Discrimination and Harassment
Harassment comes in many different forms and is sometimes difficult to define. It occurs for lots of different reasons, for example; race, disability, gender, appearance, mannerisms or sexuality.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can include suggestive or derogatory remarks; unnecessary and unwelcome physical contact; displaying offensive material (e.g. pornography); unwelcome requests for sexual encounters; written abuse; indecent exposure; sexual/ physical assault.
Associated with sexual harassment is explicit or implicit promised rewards for co-operation; explicit or implicit threats of punishment or penalty; intimidation creating a hostile or offensive environment.
Racial Harassment
Racial harassment can include verbal or written abuse; racist graffiti or symbols; derogatory name calling, insults or jokes; racist assumptions; exclusion from social conversation or events; ridicule of an individual for cultural differences, threats or physical attack.
Other forms of discrimination or harassment include persistent teasing; homophobic remarks; comments about personal characteristics; comments about disabilities; unfounded criticism of performance; or persistent phone calls, electronic mail or letters.
This can be because of the religious beliefs; age; health; past criminal record; physical/ mental disability; being diagnosed as HIV positive; or responsibilities for dependants.
The defining features of harassment are that the behaviour is unwanted by the recipient and would be regarded as harassment by any reasonable person.
What can I do?
If you encounter any kind of discrimination whilst on your placement, do not assume that there is nothing you can do about it. The Students’ Union will support you and help you to sort out the situation. It may be well worth asking for a copy of the company’s equal opportunities statement and policy when starting your placement
Contact the Anti-Harassment Network on 01225 383098 or email equalsdiv@bath.ac.uk