Family Handbook 2018-19

Sexual Abuse: any sexual touching, sexual intercourse or sexual exploitation of a child and may  include any sexual behaviour directed toward a child. In determining whether behaviour is of a  sexual nature, one should ask whether a reasonable observer, looking at the behaviour in its  context, would conclude that it is. This would exclude normal affectionate behaviour towards  children and normal health or hygiene care. Principles:  (a) No student will experience corporal punishment, physical mistreatment, sexual, emotional  or verbal abuse by staff. In addition, students will be protected from violence and  harassment, including threats and/or bullying and inappropriate sexual behaviour by other  students.  (b) The school will educate all of its students about their right to live without fear of physical,  sexual and emotional abuse and neglect, and will support disclosure of such abuse.  (c) The school will educate all its employees, volunteers and parents about the issues of abuse  and neglect, and their duty to maintain safe and abuse‑free learning environments.  (d) While the school respects the diversity of its school communities, child abuse prevention  and reporting practices must be consistent with Canadian law.  (e) The school will hold all employees and volunteers accountable for the following:  i. the school staff and volunteers working directly with a student of any age in their  professional capacity will not enter into a sexual relationship with that student  during the course of the professional relationship or for a period of one year  thereafter; and  ii. in the case of students and former students under the age of 18, any such  relationship, in addition to being a serious breach of school policy, is also a criminal  offence of sexual exploitation or sexual assault.  (f) The school will ensure that all prospective employees are screened for records of criminal  conviction for sexual offences and offences involving children.

Investigation and Disclosure of Suspected Cases of Child Abuse or Neglect 

The following principles are directed at all persons who are employees of, or volunteers at the  school:  (a) If a person who suspects or has received disclosure that a child is being abused or neglected  has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is being abused/neglected, has been  abused/neglected, is at risk of being abused/neglected (no matter where the abuse/neglect  occurred or will occur), or is exposed to family violence, the person must report his or her  suspicions to a children’s aid society forthwith. 

Last Updated August 17, 2018 Havergal College Family Handbook 2018–19

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