What is a SAFE SPACE?
A place or an environment where a person is respected, secured, could show and communicate their true self where there is genuine care, support system, sensitivity, equality, no judgment and no discrimination of one’s gender, age, race, social standing, and experiences.
A place where verbal, emotional, psychological, and physical harm is absent and where there are people who could respond properly and immediately to a person or a group’s call for help.
What is Gender-Based Sexual Harassment?
Verbal, nonverbal, graphic, or physical aggression, intimidation, or hostile conduct based on sex, sex-stereotyping, sexual orientation or gender identity, involving conduct of a sexual nature that causes or likely to cause mental, emotional or psychological distress, and fear of personal safety such as sexual harassment acts committed through nonconsensual, unwanted or uninvited sexual action or remarks against any person regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks. See examples >
Who can commit gender-based sexual harassment?
Anyone can commit gender-based sexual harassment. This includes:
- People on the street
- Those with authority, influence or moral ascendancy such as teachers, trainers or superiors)
- Peers (such as classmates or friends)
- Subordinates (such as employees, trainees or students)
Miriam College Safe Spaces Primer
This document presents a detailed guide for all Miriam College employees and students on what to do and on what actions they can take should they or someone they know encounter incidents of Gender-Based Sexual Harassment (GBSH) within spaces covered by the school. This primer will mainly cover the procedures and steps that individuals or groups may take in reporting and filing a complaint, using the different mechanisms and channels provided by the school. It will also cover relevant information relating to investigation, hearing, and deciding a case, as well as options a Complainant and a Respondent have should they decide to appeal a decision.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about the R.A. No. 11313 Safe Spaces Act Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) and the Miriam College SAFE SPACES ACT, please view the document by clicking the document button.
Data Privacy Considerations
A safe space respects and values your privacy.
Learn more about MC’s Data Privacy Considerations on Using Online Platforms.
WHAT TO DO?
What to do IF YOU ARE HARASSED?
- Assess the situation if it is best to confront or ignore your harasser.
- Immediately go somewhere safe.
- Call the attention or help of your family, friends, any teacher, school personnel, or workmate you trust.
- File a formal complaint to the School Authorities via email: safespaces@mc.edu.ph.
- Call the SAFELINE at 09177061376 and 09177061545 for Globe, 09189645301 and 09989820537 for Smart subscribers.
What CAN I DO if I was harassed online?
- Block the person harassing you.
- Report profile, accounts, or users that are using your identity or are posing as you online.
- Take screenshots and other evidences of online harassment.
- Report or file a complaint to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG).
SAFELINE is an additional channel for handling reports on incidents violating the institution’s policies on safe spaces. These incidents will include, but may not be limited to, sexual harassment, intimidation, and bullying.
With the SAFELINE service, Miriam College continues to advance our objective of ‘safe space for all’. We trust the MC community will find SAFELINE as an additional means to respond to these concerns. We encourage the community to avail of this service.
WHAT DO I DO if my classmate, friend, or workmate experiences sexual harassment?
- Provide support. Don’t be a bystander if you witness someone being sexually harassed.
- Suggest to your classmate, friend, or workmate to call the attention or help of their family member, teacher, school personnel, or workmate that they trust.
- Inform your classmate, friend, or workmate that they could file a complaint via email: safespaces@mc.edu.ph.
- Inform your classmate, friend, or workmate that they could file a complaint or seek support through the SAFELINE service..
- Educate yourself and learn more about the Safe Spaces Act.
Gender-based sexual harassment could be done by anyone regardless of age, sex, gender, and status and anywhere whether online, or in public or private places. Let us be empowered and educate ourselves and others about the Safe Spaces Act so we can truly have a SAFE SPACE for all.
