The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers hosts live classes and discussions, a Discord server, social media presences via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc., the Academy website, the Wayward Wormhole Intensive Writing Retreat and other programs and activities (the Venues). The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers is dedicated to assuring that the use of and access to the Academy Venues is free of all forms of harassment, intimidation and discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, gender, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital/domestic partnership status, or citizenship.
This Policy is applicable to members of The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers Community that participate in the Venues. The Community is comprised of Academy staff, employees, students, guest speakers, and attendees.
Definitions
Harassment proscribed by this Policy includes:
- Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other physical, verbal or written conduct of a sexual nature.
- Creating an intimidating, hostile, or sexually offensive environment by severe or pervasive conduct.
- Written conduct includes postings or similar conduct in online or electronic venues. Sexual harassment may occur in hierarchical relationships or between peers, and between persons of the same sex or different sexes.
- A hostile environment can be created by, among other things, unwanted jokes, gestures, and unwelcome comments and repartee; touching and any other bodily contact such as scratching, rubbing, or patting a person’s back, backside, or chest, grabbing another person around the waist, or deliberately interfering with a person’s ability to move, or written conduct referring to same; repeated requests for dates or sex that are turned down, or other unwanted flirting; filming, transmitting or posting any communication (such as chats, direct messages, and emails, etc.) or video and/or pictures of a sexual or other harassment-related nature.
With regard to access to or use of the Venues, discrimination or harassment that is based on race, age, sex, gender, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital/domestic partnership status, or citizenship, is also prohibited by this Policy.
This Policy is implicated when the harassment, intimidation or discrimination is sufficiently severe or pervasive to deny or limit a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers Venues. It is not necessary that the harassment, intimidation or discrimination have been directed specifically at any complaining party.
The purpose of this Policy is intended to discourage harassment, intimidation and discrimination in Rambo Academy Venues, in a manner that is consistent with the Acaedemy’s organizational principles. Therefore, this Policy shall be implemented in a manner that recognizes the importance of the freedom of speech and expression: no provision of this Policy shall be interpreted to prohibit conduct that is legitimately related to fiction, teaching methods, or public commentary of an individual member or the educational, political, artistic, or literary expression of members in fiction and public Venues.
Reporting Procedures
If the situation is safe, and the person experiencing harassment feels comfortable to do so, they should communicate with the individual engaging in the offensive behavior to let them know that the behavior is inappropriate and request that it immediately cease.
If such behavior does not immediately cease, or if direct communication is insufficient, unsafe, or uncomfortable, the behavior may be reported to any Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers faculty member. Such report should include the substance of the complaint, date(s), a list of witnesses and/or, when appropriate, reference URLs.
Non-Retaliation
This Policy prohibits retaliation against a member of The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers Community for reporting harassment, intimidation or discrimination and for participating in an investigation relating to same. The sanctions for retaliation are the same sanctions available to address any other violation of this Policy.
False Allegations
It is a violation of this Policy for a member of The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers Community to knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth make false claim of harassment, intimidation or discrimination. Failure to prove a claim of unlawful harassment is not, by itself, equivalent to a false claim.
Sanctions for Violation of Policy
Harassment, intimidation, and discrimination in violation of this Policy is materially and seriously prejudicial to the purposes and interests of The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers. When it has been determined that a violation of this Policy has occurred, The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers founder will determine, in its sole discretion, the appropriate sanction.
Reasonable action may include, but is not limited to, verbal notification to the individual that the behavior believed to be in violation of this Policy should be discontinued immediately, and/or removal of the individual from the Venue. If action is taken, the person taking the action shall deliver a written report on the event incident (including a detailed narrative of the incident and the names of all persons involved and of any witnesses) to The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers.
As supplements or alternatives to the sanctions of suspension or expulsion, one or more of the following non-exclusive actions may also be taken:
Warning one or more parties involved that specified behavior is inappropriate
Requiring a formal apology on behalf of the complainant(s)
Ejecting the offending party from the premises
Removing access to Venues on a temporary or permanent basis
Barring a non-member from future membership
Confidentiality
The Rambo Academy for Wayward Writers will make every reasonable effort to conduct all investigations into allegations of harassment, intimidation or discrimination in a manner that will protect the confidentiality of all parties. Notwithstanding the above, confidentiality is not absolute, and those with a legitimate business reason to know and to be informed of the allegations will be so informed. Parties to the complaint should treat the matter under investigation with discretion and respect for the reputation of all parties involved.
