FSV acknowledges the valuable contribution made by our instructors, students and wider community and we encourage their active participation in providing a safe, fair and inclusive environment for all participants.

 

FSV is committed to providing an environment in which people are treated fairly and equitably and that is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying.

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Definitions of discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct

 

Unlawful discrimination involves the less favourable treatment of a person on the basis of one or more of the personal characteristics protected by State or Federal anti-discrimination laws.

 

Discrimination includes both direct and indirect discrimination:

• direct discrimination occurs if a person treats, or proposes to treat, a person with a protected personal characteristic unfavourably because of that personal characteristic.

• indirect discrimination occurs if a person imposes, or proposes to impose, a requirement, condition or practice that will disadvantage a person with a protected personal characteristic and that requirement, condition or practice is not reasonable.

 

For the purpose of determining discrimination, the offender’s awareness and motive are irrelevant.

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Bullying is characterised by repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a person, or group of persons, that creates a risk to health and safety.  Bullying behaviour is that which a reasonable person in the circumstances would expect to victimise, humiliate, undermine, threaten, degrade, offend or intimidate a person.  Bullying behaviour can include actions of an individual or group.

 

The following types of behaviour, where repeated or occurring as part of a pattern of behaviour, would be considered bullying:

• verbal abuse including shouting, swearing, teasing, making belittling remarks or persistent unjustified criticism;

• excluding or isolating a group or person;

• spreading malicious rumours; or

• psychological harassment such as intimidation.

 

Harassment is any unwelcome conduct, verbal or physical, that intimidates, offends or humiliates another person. Sexual harassment is defined as being where a person is subjected to unwanted or uninvited sexual behaviour, or in which sexual behaviour is used to intimidate, humiliate or offend. Sexual misconduct, including but not limited to sexual harassment, will also not be tolerated.

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The behaviours above do not have to take place a number of times, a single incident can constitute discrimination, bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct. Similarly, instances of discrimination, bullying and harassment may occur online or in person.

 

All instances of discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct involving members of the FSV community are covered by these regulations, regardless of if the incident(s) took place at an FSV event, online or elsewhere.

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Discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct will not be tolerated at FSV, and may result in membership cancellation. 

 

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Reporting of discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct

 

If any person believes they are being, or have been, discriminated against, bullied, harassed or sexually harassed by another person or organisation bound by these regulations, he or she may make a complaint informally to an instructor or committee member, or formally using the complaint report form.

 

Members and students of FSV who are aware or possible discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, must immediately report such misconduct.

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FSV will treat all allegations of discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct seriously and with a high degree of sensitivity.

 

All allegations involving any FSV student, member or event will be promptly investigated by the committee and, if necessary, may be forwarded to Victoria Police.

 

Members of the committee must deal expeditiously and fairly with allegations of discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct within FSV whether or not there has been a written or formal complaint. They must:

• take all complaints or concerns of alleged or discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct seriously no matter how minor or who is involved;

• ensure that instances of discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct are immediately reported so that a prompt investigation may occur; and

• take any appropriate action to prevent retaliation or prohibited conduct from recurring during and after any investigations or complaints.

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Possible sanctions that may be taken include:

• a direction that the individual make verbal and/or written apology;

• counselling of the individual to address behaviour;

• withdrawal of any awards, placings, records, achievements bestowed in any tournaments, activities or events held or sanctioned by FSV;

• suspension or termination of membership, participation or engagement in a role or activity;

• temporary or permanent cancellation of membership; or

• any other form of discipline that our club considers reasonable and appropriate.

 

Members and students of FSV (including the committee) who knowingly allow or tolerate discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, including the failure to immediately report such misconduct, are in violation of these regulations and may also be subject to disciplinary sanctions.

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Allegations of serious misconduct will be handled by the committee, following the procedure outlined in the FSV Member Regulations.

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This policy is a component of the FSV Member Regulations, agreed to by all FSV financial members. A copy of the complete FSV Member Regulations can be found at www.fechtschulevictoria.org.au/regs.

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