Anti Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy establishes Aventis Graduate School’s commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environment. It applies to all students, staff, contractors, and any individuals engaging in school-related activities, regardless of location or mode of learning.

2. Policy Objectives

• Prevent harassment and sexual misconduct in all forms.
• Provide clear reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure timely, fair, and sensitive handling of all incidents.
• Uphold freedom of speech within legal bounds.
• Ensure staff and students are trained and supported.
• Manage and regulate intimate personal relationships to avoid abuse of power.

3. Definitions

• Harassment: Refers to any threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour, communication, or conduct (including online) that causes or is likely to cause distress, alarm, or harassment to another person. This is aligned with the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 (POHA) in Singapore.
• Sexual Misconduct: Includes any unwanted or inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature, whether physical, verbal, non-verbal, or digital. This encompasses sexual harassment, molestation, and other acts that violate an individual’s bodily autonomy or dignity, regardless of intent.
• Intimate Personal Relationship: A consensual romantic or sexual relationship involving emotional or physical closeness between individuals, including but not limited to dating, sexual contact, or cohabitation.
• Relevant Staff Member: Any staff member—full-time, part-time, adjunct, or contracted—who holds direct academic, administrative, supervisory, or pastoral responsibilities over a student, including teaching, grading, advising, or overseeing academic progress or conduct.

4. Comprehensive Source of Information

A single dedicated webpage titled “Dignity and Respect at Aventis” will serve as the authoritative, continuously updated source of information. It will include:

• All relevant policies and procedures.
• Clear version control and historical revisions.
• Prominent access from the homepage, handbooks, and student onboarding materials.

5. Prohibited Conduct

• Any form of harassment or sexual misconduct is strictly prohibited.
• Aventis maintains a ban on intimate personal relationships between relevant staff and students, unless exempted under “pre-existing relationship” clauses.
• Breaches may lead to disciplinary actions, including dismissal.

6. Reporting and Confidentiality

• Multiple reporting channels available (online, in-person, anonymous).
• Reports accepted from students, staff, or third parties.
• All disclosures will be handled sensitively and in line with data protection law.
• No use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in such cases.

7. Investigation Process

• Clearly documented steps for investigation and resolution.
• Commitment to fairness, impartiality, and the principles of natural justice.
• All parties involved will be informed of decisions and reasoning.

8. Training and Capacity Building

• Mandatory training for staff and students:
  • Understanding harassment and misconduct.
  • Consent and bystander awareness.
  • Freedom of speech obligations.
• Training delivered by qualified professionals and evaluated regularly.

9. Support for Students

• Personal, academic, and psychological support available for:
  • Complainants
  • Alleged perpetrators
  • Witnesses
• External referrals (e.g., counselling services, legal aid) will be made as needed.
• Adjustments in academic or assessment arrangements where required.

10. Freedom of Speech

• Aventis will ensure this policy upholds freedom of speech and academic freedom.
• Course materials and lawful academic discourse are presumed not to constitute harassment.

11. Oversight and Review

• The policy will be reviewed annually or when prompted by incidents or legal updates.
• Student and staff feedback will be actively sought and incorporated.