Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the College commitment and strategy toward the prevention of bullying and harassment, and to articulate the rights and responsibilities of all parties associated with the college toward the prevention and minimisation of harm from bullying.
Applicability
This policy applies to students who are enrolled the Horizons College of Learning and Enrichment, and their parents/guardians. In addition, it applies to college employees contracted on a temporary, casual, fixed term, or continuing basis. The requirements of this policy apply at all times and for all young people who are present within the College. For staff, it applies at all times whilst a contract of employment with Horizons College of Learning and Enrichment exists. Employees should note that the policy also applies while escorting students on camps, excursions, and tours.
- Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) 2001 (QLD)
- Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Regulation 2001 (QLD)
- Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD)
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
- Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (QLD)
- Being hit, pushed, kicked or spat at
- Rude gestures
- Having personal items damaged or stolen
- Being teased or called names
- Being ignored or left out
- Being sent nasty emails or receiving nasty phone calls and text messages
Bullying is considered to include any repeated behaviour that makes another person feel uncomfortable. Apart from general forms of bullying some specific types include:
- Homophobic bullying: associated with perceived or actual sexual orientation.
- Ability based bullying: associated with perceived or actual disability.
- Social Bullying: associated with skin colour, culture and religion.
- Cyber bullying: bullying through technology such as social media, mobile phones (texts, calls) and other online sources (chat rooms, emails).
Violence is unjust or unwarranted use of force and power. It can be internal to the workplace, or external, such as from a client or visitor. It can also occur within the workplace to an outsider. Violence includes acts of verbal, physical and psychological intimidation. The experience of violence is subjective. Violent Behaviour can take place between:
- A worker and a manager or supervisor
- Co-workers
- A worker and another person visiting the workplace e.g. parents, delivery person.
Types of Violence at Work:
- Occupational Violence: Acts of verbal, physical and psychological intimidation which can be acute or chronic exposure. Outcomes can be dependant on the individual
- Dissatisfaction with a service: one of the most readily recognized and widely researched categories of occupational violence.
- Disturbed people: Violence by disturbed people includes violence committed by those with a mental or intellectual impairment. This may include violence by people affected by drugs or alcohol or under the influence of mind-altering substances.
- Violence motivated by gain: Acts of violence committed to improve the offender’s material situation.
- Opportunistic violence: Acts committed for the sake of violence; no motivation is necessary or apparent.
- Indirect Violence: Refers to a person witnessing an act of violence. May affect people remote from the scene.
All students enrolled at Horizon’s College of Learning and Enrichment have the right to access high quality education without fear of being bullied. Through fostering a environment, the positive and supportive culture at Horizon’s College of Learning and Enrichment will ensure an atmosphere that is not conducive to bullying, but instead encourages each individual to challenge bullying and harassment through positive modelling.
At Horizons College we will:
- Openly acknowledge each individual’s right to work and learn in an environment that is free from bullying or harassment
- Openly talk about bullying, what it is, how it affects individuals and what we can do about it as individuals and as a college community
- Assist students to empower themselves against being perceived as a potential victim
- Ensure that students are not vilified for discussing bullying, including being labelled as a ‘dobber’, ‘grass’ or similar
- Openly acknowledge each individual’s responsibility to ensure there is an environment free from harassment and bullying
- Ensure that all students are aware of bullying and what steps to take if they experience or witness bullying
- Ensure bullying incidents are dealt with quickly and effectively.
