Family Handbook 2018-19

vi. Before forwarding the complaint to the individual alleged to have engaged in harassment,  the VP School Life & Student Wellness/designate or Principal, as the case may be, shall first  meet with the complainant.  vii. The VP School Life & Student Wellness/designate or Principal’s designate will forward a  copy of the complaint to the respondent within seven (7) working days of receipt of the  complaint.  viii. The Vice Principal School Life & Student Wellness/Principal’s designate will discuss the  complaint separately within the two parties and, on their recommendation, may consult  with others who are in a position to provide relevant information. In conducting an  investigation, the VP School Life & Student Wellness /Principal’s designate will ensure that  the following steps are taken:  a. appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the complainant;  b. interview the complainant(s) and/or the third party reporting the complaint;  c. inform the respondent(s) of the allegations and provide an opportunity for a  response;  d. interview witnesses;  e. come to a conclusion about whether a specific incident did or did not occur based on  a balance of probabilities; and  f. take appropriate action to resolve the situation.  ix. A third party investigator may be retained by Havergal to conduct an investigation in  appropriate circumstances.  x. If considered appropriate by the VP School Life & Student Wellness/Principal’s designate  and/or the parties, the VP School Life & Student Wellness/Principal’s designate will prepare  a written summary of any agreement, reached between the parties, including timelines,  responsibilities and monitoring.  xi. The investigation should be completed as soon as possible, ideally within fifteen (15)  working days of receipt of the complaint. If circumstances of the complaint will require  longer than 15 working days for completion of the investigation, then both parties are to be  notified of the reasons for the delay and the expected time for completion of the process.  xii. Findings of the investigation and conclusions will be forwarded to both parties.  xiii. The complainant, at any stage, may choose to withdraw the complaint. The school,  however, may still be obliged to investigate. 

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

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