Harassment Policy
The ARU believes every union and club should be committed to providing a work and sport environment free fromharassment, and one in which harassment is not tolerated. Any harassment of a member of the Rugby Unioncommunity, by another member or an external source, is not acceptable and the ARU encourages the reporting of all incidents, of such harassment, to the appropriate authorities immediately.
Harassment, What Is It?
Harassment consists of offensive, abusive, belittling or threatening behaviour directed at a person or group usually because they are different or perceived to be different by the harasser. The difference may be gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, power (relative to the harasser) or some other feature. It is behaviour which is unwelcome and which would be reasonably
expected to cause distress to the person or group it is directed towards.
Harassment is an abuse of power particularly relevant in the coach/player relationship. Coaches have considerable personal power over a player. As all forms of harassment have, at their centre, the exploitation of a power differential,
the coach/player relationship can be a cause for concern.
Legally, an act of harassment is prohibited by anti-discrimination laws of each State and Territory, as well as Commonwealth legislation which includes:
- Racial Discrimination Act 1975
- Sex Discrimination Act 1984
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
PREVALENT FORMS OF HARASSMENT
Sexual Harassment
Behaviour that has a sexual element which is unwelcome, and that can be reasonably expected, in the circumstances in which it occurs, to offend, humiliate or intimidate the person or group it is directed towards. Sexual harassment may
involve physical contact, verbal remarks or non verbal conduct of a sexual nature and may be explicit or implicit. It can take many forms, including:
- Uninvited touching, etc.
- Lewd jokes and comments.
- Propositions, promises or threats in return for sexual favours.
- Constant inappropriate references to sexual matters, persistent or intrusive questions about people’s private lives, the display of sexually explicit material or through the use of offensive e-mail messages.
- Sex based insults or taunts.
Acts of sexual harassment that include indecent exposure, sexual assault, obscene telephone calls or letters, are criminal offences and should be reported to the police.
It should be noted, behaviour that may be acceptable socially, or privately, could well be inappropriate in a sporting context.
Sex Based Harassment
Behaviour directed at a person simply because of his or her sex. In the sporting environment, the harassment may take the form of:
- Sex based insults and taunts.
- Comments that a person cannot or should not participate in Rugby Union or do a particular job within the union or club because of biological or emotional differences allegedly affecting their capacity to do so.
- Displays and behaviour which sets out to offend or exclude men or women from playing Rugby Union or a particular area of the club (eg. change rooms).
Racial Harassment
Behaviour that is directed towards those who look different, have English as a second language or belong to aparticular culture or religion. In the sporting environment, the harassment may take the form of:
- Denigrating jokes.
- Comments about family life or dietary habits.
- Inferences that all members of a racial or cultural group have a particular negative characteristic, such as laziness, drunkenness, greed or sexual promiscuity.
Sexual Orientation Harassment
Behaviour that is directed towards homosexual or bisexual people or people assumed to be homosexual or bisexual. In the sporting environment, the harassment may take the form of taunts and negative comments about:
- Sexual orientation.
- Assumed sexual practices.
- Assumed HIV/AIDS infection.
Severe cases can mean threats and violence against an individual.
CONSEQUENCES OF HARASSMENT
For Unions and Clubs
- Diminish the reputation and image in the community.
- Create a hostile or unpleasant environment.
- Increase the liability, insurance and legal costs.
- Create low morale.
- Increase turnover of staff, volunteers and players.
For the Individual
- Interfere with and affect an individual’s health.
- Reduce productivity and effectiveness.
- Reduce job and playing opportunities.
- Undermine self esteem.
- Diminish work, academic and athletic performance.
- Result in complete withdrawal from Rugby Union and social activities.
GUIDELINES TO PROTECT UNIONS AND CLUBS
- The unions and clubs are encouraged to provide an environment that promotes positive relationshipsbetween members which, in turn, will influence members attitudes towards the general community.
- The unions and clubs need to make all members aware of this policy, particularly the consequences of harassment.
- The procedures for reporting any incidence of harassment should be made available to all members.
- The unions and clubs are encouraged to develop a discipline strategy to deal with minor incidences of harassment at the club level.
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GUIDELINES TO PROTECT THE UNIONS MEMBERS
- The member is encouraged to avoid behaviours that may be deemed to be harassment.
- The member is encouraged to recognise the uniqueness of individuals and treat them as they would wish to be treated.
- The member has a responsibility to curtail, or at the very least report, any act of harassment they may witness.
- Those members, in positions of power, need to appreciate the power they possess, and not use it toinfluence others, such that, harassment may occur.
Note: Harassment in the Rugby Union environment must not be confused with legitimate comment and advice(including relevant negative comment or feedback) of coaches or managers on player performance or sport related behaviour. Feedback differs from harassment in that it is intended to assist the player in improving their performance or standard of behaviour.
Source: Australian Rugby Union Ltd, ABN 36 002 898 544, Level 7, 181 Miller Street, North Sydney. PO Box 188, North Sydney, NSW 2059, Australia.
Telephone + 61 (2) 9956 3444. Facsimile + 61 (2) 9955 3299. Website www.rugby.com.au
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