepare for responsible citizenship. A breach of this Board and school policy, which promotes zero tolerance, carries penalties of up to 20 days of suspension from school, expulsion and/or police intervention.