Sexual harassment and racial discrimination are unlawful. Advice and assistance on these matters is available from Student Services.

The following principles apply:

• complaints will be considered seriously and in confidence
• support will be provided for both parties
• the emphasis will be on the prevention of harassment

Information for students

Equal Opportunity Policy includes information on the prevention of bullying, harassment and unlawful discrimination.

Further Information

Please view the Policy and Procedure on Equal Opportunity for Students (PDF).

Counsellors

To see a counsellor you need to contact the Student Services Office at your campus:

• Collingwood Campus
  Phone: (03) 9269 1632
• Epping Campus
  Phone: (03) 9269 1092
• Fairfield Campus
  Phone: (03) 9269 8839
• Greensborough Campus
  Phone: (03) 9269 1890
• Heidelberg Campus
  Phone: (03) 9269 8616
• Preston Campus
  Phone: (03) 9269 1314

The Equal Opportunity Commission

The EOC offers free, impartial confidential information and is located at:
3/380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
Advice Line: (03) 9281 7100
TTY: (03) 9281 7110
Freecall: 1800 134 142 (country callers)
Website: www.eoc.vic.gov.au

What to do if Harassed or Bullied

Take positive steps to manage the situation.

Talk to a counsellor or a teacher who can:

• help you decide if discrimination or harassment has occurred
• advise on appropriate action to take
• aupport you whether you decide to pursue a complaint or not

Criminal Offences

Actions such as obscene or unwanted telephone calls and letters, indecent exposure, stalking, assault and rape are criminal offences and should be reported to the police.

Confidentiality

All parties are entitled to confidentiality in the resolution of complaints of harassment, bullying or discrimination.

It is important that you do not publicly name the person you believe has harassed or discriminated against you.

NMIT is Committed to Promoting Equal Opportunity for all Students.
The institute actively seeks to eliminate and prevent discriminatory practices that hinder or limit the ability of students to pursue their education and participation in student life.

Harassment

Harassment is any unwelcomed or unreciprocated behaviour that is reasonably likely in all circumstances to offend, insult humiliate or intimidate another person.

Bullying

Bullying is actual hurtful behaviour directed by more powerful individuals or groups against those that are less powerful.

It can take many forms:

• Physical- kicking and hitting
• Verbal - name calling, obscene or threatening calls
• Social - spreading rumours or excluding someone
• Emotional - causing emotional upset / distress

Bullying and harassment are not always intentional. Sometimes people do not realise that their behaviour can be harmful to others.

Procedures for the Resolution of Complaints of Harassment Bullying or Discrimination

STEP 1. Self–Management

Seek advice: Speak to a counsellor or a member of the teaching staff.

Talk to the person:

Where appropriate, raise the matter directly with the person who has undertaken the behaviour (either verbally or in writing). This should occur as soon as possible after the offensive behaviour has occurred.

If unable to raise the issue directly with the person, you may wish to have the matter dealt with through an informal internal process (Step 2) or by lodging a formal complaint (Step 3).

STEP 2. Informal Internal Process

Contact the Student Welfare Coordinator who will attempt to resolve the complaint with the parties (usually within 5 working days).

The Student Welfare Coordinator will talk to the parties concerned and may organise meetings to resolve the issue as appropriate.

The parties concerned will be informed of any outcomes that may result from this informal resolution stage.

Where steps 1 and 2 have failed to resolve the matter, or have not been deemed appropriate or have not been attempted, you may lodge a formal complaint.

STEP 3. Formal Internal Process

Lodge your complaint in writing with the relevant Associate Director / Academic Head of Higher Education or Manager, Student Services, who will:

• Investigate the complaint and conduct meetings as required to determine the facts of the matter and if possible, resolve the matter.
• If unsuccessful in resolving the matter, a written report outlining the conclusions of the investigation and recommendations for a resolution will be provided.

Possible Outcomes

Where it is deemed that bullying, harassment or discrimination has occurred, action may be taken under the appropriate:

• Student Discipline Rule
• Institute’s employment procedures (e.g. staff member has discriminated against a student)
• Referral to the Faculty Board of Studies where an institute procedure is unfair.

Where it is determined that bullying, harassment or discrimination has not been proven, the complaint will be dismissed.

STEP 4. External Complaint

If dissatisfied with the outcome of attempts to resolve the matter, you may wish to lodge a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Commission.