Equality is essential within modern society and something that effects us all not just those in a minority group. Please read further into bullying and discrimination in the accompanying pages to find out more info on these topics.
Please feel free to contact the Students’ Union at any time if you feel that you or somebody else is being bullied or discriminated against.
Bullying
Bullying is one of the most common destructive social practices experienced by both children and adults. In an environment that recognises the value of respect and dignity there should be no place for bullying.
Bullying is a serious issue and one that should not be let go unknown or untreated. If at any time during your time at DkIT please do not hesitate to contact the Students Union for help and advice. There is an anti-bullying policy in DkIT and offenders are dealt with accordingly.
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership – or perceived membership – in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. It involves excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to other groups.
The 9 Grounds on which Discrimination is Unlawful
- Gender – male or female
- Marital status – which means single, married, separated, divorced, or widowed.
- Family status – this means having responsibility either as a parent or as a person in loco parentis for someone below 18 years of age, or as a parent or resident primary carer for someone 18 years or over with a disability who requires a high degree of support and attention.
- Age – in general this means people in employment between the ages of 18 and people in vocational training between the ages of 15 and 65.
- Disability – this is defined in the legislation as including total or partial absence of bodily or mental facilities, chronic disease, whether manifest or not, learning and personality disorders. It includes a condition, illness or disease which affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or which results in disturbed behaviour and shall be taken to include a disability which exists at present, or which previously existed but no longer exists or which may exist in the future or which is imputed to a person. Reasonable accommodation of people with disabilities is a legal requirement under both the Employment Equality Act and the Equal Status Act, subject to a nominal cost exemption.
- Race – includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.
- Sexual Orientation – covers heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual orientation.
- Religious Belief – includes religious background or outlook
- Membership of the Traveller community
What to do if you are discriminated against
If you feel that you have been discriminated against, there are a number of steps you can take: a complaint should be raised with college or the party in question directly. This provides an opportunity for resolution of the problem between all parties. If however the student is not satisfied with the response the next step is to consider contacting the Students’ Union. We’ll take it from there.