Zero Tolerance Policies

Zero Tolerance Policy

Harassment

Halifax Hurricanes Ringette is committed to providing a work and sport environment free from harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or disability. HHRA has a zero-tolerance policy for Harassment of any kind.

Types of behaviour which constitute harassment include but are not limited to:

• Written or verbal abuse or threats;
• The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive;
• Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunting about a person’s looks, body,  attire, age, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation;
• Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures;
• Condescending or patronizing behaviour which undermines self-esteem, diminishes performance, or adversely affects working conditions;
• Practical jokes which cause embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety or negatively affect performance;
• Unwanted physical contact including touching, petting, pinching or kissing;
• Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or invitations; and
• Physical or sexual assault.

Every member of Halifax Hurricanes Ringette has responsibility to play a part in ensuring that the Ringette Nova Scotia sport environment is free from harassment. This means not engaging in, allowing, condoning, or ignoring behaviour contrary to this policy.

A person who experiences harassment is encouraged to make it known to the harasser that the behaviour is unwelcome, offensive, and contrary to this policy.

For further guidelines about the harassment policy, HHRA will adhere to the Harassment policy outlined in the RNS Operating Manual.

Bullying

Bullying involves a person expressing his or her power through the humiliation of another person. Bullying occurs between people at any age. It is inappropriate behavior that is typically cruel, demeaning and hostile toward the bullying target.

The actual issue of bullying is not addressed by the law, except when the behavior does become a criminal issue - e.g. extortion, physical assault etc. or as defined under the *Cyber-safety Act

Bullying can be broken down into four types:

1. Physical - ex. Hit or kick victims; take/damage personal property
2. Verbal - ex. Name calling; insults; constant teasing
3. Social - ex. Try to cut off victims from social connection by convincing peers to exclude or reject a certain person
4. Cyberbullying - The Cyber-safety Act defines “cyberbullying” as any electronic communication using technology including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, computers, other electronic devices, social networks, text messaging, instant messaging, websites and electronic mail - ex. Facebook, twitter, texting, Instagram etc.

Types of behavior that constitute bullying include, but are not limited to:

• Unwarranted yelling and screaming directed at the target.
• Continually criticizing the target’s abilities.
• Blaming the target for mistakes.
• Making unreasonable demands related to performance.
• Repeated insults or put downs of the target.
• Repeated threats to remove or restrict opportunities or privileges.
• Denying or discounting the target’s accomplishment.
• Threats of physical violence.
• Actual physical violence.

Every member of Halifax Hurricanes Ringette has responsibility to play a part in ensuring that the Ringette Nova Scotia sport environment is free from bullying. This means not engaging in, allowing, condoning, or ignoring behaviour contrary to this policy.

1. A person who experiences bullying is encouraged to make it known that the behaviour is unwelcome, offensive, and contrary to this policy and is encouraged to report such behavior.
2. HHRA will apply the same sanctions as outlined in the RNS Operating Manual for dealing with harassment.

1. *Under the Cyber-safety Act, A Court may order a person to limit their use of technology so they cannot use it to bully; take away computers, cell phones, other mobile devices and/or Internet services. Individuals who disobey these orders can pay a fine of up to $5,000; go to jail for up to six months, or both. Victims of cyberbullying can sue in civil court. Parents of a minor child who is the cyberbully can also be taken to court and ordered to pay damages. (http://cyberscan.novascotia.ca/)

Hazing

Hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.

Hazing is a broad term encompassing any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; which may demean, degrade or disgrace any person regardless of location, intent, or consent of participants; any action or situation which intentionally or unintentionally endangers an athlete for admission into or affiliation with any team.

Any instance where an athlete is pressured by his or her teammates to participate in an activity with which the athlete is uncomfortable is considered an incidence of hazing.

1. THREE CATEGORIES OF HAZING
   1. Subtle - Actions that are against accepted and organization standards of conduct, behavior, and good taste. An activity or attitude directed toward an athlete or an act, which ridicules, humiliates, and/or embarrasses. - Ex. Deception, assigning demerits, implied threats, deprivation of privileges
   2. Harassment - Anything that causes anguish or physical discomfort to an athlete, any activity directed toward an athlete, which confuses, frustrates, or causes undue stress.  Ex. Verbal abuse, threats, wearing embarrassing attire, sleep deprivation, sexual simulations

1. Violent - Any form of action that may cause physical punishment or any action that may cause bodily harm and/or touching in private places and/or de-clothing of an athlete.  Ex. Forced alcohol/drug consumption, beating/paddling or assault, branding, burning, public nudity, and/or bondage

Every member of Halifax Hurricanes Ringette has responsibility to play a part in ensuring that the Ringette Nova Scotia sport environment is free from hazing. This means not engaging in, allowing, condoning, or ignoring behaviour contrary to this policy.

A person who experiences hazing is encouraged to make it known that the behaviour is unwelcome, offensive, and contrary to this policy and is encouraged to report such behavior.

HHRA will apply the same sanctions as outlined in the RNS Operating Manual for dealing with harassment.