What conduct standards are we bound by?

1.   All staff must behave with integrity and carry out their professional responsibilities in accordance with the Public Sector Code of Ethics, public sector standards as in the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and all Department policies.

The assessment of alleged sexual, physical, emotional or psychological abuse of a student perpetrated by an employee is the responsibility of the Standards and Integrity Directorate and may result in disciplinary action.  Refer to the Department’s Discipline policy for further information.

Examples of sexual behaviour that  constitute misconduct include but are not limited to:

• watching children undress, e.g. in changing rooms where supervision is not required or justified, undressing in front of a student; sharing a room, inviting or allowing a student into the staff member’s room during residential activities
• making references to a teacher’s or student’s sex life, sexual compliments, sexualised comments about a student’s physical appearance, inappropriate use of sexualised language, sexually suggestive comments
• electronic communication (via internet, e-mail, screensavers or text messages etc.) of obscene pictures, posters or cartoons, messages or jokes.

2.    The Code of Law

It is a criminal offence for a Department employee to have a sexual relationship with a child less than 18 years of age.  Under no circumstances can a child consent to a sexual relationship with an employee, by virtue of the fact that the employee is in a position of authority.  It is also considered a breach of discipline to have a sexual relationship with a student over 18 years of age.

Examples of sexual behaviour that constitute criminal behaviour include but are not limited to:

• propositions, invitations or requests for sex
• comments that express a desire to act in a sexual manner
• accessing and communicating pornographic or sexually explicit material
• using electronic means to procure or expose a child to indecent material.