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Assembly Policies
Policy on the prevention of vilification
and harassment within the Uniting Church in Australia
Introduction
The Uniting Church in Australia believes that Christ has called us to
be witnesses for reconciliation in the world, reconciled both with God
and with each other.
The foundational document for the Uniting Church in Australia, the Basis
of Union, calls the church to be a “fellowship of reconciliation,
a body within which the diverse gifts of its members are used for the
building up of the whole, an instrument through which Christ may work
and bear witness to himself.”
This affirmation recognises that we are on a journey of reconciliation
with each other, and that in this journey we will encounter people with
diverse gifts, which are used to build a church together.
The challenge to accept the diversity of gifts and talents within the
church continues to be a struggle. Nevertheless, as a community of faith
we are committed to providing a safe place for people to explore and express
their faith in Jesus Christ.
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UC Policy Statement
The Uniting Church in Australia commits itself to providing a safe
place for people to explore and express their faith in Jesus Christ.
The Church rejects all forms of harassment and vilification. It
commits itself to a process of prevention of harassment and vilification,
and of appropriate response to instances of harassment and vilification
if they occur. |
Expectations of the Church
The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to:
- modelling behaviour that values each individual as made in the image
of God;
- ensuring that its worship, pastoral care, services and structures
are free from harassment and vilification;
- recognising harassment and vilification when it occurs and dealing
with it;
- ensuring that all UCA agencies have written policies and procedures
in place for dealing with issues of harassment and vilification;
- ensuring that all congregations, councils and agencies of the church
are able to implement such policies and procedures;
- ensuring that all members, employees and clients are aware of such
policies and can access procedures easily;
- providing adequate training to assist in the prevention of harassment
and vilification;
- encouraging the reporting of inappropriate and illegal behaviours;
- applying the principles of Natural Justice.
The Uniting Church in Australia rejects all activities
or comments, which are:
- designed to harass a person or group of persons; or
- made or done in a deliberately malicious, or divisive manner and where
the intent of such activities or comments are to discredit, or defame,
or express hatred and animosity or inflict injury or incite hatred or
contempt for a person, or group of people.
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UC Policy Statement
It is not acceptable to harass or vilify a person or group of persons
in any church or church agency activity or forum. |
Sometimes a person is not harassed or vilified directly, but through the
ways in which councils or other bodies of the Church exercise their powers
and responsibilities. For example, when a council permits or encourages
the same issue, previously determined, relating to a particular person
or group of persons, to be repeatedly raised in its meetings (eg by repeatedly
tabling letters of complaint singling out that person or group) that person
or group of persons may experience this as either offensive, humiliating
or intimidating.
| UC Policy Statement
The Uniting Church commits itself to ensuring that it does not exercise
its powers and responsibilities in ways that harass or vilify a
person or group of persons. |
Freedom of expression
This policy is not intended to prevent people from talking about such
things as race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, marital
status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, political opinion, HIV/AIDS,
trade union affiliation and criminal record.
Nor is it intended to censor religious, artistic, and
political expression, even when offence and division might be an outcome.
However, it is expected that such activities are reasonable and in good
faith and in the interests of the church community and the public interest
generally. It is also expected that they take place in forums where all
interested parties have an opportunity to fully and properly participate.
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UC Policy statement
Public activities including discussions, conversations, debates,
artistic works, and theological and religious reflections are expected
and encouraged within the church and its agencies;
- as long as they are in good faith and in the
interests of the church community and the wider community as a
whole; and
- in forums where all interested parties have
an opportunity to participate.
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Understanding the legal implications
Federal and State Legislation
The Church is part of the wider community and the laws of our respective
states and territories and the federal government bind us. Each jurisdiction
has its own set of laws regarding harassment and vilification. The jurisdictions
generally are in agreement about the issues that can trigger complaints
of harassment and vilification. They are race, age, disability, marital
status, parental status, pregnancy, trade union activity, religion, gender,
sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, HIV/AIDS status
and criminal record.
Harassment may be associated with any of these matters, but may also not
be associated with a particular issue at all. Vilification however, will
generally be associated with a particular issue.
Anti Discrimination legislation may contain a set of exemptions for religious
bodies. However these exemptions usually refer to employment within church
institutions. Religious bodies are not exempted from harassment and vilification
laws.
Harassment
Is repeated behaviour that is directed at a person or group of persons
and that is:
- offensive, humiliating or threatening, and
- is unwelcome and unsolicited and
- a reasonable person would consider is offensive, intimidating,
humiliating, or threatening to the person or group of persons.
Harassment includes bullying. This can include repeated behaviours such
as:
- rude, foul and abusive language;
- constant criticism;
- humiliating and demeaning conduct in front of others;
- taunts and ridicule; and
- provision of offensive material.
Vilification
Is behaviour that
- happens publicly and
- occurs in order to discredit, or defame, or express hatred an animosity,
or inflict injury, or incite hatred or contempt for a person or group
of
people.
Assembly Standing Committee
March 2003
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