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Supporting a culture of non-violence
What is harassment?
What is violence?
Dealing with harassment
Dealing with violence
Supporting a culture of non-violence
The Peel District School Board is committed to providing a healthy and
supportive environment for learning and working. We believe that students and
staff achieve their best when they feel safe, engaged, nurtured, welcomed,
respected and included.
The board has established a
Safe Schools policy that sets clear standards of behaviour for staff,
students, parents, volunteers and visitors. These standards apply to all members
of the Peel board community, whether they are on Peel board property, on school
buses, at school-authorized events or activities or in any other situation that
may have an impact on school climate.
The board encourages a culture of non-violence in all school and work locations
and
does not condone abuse, bullying, discrimination, harassment,
intimidation, hateful words and actions, alcohol, drugs and weapons and any form
of physical violence. We make every effort to respect social justice,
human rights and the
diversity,
cultural and special needs of individual students and staff.
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What is harassment?
Harassment is any incident or comment that is, or should be known to be,
offensive, demeaning, harmful or unwelcome to another person.
Harassment can take many forms, including:
| • | jokes that are embarrassing or
offensive
| | • | insults, name-calling, negative remarks
or intimidation related to gender, race, religion, colour, ancestry or
ethnic background
| | • | any form of bullying, including
spreading malicious rumours, undermining a person’s work, isolating a person
socially, deliberately setting someone up for failure
| | • | sexually suggestive gestures or
comments
| | • | unwelcome sexual flirtations or
propositions
| | • | reprisals or threats of reprisals for
rejecting sexual advances
| | • | publicly disclosing that someone is gay
or lesbian
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Harassment can happen to anyone, at any time and in any place.
Someone is harassing you if they:
| • | do things that make you feel
uncomfortable
| | • | say things that make you feel
uncomfortable
| | • | put you at risk in some way
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Harassing behaviour can poison your work or social environment, even when
comments or incidents are not directed at you. Harassment violates your right to
be free from discrimination and is considered a form of violence.
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What is violence?
Mention the word ‘violence’ and most people think of weapons and physical
attacks. But, violence, especially in the workplace, has a much broader
definition. Violence is any act in which a person is abused, threatened,
intimidated or assaulted.
Violence can take many forms, such as:
| • | threatening behaviour – shaking fists,
throwing things
| | • | harassment – any offensive, demeaning,
harmful or unwelcome behaviour, including gestures, bullying or intimidation
| | • | verbal or written threats – any
expression of intent to cause harm
| | • | verbal abuse – swearing, insults or
condescending language
| | • | physical attacks – pushing, shoving,
hitting, kicking
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Dealing with harassment
| • | In some situations, it may be
appropriate to talk to your harasser directly. Tell him or her that the
behaviour is not acceptable and ask him or her to stop. Learn more about
resolving conflict peacefully.
| | • | If you are being harassed at
work, you should report the situation to your supervisor,
principal, resource person or Human Rights Officer, as indicated in your
workplace policy. If you cannot resolve the situation through these
channels, you can file a complaint by contacting the
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
It is important to note that workplace harassment includes harassing
behaviour from:
| o | someone who is only
casually or infrequently associated with your workplace
| | o | incidents that occur on
your way to or from work, or at work-related activities outside of your
workplace, such as trade shows or conferences.
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| | • | If you are being harassed at
home or in other non-work situations, you can register a complaint
and access legal and other support services by contacting the Human Rights
Tribunal of Ontario. You can also contact local social service agencies or
other community-based resources for help and support.
| | • | Keep a record of any incidents of
harassment, noting the time, date and as much detail as possible. Harassment
is determined not only by the type of behaviour but also by the number and
frequency of incidents.
| | • | Keep copies of any letters, e-mail or
other correspondence received from your harasser.
| | • | Do not retaliate
against someone who is harassing you.
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Dealing with violence
| • | If you are concerned about
workplace violence, contact your supervisor, principal, resource
person or union representative, as indicated in your workplace policy. In
some situations, it may also be appropriate to notify the police.
| | • | If you are concerned about
violence at home or in other non-work situations, it is important
to tell someone and to get help. Contact a local social service agency or
other community- or faith-based resources for support. If you are concerned
about your safety, notify the police. In cases of extreme violence, call
9-1-1.
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Contact EAP for support
If you need help coping with harassment or violence at home or at work, contact
the Peel board’s Employment Assistance
Program (EAP). EAP provides information and support and can help you access
a variety of community, social service and government resources. EAP services
are free and available 12 months of the year for Peel board staff and their
immediate family members.
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