Family Handbook 2019-20

Physical Abuse: ​ any physical force or action which results in or may potentially result in a non-accidental injury to a child and which exceeds that which could be considered reasonable discipline. 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.

Last Edited: August 20, 2019 Havergal College Family Handbook 2019–20

163