Mutual Respect Policy

Fostering a Culture of Respect and Dignity

CIC Ontario Secondary School recognizes that to achieve its vision, the environment it provides must be one which demonstrates respect, dignity, equity, and safety for all members of the Canadian Independent College community.

Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of the Mutual Respect Policy is to maintain a working and learning environment free from acts of harassment. This policy is a clear statement of the school’s commitment and determination to act promptly against any incident of harassment and to create an environment where harassment will not be tolerated.

The objectives of the Policy are to:

Demonstrate and promote the commitment of CIC Ontario Secondary School to protect the dignity and rights of its students, volunteers, and employees.
Alert and educate students, volunteers, employees, and all members of the CIC community that harassment is prohibited under the laws of the Province of Ontario.
Take immediate action and provide confidential, impartial, and effective procedures to resolve complaints in ways that respect the rights of all parties.
Provide appropriate remedies to complainants in recognition of the impact of harassment.
Identify various roles and responsibilities for the maintenance of a harassment-free environment.
Provide appropriate responses and consequences where harassment has occurred.

Discrimination

Discrimination refers to unfair or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, or disability as set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, has the effect of preventing or limiting access to opportunities, benefits, or advantages that are available to other members of society.

Harassment

Harassment is a form of discrimination and is against the law. Harassment is defined in the Human Rights Code as “engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.”

Harassment may be physical (e.g., pushing or other unwelcome contact), verbal (e.g., threats or insults), written, or visual (e.g., graffiti or display of offensive and hurtful materials) and may include use of the Internet. Harassment does not necessarily need to target a specific individual. A single act or expression can constitute harassment, for example, if it is a serious violation.

Types of behaviour which constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:

Jokes or hostile comments relating to physical characteristics, ancestry, or age.
Physical or verbal teasing.
Display or passing around of sexist, racist, or derogatory pictures, materials, or graffiti.
Intimidation, offensive remarks, belittling, and threatening behaviour.
Leering (suggestive staring), obscene, and/or offensive gestures.
Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life or sexual preferences.
Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger safety, or negatively affect others.
Hazing.
Derogatory nicknames.
Physical or sexual unwelcome contact.

Bullying

Bullying means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where:

(a) the behaviour is intended by a pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of:

Causing harm, fear, or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social, or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation, or harm to the individual’s property, or
Creating a negative environment at a school for another individual.

(b) the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability, or the receipt of special education.

This behaviour includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written, or other means. Cyberbullying includes:

Creating a web page or a blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person.
Impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted on the internet.
Communicating material electronically to more than one individual or posting material on a website that may be accessed by one or more individuals.

CIC Ontario Secondary School recognizes that bullying:

Adversely affects students’ ability to learn.
Adversely affects healthy relationships and the school climate.
Adversely affects a school’s ability to educate its students.
Will not be accepted on school property, at school-related activities, on school buses, or in any other circumstances (e.g., online) where engaging in bullying will have a negative impact on the school climate.

What Can You Do?

If you are a victim, know someone who is a victim, or see behaviour which you feel may be discrimination, harassment, or bullying:

If it is safe to do so, tell the person to stop.
Write down what happened; include names, how often it has happened, time, date, location, any witnesses, who else you have told, and if you know of anyone else who may have experienced similar conduct.
If you are a student, talk with a staff member at CIC to determine the appropriate next step.

If you are unsure if what you witnessed and/or experienced is considered discrimination, harassment, or bullying or if you are not comfortable telling the person to stop, talk with a staff member at Canadian Independent College. All reports are taken very seriously and will be handled in a timely and respectful way for everyone involved.

Canadian Independent College is committed to ensuring a respectful, dignified, and safe environment for all.

Importance of Respect

At CIC Ontario Secondary School, we are committed to maintaining a learning environment that upholds respect, dignity, and equity for all. We encourage everyone to report any incidents of discrimination, harassment, or bullying promptly. Together, we can create a safe and supportive community where every individual feels valued and respected.