Anti Bullying Harassment Information

Cypress Avenue
Lower Templestowe 3107. Victoria.
Tel. (03) 9850 6333
Fax (03) 9852 0728

Principal:
Mr. David Tyson

Overseas Student Provider Code: 00861K

A Victorian State Secondary College.

TEMPLESTOWE COLLEGE IS A SCHOOL WHERE ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF HAVE RIGHTS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The College has adopted strategies which support the right of all people to work and study in an environment, which is free from harassment.
• The College recognises that all persons have a legal right to protection from harassment under the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act and the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act.
• This website outlines clearly what is meant by harassment.
• Students who continue to offend will be disciplined accordingly.

What is Harassment?

Harassment is any behaviour, verbal, written or physical, which is:

• Unwelcome
• Degrading, intrusive, violent, abusive
• Sexual in nature
• Offensive to a person
• Racist

Bullying and harassment may include:

• Unwelcome physical contact
• Unwelcome questions about a person’s private life
• Comments about a person’s sexuality
• Sexual Jokes
• Wolf Whistles, cat calls or unwelcome noises
• Graffiti about people
• Offensive pictures and written materials
• Suggestive or offensive comments about a person’s appearance or lifestyle
• Intimidation
• Teasing
• Isolation
• Unwelcome comments about a person’s family, culture, religion or nationality.

What are some of the effects of harassment?

• Poor health
• Wagging classes
• Feeling threatened
• Lack of sleep
• Poor school performance
• Low self esteem
• Poor concentration in class

Some common reactions – sound familiar???

“Can’t you take a joke?”
This is the most common response to harassment. It is not a joke. To put someone down, ridicule them or make them feel uncomfortable is not a joke.
This is harassment.

“I’ll ignore it and it will go away”.
If anything, ignoring it will make things worse – you will give the impression that it’s okay with you that you agree with the situation.

“I don’t want to cause trouble. Maybe the other person will cause trouble for me – at school or home”.
Most cases of harassment are actually sorted out very simply! Protection against any unfair treatment is part of the harassment awareness information. In addition, victimising people who complain about harassment is against the law.

“It will get worse if I tell”.
It is not acceptable to behave in a way, which is offensive or demeaning of another human being, whatever their appearance, dress or gender.

In addition, some people believe that charges of harassment are made to “get at” people with whom they are angry.

In fact, research shows that people are often afraid about complaining and that most harassment is never reported for fear of the consequences – being disbelieved, ridiculed, branded a trouble maker, or “dobber”, or of being punished. It’s okay to tell so that the cycle of silence about bullying can be broken.

Remember before teachers take action they will discuss with you the way that you would like the problem to be solved.
“I’m imaging things”
Often our hunches are correct. Rather than put up with nagging doubts, talk to someone about your feelings. Harassment can make people feel:

• Embarrassed or ashamed
• Offended or humiliated
• Intimidated or frightened
• Uncomfortable

“That’s just the way things are – you can’t change them”

• Attitudes and behaviours in our society are changing!
• People have never enjoyed being treated in a way that offends them.
• The Anti Bulling and Harassment information is part of the changes in our College and society, and is there to help us to change the way in which we relate to fellow human beings.
• Change is possible and it is happening!

“The people probably didn’t mean it …….
I don’t want to cause them problems”

Some people often put other’s needs before themselves. Behaviours are ingrained and in many cases harassment is unintentional – however, if it is supposed to be a joke or seems trivial – you need not put up with it. Sorting out a problem with another person actually often eases tensions for all concerned.

What to do if you feel that you are being harassed
It’s best to tell the person that their behaviour offends you – the person may not realise that their behaviour is causing distress, or

You could say any of the following:

• Please stop
• Stop saying (doing) that – I don’t like it
• You are not impressing your friends by saying that to me, or

You may wish to talk with someone about it or get some help to deal with the situation. The College has a number of people who are able to help you. They can lead a listening ear and offer information and advice.

If you would like further practical help, contact any of the people listed below, or any member of staff you feel comfortable talking to:

• Any member of staff
• Year Level Coordinator
• Student Welfare Coordinator
• College Captains/Peer Support Leaders
• College Chaplain
• Assistant Principals
• Principal

Is your behaviour likely to cause offence?
Harassment is sometimes unintended. If you are not sure about your behaviour you can:

• Check it out by asking if it is offensive or inappropriate
• Stop it
• Apologise
• Take it serious if someone say they are feeling uncomfortable
• Talk it over with a teacher or someone who has an understanding of the issues