Otago Polytechnic is committed to providing a safe working and learning environment in which all staff and students are treated with respect and dignity.

Harassment is conduct which is unwelcome or offensive to the recipient in relation to their race, colour, ethnic or national origins, gender, gender identity, age, disability, physical appearance, marital or family status, religion, ethical belief, union participation/non/participation, political opinion or sexual orientation.

Bullying is unwelcome and unreasonable behaviour which includes victimisation, humiliation, undermining or threatening behaviours and may involve the actions of an individual or a group. It creates an uncomfortable or hostile environment for those who are a target of the bullying.

Harassment and Bullying can be:

• One serious incident

• Or behaviour that is persistently unwelcome and offensive, to the extent that it has a detrimental effect on learning, performance or wellbeing.

Examples of harassment and bullying:

• Displaying sexual or sexist material

• Calling you a nickname you don’t like

• Belittling your religious or cultural beliefs

• Looking at you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable

• Invading your personal space

• Making racist or sexist jokes or comments

• Mimicking your accent, stutter or mannerism

• Spreading rumours

• Playing ill-natured practical joke

• Swearing at you or using abusive language

• Excluding, isolating or ignoring you

• Cyber bullying; including inappropriate comments, pictures and videos on Facebook, twitter and other social media pages.

Who harasses or bullies?

Harassment or bullying may occur in the behaviour of one or more staff members, students or any other person with whom you come in contact as part of your course of study.

Bullying in any form is unacceptable. 

The common element of cyber bullying is the use of technology like the internet and cell phones to harass a victim.

The Cyber bullying Research Center defines it as, “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cellphones, and other electronic devices.”

Cyber bullying could be:

• Name-calling via social media

• Threatening text messages

• Unauthorized posting of personal pictures or videos

In cyberbullying the bully is protected by the anonymity of the Internet and the effects on the victim are magnified because more peers can see the bullying, and it's difficult if not impossible to erase its record. If you are a victim of cyber bullying there are some strategies you can use to help you stay strong.

How can I protect myself?

Taking some smart precautions can help you avoid cyberbullying.

Otago Polytechnic wishes to provide a learning environment in which harassment and bullying is unlikely to occur. This means that you must not act in ways inconsistent with our harassment and bullying prevention policy.

THINK About it

While you can never predict exactly what kind of behaviour will offend someone, you can be sensible. Think about the people you work and study with. What sort of jokes, comments and behaviour do you think they find acceptable? Do you treat others in the way you wish yourself or your friends to be treated?

TALK About Harassment and Bullying

The ideal way for harassment issues to be resolved is for people to talk about them. If you are approached by a fellow student about your behaviour:

Listen to what he or she has to say. Respect that person’s right not to be offended and change your behaviour. If you didn’t mean to offend, you can apologise and not repeat the behaviour. Although it may be embarrassing for someone to say your actions are offensive, it is important to be able to talk about harassment and bullying.

Remember

Some people who feel harassed or bullied in the Polytechnic may not have the confidence to approach the person who is disrespecting them, and may seek intervention. If you are approached by a staff member on another person’s behalf, view it as an opportunity for discussion. Most complainants do not want to get the person concerning them in trouble, they simply want the offensive behaviour to stop.

Don’t stand by

If you see another student being harassed or bullied don’t stand by. Talk to the person about how he or she feels and/or tell a staff member. The person may be uncomfortable about seeking assistance, but they are likely to welcome your support.

Otago Polytechnic treats harassment and bullying issues very seriously. Treat others with respect at all times. You have a right to study in a respectful and safe environment.