Bullying & Harassment
Bullying & Harassment
The institute recognises the problems cause by personal harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, sexual harassment in the learning environment. The institute is committed to a working and learning environment that is free from harassment of any kind. Incidents of harassment are regarded by the institute as being very serious and may lead to disciplinary action being taken against the perpetrator.
Harassment may take the following forms:
Personal harassment
Any behaviour or conduct, which is unwelcome to the recipient and which creates a hostile, frightening or intimidating environment. Behaviour which shows lack of respect (e.g. name calling, offensive remarks, unwarranted criticism), and with which people feel uncomfortable can constitute harassment.
Bullying
Unwanted actions or treatment which can humiliate or threaten an individual.
Cyber bullying
Cyber bullying refers to the process of using the Internet, cell phones or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.
Sexual Harassment
Unwanted conduct which could be reasonably regarded as sexually, or otherwise on gender grounds, offensive to the recipient. It can take many forms such as leering, ridicule, embarrassing remarks or jokes, unwelcome comments about dress or appearance, deliberate abuse, offensive use of pornographic materials, threats of or actual unwanted physical contact.
Racial Harassment
Unwanted conduct on the grounds of race/ethnic origin which could be reasonably regarded as offensive to the recipient and which might threaten a person’s security or create a stressful, hostile or intimidating work/study environment.
If you feel you re being subjected to any form of harassment/bullying do not feel that it is your fault or that you have to tolerate it. It is the institute’s concern that you should receive support and assistance, and an appropriate resolution.
The following guidelines may be useful if you feel you are being harassed:
- Tell the harasser that their behaviour is not welcome and ask them to stop; if you feel uncomfortable doing this alone, seek the help of a friend or harassment advisor who will assist you in this regard.
- Keep a record of individual incidents as they occur.
- Report the matter as soon as possible to one of the harassment advisors on the contact list below who may advise you on a course of action or take the matter up on your behalf. All discussions will be confidential and further action involving you will not be taken without your consent.
- Most complaints are successfully dealt with through an informal/mediation process. This involves a Head of Department/member of academic staff and a counsellor sitting with all parties to resolve the issue.
- If the informal or mediation process is not successful make a formal complaint, which will lead to initiation of the appropriate disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Students Complaint Procedures document.
Sources of Internal Assistance
- Student Services Manager - 8139
- Institute Chaplain - 8065
- Institute Counsellor(s) - 8064/8070
- Students Union - 8067
- Registrar - 8105/8106
- Head of School/Department - School of Business - 8290
- Head of School/Department - School of Engineering - 8150
- Head of School/Department - School of Humanities - 1802
- Head of School/Department - School of Science - 2587