Secondary Human Rights-Oct 2019
 
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November 2019
SNAPSHOT
HUMAN RIGHTS

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Everyone in Canada has human rights. You don’t have to be a citizen and it does not matter where you are from. Laws in Canada and in BC protect people from hateful speech, protect the right to political and religious beliefs, and the right to be free from sexual harassment.  

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the basis of human rights laws in Canada. In addition, there is federal and provincial legislation that protects human rights. Each province in Canada has its own laws that also build on the protection of the Charter of Rights and Freedom.
Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
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Fundamental Freedoms:
Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
freedom of conscience & religion
freedom of thought, belief, opinion & expression, including freedom of the press and other media
freedom of peaceful assembly freedom of association

Life, Liberty & Security of Person:
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
Search and Seizure:
Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure.
Detention or Imprisonment:
Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned
Arrest or Detention:
Everyone has the right on arrest or detention:
to be informed promptly of the reasons for arrest or detention.
to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be informed of that right.
to have the validity of the detention determined by way of habeas corpus
to be released if the detention is not lawful
Equality Before and Under Law and
Equal Protection and Benefit of Law:

Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability
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The BC Human Rights Code

The Human Rights Code is a law that prohibits discrimination for specific reasons. These grounds are race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation and age.    

The purpose of the Human Rights Code is to prevent discrimination, promote equality, and create a society in which all people can participate equally.  The Code also sets up a tribunal process for resolving complaints.
Discrimination and Harassment
To discriminate means to treat someone differently from other people in a way that is unfair.
Discrimination occurs when you treat people differently because of their personal characteristics and it affects them negatively.  Personal characteristics are things like:  age, race, religion, or gender.  When someone does this, they are breaking laws that are created to protect human rights.
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 Harassment is when a person is subjected to unwelcome comments (often repeatedly) or behavior that is insulting or demeaning.

IN BC IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST OR HARASS SOMEONE because of their: race, colour, ancestry, religion, marital status, family status, place of origin, physical or mental disability, sex (includes pregnancy, breastfeeding and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (19 and over), criminal conviction (in employment only), political belief (in employment only) or lawful source of income (in tenancy only)

 

 

 

The Difference between Rude, Mean, and Bullying Behaviours

 Rude, Mean and Bullying behaviours can all manifest in the following ways:
Physical Aggression: This kind of behavior includes hitting, punching, kicking, spitting, tripping, hair pulling etc. It can be the easiest aggression for intervention as it is often the most obvious and measurable.

Verbal Aggression: Verbal aggression can be as obvious as verbal threats or as subtle as whispers in the hall.
Relational Aggression: 
Conflict based on a youth using other peers in aggression, or the threat of losing friendships. 

Examples include social exclusion, shunning, hazing and rumour spreading.

Cyber-aggression: 
This is the willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.  Cyber-aggression can often be connected to Relational Aggression, as posts are re-posted and become very public.
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PEER CONFLICT

Conflict between and among peers is a natural part of growing up, and all individuals have times when they disagree and struggle to solve their own problems. A peer conflict typically involves youth who:
- usually choose to hang out with each other
  (same social group)
- have equal power
  (similar age, size, social status etc.)
- are both interested in a positive outcome
- are able to work out the conflict with help
Conflict typically starts with RUDE BEHAVIOUR– inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else, or a misinterpretation of statements or actions.

MEAN BEHAVIOURS are conflicts that involve unkind behaviours and appear to be intentional.
The main distinction between “rude” and “mean” behaviours has to do with intention:  while rudeness is often unintentional, mean behavior aims to hurt or humiliate someone. It can be impulsive, and is often motivated by perceived unfairness. Mean behavior is different from bullying, as it may have some but NOT ALL of the following components:
- an intent to harm
- a power imbalance
- repeated acts or threats of aggressive behavior
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BULLYING BEHAVIOUR has the three elements: 
- an intent to harm 
- a power imbalance 
- repeated acts or threats of aggressive behavior  

It is important to note that bullying is different from rude or mean behavior because it is done with a goal to hurt, harm or humiliate. With bullying, there is a power imbalance between those involved. Power can be defined as elevated social status, being physically larger, or as part of a group against an individual.

Students who bully perceive their target as vulnerable in some way and often find satisfaction in harming them.
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Resources

Greater Victoria School District Substance Use Philosophy and Goals
The Greater Victoria School District is committed to providing safe and healthy learning environments for all students. As part of our approach, we have been focusing on mental health and substance use topics to help us promote well-being in our schools.
Substance use is a complex topic that often highlights varied philosophies, myths, and a great deal of fear.
 The research shows us that early interventions, particularly around critical thinking and decision making, has an impact on delaying use in youth. As well, open dialogue with adults, intentionality around attachment, and a focus on the factors that contribute to substance use, as opposed to the actual substances, also prevent, delay and reduce substance use in our students.
Our goal is to create a more cohesive, systematized substance use plan focusing on social emotional learning, that includes our youth and schools, community partners, and families. We strive for a shared vision, common language and consistent messaging over time, in order to support positive youth culture and a healthy perspective on substance use and mental health.
The legal age in B.C for consumption of alcohol and cannabis is 19 years old.
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