Charismata prohibits and does not tolerate harassment of any kind within the organisation. Those reasonably suspected or believed to have committed bullying or sexual harassment, abuse or misconduct of a member in any context will be appropriately disciplined. No choir member, volunteer, leader or other person within or associated with our organisation, regardless of his or her title or position, has the right to commit harassment or allow harassment committed during an organisation-related activity to go unreported to one of the co-leaders.
Harassment may include, but is not limited to the following types of inappropriate conduct:
Verbal conduct: such as derogatory comments, jokes, or slurs; unwanted sexual invitations, unwelcome advances, or comments; or persistent, unwanted personal or digital contact
Non-verbal communication behaviours: such as glares, hand gestures or body motions which might reasonably be perceived to be threatening or sexual
Physical conduct: such as unwanted or offensive touching; impeding or blocking someone’s movement; pushing, shoving or dragging; assault; or any illegal sexual contact
Visual conduct: such as sharing derogatory or offensive print, drawn or digital images, leering or voyeuristic behaviour
Immediately report suspected harassment to one of the two co-leaders of Charismata. It is not recommended to directly confront the person who is the subject of the report before notifying one of the leaders.
The misconduct procedure will be exercised in a way that will ensure any person(s) complaining has/have the opportunity to be heard and treated fairly, and that the complaint will remain confidential to the parties involved and the Charismata steering committee. An investigation lead by two or more members of the Charismata steering committee will be launched. If the harassment, or suspected harassment, continues during the investigative phase, immediate action will be taken to stop this conduct and protect any potential victim(s). Where there is any concern that the misconduct could be an indictable offense, the complainant(s) will be supported in contacting the police. At any point of investigation/intervention, all parties have the right to have an advocate and/or whānau/family support person present.
The person who is the subject of the report will be informed in writing, early in the investigative phase, by one of the steering committee that a complaint has been made, though the identity of the complainant(s) may be withheld at their request. Where the committee deems they are unable to conduct the investigation impartially, or that such an investigation would be beyond the scope of competence of its members, they may choose a suitable, experienced professional (e.g., a mediator with experience in misconduct) to lead the investigation with the assistance of one of the steering committee members.
Both the complainant(s) and the person who is the subject of the complaint will be kept informed of the progress of the investigation by a steering committee member/leader. Both parties will be allowed to state their case to the investigators in person, and/or in writing. Both parties will be encouraged to seek outside support during the process (e.g., counselling).
After the completion of the investigation, a written report will be sent to all involved parties. If harassment is deemed to have occurred, or may be reasonably suspected to have occurred, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. The complainant(s) may be consulted on the topic of suitable (and if possible/appropriate, restorative) disciplinary action, which can then be proposed to the perpetrator of the misconduct for consideration.
Charismata prohibits retaliation made against any member, volunteer, or other person associated with our organisation who lodges a good faith complaint of harassment or who participates in any related investigation or disciplinary action. Charismata also prohibits making false or malicious harassment allegations, as well as deliberately providing false information during an investigation. Anyone who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action and termination of membership.