The SCA prohibits bullying and harassment of all individuals and groups. Bullying and Harassment Policy Changes – Approved by the Board of Directors at the April 4, 2020 quarterly meeting.
Bullying is the systematic and unwelcome behavior that involves the use of influence, threat, intimidation, or coercion to cause hurt or harm to another person or group of people. When the bullying behavior is based on a protected class, that behavior is defined as harassment. Protected classes that can be considered as factors for bullying or harassment include, but are not limited to, race, sex, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
Bullying and Harassment may be overt, as in the following non-inclusive list of examples:
Verbal abuse, including using racial, homophobic, transphobic, ableist epithets, etc.
Non-consensual physical contact, violence, or threatening gestures
Displaying material that is offensive, degrading, or threatening to a protected class
Consistent demeaning remarks or malicious teasing
Stalking or predatory behavior
Or Covert:
Spreading rumors or innuendo with malicious intent
Deliberate exclusion, isolation, or alienation of an individual without just cause
Using rank, title, or office to intimidate others.
Provided that the behavior does not rise to the criteria listed above, bullying and harassment is not:
Single episodes of social rejection, dislike, tactlessness, or forgetfulness
Mutual arguments, disagreements, or fights
The termination, mutual or not, of a romantic relationship or friendship
Reasonable or constructive feedback or critique.
The test for bullying is the reasonableness of the behavior and the impact of that behavior on the
recipient.
Participants engaging in bullying/harassment are subject to appropriate sanctions. If an individual
believes they have been subjected to or have witnessed harassment, bullying, or retaliation, that person
should contact a seneschal, the President of the SCA, or that kingdom’s Board Ombudsman