Community Standards

Principles of Community

The Society of Family Planning (the Society) has a fundamental commitment to all persons being treated with dignity and respect, and to upholding the principles of the broadest forms of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our governance and programming. The Society is committed to ensuring community members, as well as third parties with whom members come into contact are protected from all forms of discrimination and harassment. The Society rejects as unethical all forms of discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, political party affiliation, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, or any other protected class as set forth under applicable state and federal civil rights laws. Sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual intimidation, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, stalking, and other forms of harassment impede us as individuals and as a professional community in fulfilling the mission of the Society. This Policy applies in the settings of Society programs and governance, including Board and Committee work, membership activities, grants, and conference attendance.

Policy

This Policy prohibits the following conduct, as well as attempts to commit and aiding or inciting others to commit these acts. Please note that these definitions are behavioral definitions, not legal or criminal definitions.

1. Inappropriate conduct: The term "inappropriate conduct" is broader than the definitions of harassment and sexual harassment listed below to include any comments or conduct that disparages or demonstrates hostility or aversion towards any person that could reasonably be perceived as disruptive, offensive, or inappropriate in the Society’s activities and is based upon power differentials between individuals and/or membership in protected classes (e.g., race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age and disability), either solely or through an intersection of more than one protected class.

2. Harassment: Unwelcome, deliberate, or repeated unsolicited verbal or physical conduct that is based upon membership in protected classes (e.g., race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age and disability).

3. Gender-based harassment: Gender-based harassment refers to acts of aggression, intimidation, stalking, or hostility based on gender, gender identity, or gender-stereotyping.

4. Race- ethnicity- or nationality-based harassment or discrimination: Race-, ethnicity-, or nationality- based harassment and discrimination involves treating someone unfavorably because they are of a certain race, ethnicity, or nationality; or because of personal characteristics associated with a race, ethnicity, or nationality (such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features). Examples may include: racial slurs, offensive or derogatory remarks, or the display of racially-offensive symbols.

5. Sexual assault or non-consensual sexual contact: Sexual assault and non-consensual sexual contact refer to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent.

6. Sexual exploitation: Sexual exploitation refers to non-consensual abuse or exploitation of another person’s sexuality for the purpose of sexual gratification, financial gain, personal benefit or advantage, or any other non-legitimate purpose.

7. Sexual harassment: A form of harassment that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or that occurs outside of employment but involves similar conduct. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature are examples of sexual harassment.

8. Sexual intimidation: Sexual intimidation refers to threatening behavior of sexual nature directed at another person or group that reasonably leads the individual(s) to fear for their physical well-being or to engage in sexual conduct for self protection, such as threatening to sexually assault another person or engaging in indecent exposure.

9. Stalking: Stalking refers to any course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to be fearful of serious harm or danger to themselves or to individuals close to them.

10. Retaliation: Retaliation refers to any act of intimidation against individuals who in good faith assert their rights to bring a complaint under this Policy, including individuals who file a third-person report, or participate in an investigation, or protest the alleged conduct or retaliation. Retaliation can take many forms, including sustained abuse or violence, threats, and intimidation. Any individual or group of individuals, not just a complainant or the accused, can be responsible for retaliation. Retaliation is considered a separate offense from the original complaint and will be considered independently from the merits of the underlying complaint.

Acknowledgment of Community Standards

By participating in any Society programs, you hereby acknowledge that you have read our Community Standards and will strive to uphold the specified expectations. You also acknowledge that the Society may impose sanctions and take remedial action, as a result of a finding of a policy violation. These standards extend to Society Board members, committee members, members, grantees, and anyone who attends our events. Our community standards apply to all venues during Society sponsored events, including ancillary events, and official and unofficial social gatherings.

Reporting process