If You're Being Harassed...
Don't Pretend That It Isn't Happening
Questioning your own actions and behaviours is a common response of people who have been harassed. However, you are not to blame, nor are you responsible for someone else's actions and behaviour. Harassment will not go away if you ignore it. In fact, harassing behaviours may escalate if the (alleged) harasser feels that he or she can get away with it. Trust your instincts.
Seek Advice
Talk to people who will listen carefully and offer constructive support. Speak with your supervisor, your unit's equity advisor or the Administrative Head of your unit. Call the Equity Office for advice and information.
Familiarize yourself with UBC's Policy on Discrimination & Harassment (PDF) which is available at the Equity Office.
If you believe you or others are in physical danger, contact the Equity Office at 250.807.9291, your Administrative Head, the RCMP at 911 or Campus Security at 250.807.9236.
Under the Policy, it is the Administrative Head's responsibility to deal with concerns of discrimination and harassment. An Administrative Head is the Director of a service unit, centre, institute or school; Head of an academic department; Dean; Principal of a college; Associate Vice President; University Librarian; Registrar; Vice-President; or President. In some units, the Administrative Head of Unit has designated this responsibility to a faculty, staff or student unit equity advisor. Other departments have established an equity committee to deal with concerns. Contact your Administrative Head for more details on how to handle concerns in your faculty, unit or department.
Take Action
Your reaction to harassment is important. A harasser may interpret apparent tolerance or inaction as acceptance, even encouragement, of harassing behaviour. Generally, the most efficient way to stop harassment is to confront it immediately and directly. If it is safe to do so, clearly, directly and firmly tell the person to stop it and describe the way you expect to be treated. Alternately, if you would rather not speak to the person directly, you may choose to clearly write your concerns in a letter.
If you find that saying "no" does not stop the behaviour or if it is not safe to communicate directly with your harasser for fear of reprisal or concerns for your safety and comfort, approach the Equity Office or the Administrative Head of your unit for help. An Equity Office Advisor can help you draft a letter or prepare for a meeting with the person who is harassing you. If you wish, an Equity Office Advisor will work with the Head of your unit to remedy the problem or contact the harasser on your behalf.
Keep Records
Do not rely on your memory. Carefully record the dates, times, places, quotations, witnesses and details of the harassment as soon as it occurs, if possible. Record your attempts to tell your harasser that the behaviour is offensive and note any retaliation. Keep all material (i.e. notes, cards, gifts, tapes, email messages, letters, answering machine messages etc.) that the (alleged) harasser has sent you or that you have sent her/him.
Observe Confidentiality
Although you may need to talk with someone about your complaint of harassment or discrimination, please try to do so in a private setting where you cannot be overheard by other people in your work or study environment. Ask anyone to whom you speak about your complaint, to keep to themselves the information you share. Observing confidentiality protects your privacy and that of the respondent and helps the Equity Office resolve concerns in a more effective and satisfactory manner.
Last reviewed 
2/17/2011 6:40:37 PM
