Sexual Harrassment

In the event of sexual harassment, the complainant may approach the following personnel:

• The Principal

• The Presiding Member of the School Board

• The EEO support person

• An NZEI staff liaison office

• The school Chaplain

• Director of Education of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

• New Zealand School Trustees Association Representative

1. The case should be documented by the complainant with the assistance of the supporting person from the aforementioned list and filed by the EEO Support Person

2. The person responsible for the alleged harassment will be approached for a confrontation meeting by the selected support person and the complainant and will be informed of the complaint, advised that the behaviour is unacceptable and must stop immediately.  Assurances will be sought that the behaviours will stop and that an apology will be required

3. A review date will be negotiated at the time of the confrontation meeting for an assessment of the assured changes in behaviour

4. The outcome of the review meeting will be filed by the EEO Support Person

5. If during the confrontation meetings it is decided that further action is to be sought, the harasser will be informed and the decision made to process the complaint through at least one of the following avenues

   • The Principal and/or the School Board (award2.2.3) if the allegations are serious

   • Through an industrial advocate of Personal Grievance, or an NZEI Field Officer (award 9.1; 9.3)

   • Human Right Commissioner

   • The SDA Professional Complaints Committee/AdSafe

6. All documents and discussions remain confidential to those involved

7. Every incident is to be treated individually

8. If the matter is inappropriate to refer to the Principal, the complaint may be referred directly to the Board of Trustees

The Southland Adventist Christian School is committed to providing a safe environment, being a good employer and upholding Biblical principles of respecting others

The designated personnel will proceed as follows:

• Complaints will be dealt with speedily, confidentially and fairly

• Complainants will not be victimised because they make a complaint

• It is up to the complainant to choose which process is more applicable to them.  Refer “Preventing Sexual Harassment in Schools”: pages 31-39

• If the formal procedure is chosen guidelines on pages 61-83 give details

Some types of behaviours that may constitute sexual harassment are:

• Sexually suggestive remarks or teasing about a person’s gender, sexuality, alleged sexual activities, or personal life

• Telling dirty jokes which embarrass or offend

• A teacher making sexual approaches to a student (NOTE – a teacher has a professional obligation not to accept a sexual approach from a student.  Clearly, if the student is under 16, it is a criminal offence) In any event, there is a relationship of trust between the teacher and student for which the teacher is responsible for maintaining.

• A staff member sexualising his or her interactions with students by making reference to sex orientated physical appearance, sexuality or relationships.

• Staff or students entering rooms unnecessarily where students are showering or changing, for example on school trips, after physical education.

• Referring to students or teachers using sexual names for example: poofter, wanker, tart, leso, bitch, slut, fag, or queer

• Unwanted physical contact such as patting, rubbing, pinching, touching

• The misuse of sexually violent material by teachers or students

• Displaying posters, pictures or graffiti of a sexual nature which could reasonably be expected to offend

• Requests for sexual contact including intercourse, with either implied or overt promises for preferential treatment or threats of detrimental treatment, for example exam marks or educational opportunities

• Sexual assault, rape, sexual violation

• Leering, wolf whistles, cat calls, obscene gestures or muttering

• Kissing or hugging someone against their will

• Persistent and unwelcome social invitations or telephone calls at either school, work or home

These types of behaviours may be sexual harassment if they are repeated or sufficiently serious as to be detrimental. 

Sexual harassment is not:

• Occasional compliments or behaviour based on mutual attraction

• Friendships, sexual or otherwise, between equals where both people consent to or enjoy the relationship