Sexual Harassment and Exclusion Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

Effective Altruism Oxford is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members and participants. Sexual harassment is incompatible with this goal.

This policy sets out:

  • What constitutes sexual harassment

  • How concerns or complaints can be raised

  • How the club will respond

  • When and how individuals may be excluded from club activities

This policy applies to:

  • All members of the club

  • Attendees at club events (including non-members)

  • Conduct occurring at club events, online spaces, or in contexts reasonably connected to the club

2. Definition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment includes unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of:

  • Violating a person’s dignity, or

  • Creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Unwanted sexual comments, jokes, or messages

  • Unwanted sexual attention or advances

  • Sexualised comments about someone’s body or appearance

  • Sharing sexual images or content without consent

  • Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature

  • Pressuring someone into sexual or romantic interaction

  • Retaliation against someone for rejecting sexual advances or reporting concerns

Impact matters more than intent.

3. Reporting Concerns

Anyone may raise a concern or make a report, including:

  • The person affected

  • A witness

  • A club officer acting on information received

Reports can be made to:

  • Any member of the committee, or

  • A designated Welfare or Safeguarding Officer (if applicable)

Reports may be made informally or formally. Anonymous reports will be considered, though they may limit the club’s ability to act.

4. Response and Process

The club will take all reports seriously and respond promptly.

The response may include:

  • Listening to the person affected and prioritising their safety

  • Taking interim measures (e.g. separating individuals at events)

  • Gathering relevant information, where appropriate

  • Consulting relevant university policies or support services

The club is not a court and does not require proof beyond reasonable doubt. Decisions will be made on the balance of probabilities, based on available information.

Confidentiality will be respected as far as possible, but cannot be guaranteed if action is required to protect others.

5. Exclusion and Sanctions

If the committee reasonably believes that a person has engaged in sexual harassment, the club may take action, including:

  • Issuing a warning

  • Imposing conditions on participation

  • Temporarily excluding the person from some or all club activities

  • Permanently excluding the person from the club

Exclusion may be applied even if:

  • No formal university process has occurred

  • The conduct does not meet a criminal threshold

  • The person is not a club member

The primary consideration will be the safety and wellbeing of others, not the comfort or reputation of the person complained about.

6. Appeals

A person who is excluded may request a review by a different subset of the committee or an independent advisor (where available). Appeals must be based on:

  • New information, or

  • A clear procedural error

Disagreement with the outcome alone is not grounds for appeal.

7. Relationship to University Processes

This policy does not replace or override university disciplinary procedures. The club may:

  • Encourage individuals to use formal university reporting channels

  • Take action independently of any university investigation or outcome

The club reserves the right to act to protect its members even if the university does not.

8. Commitment

Effective Altruism Oxford recognises that failing to act on sexual harassment causes harm. The club commits to erring on the side of safety rather than inaction.