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The Women's Classical Caucus (WCC) is undertaking a major initiative to address all forms of harassment in the field of Classics. As part of this initiative, the WCC leadership has begun to collaborate with the SCS Committee on Gender and Sexuality in the Profession, and Vice President for Professional Matters, Barbara Gold. The first result of this collaboration is the following statement addressing harassment, bullying, and intimidation at the Annual Meeting. This statement has been approved by the SCS Board of Directors.

Statement on Harassment

The SCS and its members seek to create an atmosphere at their annual conference in which participants may learn, network, and converse with colleagues in an environment of mutual respect. Everyone who attends the annual meeting is entitled to an experience that is free from harassment, bullying, and intimidation directed towards any attendee. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, such as unwelcome sexual advances, or other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature. Harassment also pertains to activities/behaviors such as stalking, queer/trans bullying, or hostility or abuse based on age, disability, religion, race or ethnicity. Such conduct is harmful, disrespectful and unprofessional. No attendee should under any circumstance engage in harassment, bullying, or intimidation of other attendees either in person or online. By attending the meeting, all participants accept the obligation to uphold the rights of attendees and treat everyone with respect. The SCS does not seek to limit the areas of inquiry of its members or to curtail robust scholarly debate. Its aim is to promote critical and open inquiry that is free of personal harassment, prejudice and aggression.

Members should be aware that they are bound by the codes of conduct at their home institutions. The SCS code does not supersede these workplace codes but is intended to reinforce their message.

In the event that a SCS attendee experiences harassment, bullying, or intimidation at the meeting that is inconsistent with the values articulated in the Society’s professional ethics statement, the attendee is encouraged to make a report in writing to the Vice President for Professional Matters. This report will remain confidential and will be shared only with the Professional Ethics Committee. The Vice President and the committee will work together to look into the reported behavior, to contact the person who has reported the behavior, and, if warranted, to contact the person about whom the complaint has been made.

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(Photo: "_DSC7061" by rhodesj, licensed under CC BY 2.0)