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Holy Trinity Metropolitan Community Church
Policy Statement
Anti-Harassment Policy
Harassment is defined as an incident or series of disrespectful comments or displays that demean, belittle, humiliate, embarrass, degrade or attempt to exclude; that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome and/or offensive; or that is aimed at a certain individual or group. Harassment is prohibited on both personal and human rights grounds.
Human rights grounds include: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion or creed, age, gender, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, ancestry or citizenship.
Personal grounds include: accent, physical characteristics, clothing, habits, customs, beliefs, opinions or mannerisms, financial status.
Harassing behavior may include, but is not limited to: persistent name calling, unwelcome remarks, innuendoes, jokes, slurs, taunting, and displays of offensive materials. It also includes sexual harassment, which may include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
However, MCC Edinburgh affirms that harassment does not include honest, respectfully-expressed disagreement with beliefs of others or statements made by others.
MCC Edinburgh has a policy of inclusion and welcome, respecting the dignity of all people and therefore discrimination and/or harassment, whether on personal or human rights grounds, will not be tolerated. MCC Edinburgh will not knowingly permit harassment, and will take reasonable steps to stop harassment and discrimination should it occur.
The management Committee of MCC Edinburgh therefore affirms that:
- harassment of any kind is unacceptable;
- all applicable human rights codes will be respected;
- attenders have the right to a harassment-free environment;
- attenders must ensure that they do not engage in harassing behavior;
- it is the right of anyone who feels harassed to make a complaint;
- victims will not be blamed;
- the staff and committee will intervene and take all reasonable steps to resolve situations where concerns regarding harassment arise, and will attempt to resolve concerns so that unwanted behavior stops;
- all parties will be treated with fairness and respect;
Adopted 26th April 2006
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