Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment Policy
Writers & Books, Inc. (WAB) will not tolerate any instances of discrimination, harassment, or any other form of abuse in conjunction with any of our programs or activities. Respect and consideration for others, both within and outside workshop sessions, readings, and other activities are core values to be upheld by all.
Harassment of community members on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, or disability is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Participants are expected to adhere to all federal, state and local laws and regulations while enrolled in a WAB program or participating in a WAB activity. Should a staff member, instructor, volunteer or participant be found to violate any aspect of the organization’s code of conduct, WAB reserves the right to dismiss her or him from the program or activity. Consequences may include, but not be limited to, suspension, dismissal from the current program or activity, and/or ineligibility for all future activities.
Policy on Sexual Harassment
It is the policy of WAB that no member of the WAB community—instructors, staff, administrators, contractors, interns, workshop participants, or third parties—may sexually harass any other member of the community. Sexual harassment violates the community values and principles of our organization and disrupts the living and learning environment for all. Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, which includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances; the use or threatened use of sexual favors as a basis for WAB program decisions; conduct that creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment; conduct that has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s activity in WAB programs; and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to limit a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from a WAB program or activity. Examples of sexual harassment may include:
- Pressure for a dating, romantic or intimate relationship
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Unwelcome touching, kissing, hugging or massaging
- Disregarding “no means no”
- Pressure for or forced sexual activity
- Unnecessary references to parts of the body
- Remarks about a person’s gender, nonconformity with gender stereotypes, or sexual orientation
- Sexual innuendos or humor
- Obscene gestures
- Sexual graffiti, pictures, or posters
- Sexually explicit profanity
- Stalking or cyberbullying that is based on gender or sex
- E-mail, texting (“sexting”) and Internet use that violates this policy
- Sexual assault or violence
Resolution
If a complaint of sexual harassment is found to be substantiated, appropriate corrective action will follow, up to and including separation of the offending party from WAB programs and activities.
Retaliation
WAB prohibits retaliation against anyone for registering a complaint pursuant to this policy, assisting another in making a complaint, or participating in an investigation under this policy. Anyone experiencing any conduct that he or she believes to be retaliatory should immediately report it to the staff person designated to receive such reports.
If you believe you have been harassed:
- Contact the Programs Director or other staff member designated to receive such reports.
- Do not blame yourself.
- Do not delay reporting a problem.
If you witness or become aware of possible harassing conduct by others:
- Contact the Programs Director or other staff person designated to receive such reports.
If you think you may have offended or harassed someone:
- Do not assume others will tell you when they feel offended or harassed by what you say and do.
- Examine how others respond to what you say and do.
- Change your behavior.