5.6.4 Harassment, Bullying, and Abuse Prevention Policy

POLICY TYPE: 5.0 Educational Program Policies \ 5.6 Safety
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2019-03-21	LAST REVISED: 2023-11-08
THIS POLICY APPLIES TO: Contractors – Individuals engaged to provide services under a contract with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Support Providers – Individuals engaged under a contract or agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation to provide services for a specific learner Families – Learners and parents(s)/guardian(s) of learners participating in SelfDesign Learning Foundation’s programs Volunteers – Individuals providing goods/services under the terms of an agreement with SelfDesign Learning Foundation Board Members – Members of the Board of Directors for SelfDesign Learning Foundation and the Foundation for SelfDesign (FSD)

Policy Statement

SelfDesign Learning Foundation (SDLF) is committed to maintaining a creative and caring learning environment that supports diversity and respects individual rights and safety, being concerned with the impact of harassing or abusive behaviour, regardless of the intent. SDLF is therefore committed to ensuring that all community members have an avenue to deal with a grievance or situation that they wish to have resolved.

Definitions

Abuse – cruel and violent treatment.

Bullying – unwanted, aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.

Harassment – aggressive pressure or intimidation.

Policy

SelfDesign Learning Foundation will not tolerate any form the physical, emotional, and/or psychological abuse, bullying, and/or harassment of any member of the SelfDesign Learning Community, in person or online, on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, economic status, genetic characteristics, disability, diverse ability or any other characteristic protected by law. SDLF will take the reporting of such behaviours seriously, managing such reporting by utilizing prescribed procedures for the timely and non-discriminatory resolution of such.

Protocol

Prevention

Of concern is the impact of abusive, bullying, and/or harassing behaviour, regardless of intent. Abusive, bullying, and/or harassing behaviours will not be excused because someone ‘didn’t mean it’.

Behavioural Expectations

It is expected that we will all treat others with dignity and respect. Each individual has the right to work and learn in an environment free of discrimination. Therefore, SDLF expects that all relationships among persons under the SelfDesign Learning Foundation umbrella will be kind and free from explicit bias, prejudice, and discrimination, against any person on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Examples of abusive, bullying, and/or harassing behaviour include:

Unwanted and/or unwelcome physical or electronic contact.

Linking skills with gender or sexual orientation.

Demeaning nicknames and name calling.

Cat calls or embarrassing whistles.

Insulting remarks and jokes about race, gender, class, ability, physical abilities, etc.

Intentional misgendering or deadnaming.

Intimidating, threatening, or violent behavior.

Bullying behavior that has a negative impact, regardless of intent.

Cyberbullying.

Belittling artwork.

Sexually suggestive artwork.

Reporting

Report abuse, bullying, and/or harassment to the appropriate person:

Reporter	Report to
Learners and parent(s)/guardian(s)	Educator (LC/LS) or the school vice principal (or principal)
Contractors, educators, and volunteers	School vice principal (or principal)

If the report is second-hand, based on observation, rumours, or comments, the person receiving the report will contact those involved in the alleged abuse, bullying, and/or harassment, including mentor(s) and parent(s)/guardian(s) to determine if a response is required.

Reports such as sexual abuse or child abuse, physical attack, or electronic harassment will be immediately reported to the vice principal or principal to determine if the situation requires reporting to the local police or the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Resolution Process

Informal Meeting

An informal meeting of the parties involved will be held as soon as possible after the report is made, ideally within 24 hours.

Further Mediation

If the issue is not resolved through informal meeting, the vice principal and principal will:
- Fact Find – talking with the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and/or reading any documentation to glean the basic facts of the report without interpretation or evaluation.
Next, the vice principal and principal will review the situation and reports gleaned from fact finding with those involved and their educator(s) or support person to decide on how best to deal with the situation.
- Factors such as age, maturity level, and special needs of all parties will be taken into account.

Outcomes may include:

Restorative actions such as impact statements, restorative conversations either synchronous or asynchronous, letters of apology, etc.
Discovery conversations, trial enrolment agreements, possible withdrawal or contract cancellation.

If for any reason it is decided by the vice principal and principal that it is inappropriate for them to mediate, the parties may seek mediation from the SDLF through an investigative discussion or a mediator from outside SelfDesign Learning Community will be hired.

Protection from Retaliation

During the resolution process, it is required that the vice principal and principal, or mediator, consider and implement guidelines for those involved to protect and prevent the complainant from retaliation.

If retaliation does occur, it may result in dismissal or withdrawal from the educational program and learning community.

Documentation

All reports of abuse, bullying, and/or harassment that proceed to a hearing will be recorded and filed in the individual(s) files, along with informal meetings and further mediation minutes.