Note: This policy is subject to change at any time. Please check all NZH Policies on a regular basis for updates.
New Zealand Homestay (NZH) prohibits sexual harassment or abuse of any Guest under the care or supervision of NZH or its Hosts. This policy should be used in conjunction with the NZH Critical Incident Policy. Any violation of this policy will result in termination of the offending individual’s relationship with the organisation, and criminal prosecution may ensue.
Identifying Sexual Harassment
Examples of prohibited behaviour that could be defined as sexual harassment include:
For the purposes of this policy, sexual abuse is defined as inappropriate sexual contact or interaction with a Guest, whether initiated or received, by any individual functioning as a caregiver, or otherwise exercising responsibility, for any aspect of the Guest’s care. Sexual abuse includes sexual assault, exploitation, molestation or injury. It does not include sexual harassment, which is addressed below.
Signs of Potential Sexual Abuse
There are a number of “red flags” that suggest someone is being sexually abused. They take the form of physical or behavioural evidence.
Physical evidence of sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to:
Behavioural signals suggestive of sexual abuse include, but are not limited to:
Any NZH employee, NZH contractor, host or host family member who suspects, witnesses or otherwise learns of any potential instance of sexual harassment or abuse must immediately report it to the appropriate party:
Contact details for support organisations and local law enforcement should be offered to alleged victims aged 18 years or older.
These reporting procedures do not change or supersede an individual’s existing reporting requirements under state or federal law.
NZH will also take appropriate steps to report the alleged sexual harassment or abuse incident to its insurance company and make all further notifications deemed reasonably necessary to protect the alleged victim and NZH.
We take all allegations of sexual harassment or abuse extremely seriously. Every report will be investigated as per the NZH Critical Incident Policy and corrective action will be taken where appropriate. All complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Once the allegation is reported, we will promptly, thoroughly and impartially conduct an investigation to determine whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that sexual harassment or abuse has been committed. Our investigation may be undertaken by either an internal team or we may hire an independent third party. We will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or regulatory agencies and we may refer the complaint and the result of our investigation to those agencies.
If the alleged perpetrator is a member of the host family, the Guest will be immediately removed from the home and placed with another host family or alternate housing as required. NZH will take all reasonable measures to prevent the alleged perpetrator from engaging in verbal or physical contact with the Guest. We reserve the right to suspend stipend payments to the host family until the allegations have been resolved.
If the alleged perpetrator is an NZH staff member, we reserve the right to place the staff member on an involuntary leave of absence, or otherwise re-assign that person to responsibilities that do not involve personal contact with the alleged victim or other Guests, during the course of an investigation.
If the investigation substantiates the allegation, the perpetrator’s relationship with NZH will be terminated.
We will arrange medical attention and counselling services as required, monitor the need for counselling, and maintain contact with those who may need ongoing support.
To the fullest extent possible, but consistent with our need to complete a thorough investigation and our legal obligation to report suspected sexual harassment or abuse to appropriate authorities, we will endeavour to keep the identities of the alleged victims and investigation subject confidential.
Retaliation Prohibited
We prohibit any retaliation against anyone, including employees, contractors, family members, host family members, Guests or other individuals associated with NZH, who in good faith reports a potential violation of this policy or who participates in any related investigation.
Anyone who takes any action to retaliate against an individual who has made a good-faith report of a potential violation of this policy or who has participated in a related investigation will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of the individual’s relationship with the organisation
Intentionally false or malicious accusations of sexual harassment or abuse, or intentionally providing false information in a related investigation, is also prohibited and will subject the offending individual to discipline, up to and including termination of the individual’s relationship with the organisation.
Reviewed: August 2022
