Sexual Harassment
This page is a supplement to our Conduct Policy, acting as a guide to recognising sexual harassment and what to do if you are being sexually harassed. Any questions or concerns about the issues raised in this policy should be directed to primarily the Volunteers Director. Please see below for a list of whom to contact in order to submit a sexual harassment claim.
Updated: August 2023
Introduction
QuadballUK does not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind of its members. We take the matter of very seriously and have published this resource which we hope makes clear our commitment to eradicating sexual harassment wherever it is found.
All members of QUK have a responsibility to comply with this policy and to treat all members, players, officials, and volunteers of all genders with dignity and respect.
Individuals suffering sexual harassment should not hesitate to use the procedures set out below. Members should not fear victimisation upon bringing complaints; they will be treated seriously and confidentially.
However, you should always remember that any complaint which is made should be serious and should not be made frivolously.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is an unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended, humiliated, uncomfortable and/or intimidated, where a reasonable person would anticipate that reaction in the circumstances.
Examples of conduct which may constitute sexual harassment and are clearly unacceptable are:
- Unwelcome touching;
- Staring or leering;
- Suggestive comments or jokes;
- The display or circulation of sexually suggestive material.;
- Unwanted invitations to go out on dates;
- Requests for sex;
- Intrusive questions about a person's private life or body;
- Unnecessary familiarity, such as deliberately brushing up against a person;
- Insults or taunts of a sexual nature;
- Sexually explicit physical contact;
- Sexually explicit content through digital communication (social media, sms, instant messenger etc.).
This list is not exhaustive. There is no requirement for the behaviour to be repeated or frequent, a single incident will constitute sexual harassment if sufficiently serious.
If you're unsure whether what's happened is sexual harassment, do contact the Volunteers Director or else another trusted QUK volunteer confidentially, on an informal basis. They will be able to advise you as to whether the complaint merits further action, in which case the matter will be dealt with formally.
How do you report sexual harassment?
If an incident happens which you think may be sexual harassment it may be possible that it can be dealt with by telling the offending person that you do not want it to happen again. However, this may not work or you may not wish to confront the individual concerned, in which case you should use the procedure set out below.
Below is a list of people you should contact to report the allegation, in order of relevance:
- Volunteers Director
- Another volunteer within the Volunteers Department
- Vice-President
- President
- Clubs Director
You may also use the Contact Us form on our website; this will be sent to the Secretary who will triage it to a relevant volunteer without a conflict of interest.
How does QuidditchUK respond to sexual harassment?
QUK will open an investigation, which will be conducted thoroughly and fairly. It will not be carried out by anyone having a conflict of interest with those involved. You'll be asked not to discuss the investigation of the alleged incidents with others, and a prompt timetable will be set out for the investigation.
The process may involve interviews with yourself, the alleged harasser, and other involved parties, as well as other methods of investigation as deemed appropriate. You will never be required to attend any interview alongside your alleged harasser.
Issues which may be raised with you may include:
- What happened, when and where?
- Were there any witnesses to the harassment?
- Do you know of anyone else who has experienced similar behaviour?
- Have you notified anybody else of the situation?
- What has been done about the situation?
- What do you want done about the situation?
At the conclusion of the investigation disciplinary action may be taken against the subject of the complaint and, depending on the circumstances of that individual and the seriousness of the complaint, may result in the removal and barring of that individual from any QUK event or member team training.
Conclusion
All members should be aware of their responsibilities, and know that those perpetrating sexual harassment will be subject to the Conduct Policy enforced by QUK with zero tolerance. We hope that by issuing this resource we have made clear our commitment to keeping our community free from sexual harassment.