harrassment plicy

Policy Statement

Orane International College is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Bullying, discrimination, racism, and/or harassment of any sort is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Understanding Discrimination

Discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly or burdened without a valid reason, especially when the treatment is linked to personal characteristics like:

  • Race or ethnicity
  • Place of origin or ancestry
  • Religion or spiritual beliefs
  • Gender identity or expression
  • Sexual orientation
  • Mental or physical disability
  • Sex or age
  • Family or marital status

Harassment and Discrimination: What It Can Look Like

Discrimination and harassment can involve one serious incident or a pattern of repeated actions. It can show up in many forms, including:

  • Racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes or comments.
  • Unwanted romantic or sexual messages or advances—even after you’ve said you’re not interested.
  • Mocking someone’s accent, culture, or religion.
  • Being misgendered or repeatedly called by the wrong pronoun, especially if it’s intentional.
  • Not being allowed to reschedule an exam for a religious or spiritual reason.
  • Being denied accommodations for a disability.
  • Receiving unfair grades or evaluations because of your sexual orientation or cultural background.

Our Zero-Tolerance Stance

We expect every member of the Orane community to uphold strong standards of behavior.

  • At Orane, we maintain high expectations for personal conduct. Therefore, if a person/student is found engaging in racist or harassing behavior, serious consequences will follow. These range from suspension to expulsion or even termination of services.
  • In serious cases, local authorities or legal bodies may be involved.
  • Bystanders are encouraged to report incidents or seek support.

Reporting an Incident

At Orane Canada, if you witness or are affected by racism or harassment, we encourage you to speak up. 

  • In Person: Confidential reports can be made in person to the Campus Principal. 
  • Email: instructor@orane.ca
  • Written Form: Complaint forms are available at the reception.
  • Online: If you need to file a complaint outside of the college.

Anonymous reports will be reviewed; however, full investigations may require identifying information.

If You Witness an Act of Discrimination

A bystander is someone who observes a conflict, unacceptable behavior, or an unsafe situation. By taking steps to make a difference, you can be an active bystander and support those in the situation. 

If you witness an act of discrimination, depending on the situation or your feeling of safety, you can employ any of the 5  Ds of bystander intervention: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, or Direct. 

Investigation Process

First, understand that you do not deserve what is happening. 

All complaints are handled with care, confidentiality, and fairness:

  1. Acknowledgement: Harassment is unlikely to stop or go away if you ignore it. It takes courage to address what is happening, and the first step is to acknowledge that it does not have to be this way. 

It can be hard to remember every detail of a harassment incident, especially over time. Don’t rely on memory alone, it’s important to document what happened as soon as possible.

Here’s what to do:

  • Write down the details of each incident right away. Include dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and who was involved or witnessed it.
  • Record any attempts to set boundaries, such as when you told the person their behaviour was unwelcome (in person, through text, email, etc.).
  • Keep all evidence, including:
    • Harassing emails, texts, or messages
    • Voicemails
    • Letters or notes
    • Unwanted gifts
    • Screenshots of social media messages or posts

Keeping detailed records can help support your case if you choose to report the harassment or seek help later.

  1. Assessment & Investigation: A designated impartial panel will gather relevant details and interview parties as necessary
  2. Resolution & Action: Corrective measures, if warranted, will be taken promptly. Outcomes will be documented and shared with involved parties

Student Support and Resources

Students who have experienced or reported harassment or racism may access:

  • If you believe you or others are in danger, contact 911 immediately or visit your nearest emergency room
  • If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or at risk of harm, call or text 988 toll-free any time to reach the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline.
  • Academic flexibility or accommodations
  • Regular updates and emotional support during and after the complaint process.
  • Take an online assessment and find resources to support your mental health

If you’re a Vancouver resident, you can connect with the Access and Assessment Centre between 7:30 am and 9:30 pm for walk-in services, or call between 7:30 am and 10:00 pm. If you live outside of Vancouver but in British Columbia, you can visit a Rapid Access Clinic in your area.

Students may visit the Government of Canada site for more help, resources, and services regarding racial discrimination. 

Medical Resources 

You have options if you wish to seek medical help after sexual violence. 

You may choose to access any of the following types of medical care: 

  • Hospital services, including medical care, testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and, if you wish, forensic evidence collection – available 24/7
  • General practitioner services, including medical care and testing for pregnancy and STIs, are usually open on business days and hours. 
  • Walk-in clinics, including medical care and testing for pregnancy and STIs, are usually open on business hours, often with some evening and weekend availability.  

24/7 Support 

If you need to talk to a health professional

Call, chat online, or use the mobile app to get free, immediate, 24/7 mental health counselling, available in various languages for students in British Columbia. 

If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or at risk of harm, call or chat online with a crisis responder anytime. 

Receive online and phone counselling and crisis support. 

Annual Review & Compliance

This policy will be reviewed annually by the College to ensure compliance with Canadian legislation and evolving institutional standards, including alignment with the Workplace Harassment Policies under the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

We truly believe that everyone at Orane International College has the right to study and work in an environment built on mutual respect and personal dignity. We are actively working to build a community that reflects Canada’s multicultural values and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and empathy.