Anti-Harassment Policy

As a social justice organization, the SSSP is committed to creating a safe and welcoming space at the annual meeting for the free exchange of ideas and professional development; an environment free from harassment based on, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, age, disability, health conditions, sexual orientation, religion, language, socioeconomic status, marital status, domestic status, or parental status.  This includes the harassment of colleagues, students, guests, SSSP and hotel staff, vendors, exhibitors, and others present at the annual meeting.  To that end, we ask you to help us to make it very clear that anyone engaging in this kind of behavior is not welcomed at the annual meeting.

The Society for the Study of Social Problems is committed to the eradication of discrimination (both intentional and unintentional), harassment, intimidation, and violence directed at individuals and groups based on, but not limited to, race and ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality and immigrant status, ability, and religion. Offensive and prohibited conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets, name calling, physical assaults and threats, unwanted touching and persistent unwanted attention and invasion of personal space, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, and insults and put-downs. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is engaged in without clear affirmative consent. Discriminatory and harassing actions are prohibited both when they are directed at specific individuals and groups and when they create a hostile environment.

Sexual harassment and sexual assault disproportionately target people subject to structural oppression: women; people of color; trans, and gender non-conforming individuals; and disabled people, although anyone can be a victim.

Whenever and wherever possible, the Society will affirm this commitment to publicly and explicitly combat racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. As an organization dedicated to social justice, the Society will take very seriously, reports, formal or informal, of harassment or discrimination in the organization and at annual and other Society meetings. To the greatest degree possible, the Society will do what it can to respond appropriately to those who violate our policies and to protect victims and potential victims, from being subjected to this type of unwanted and offensive behavior. We will make every effort to ensure that this commitment is manifest in the policies, programs, and practices of the organization, including in the public positions the SSSP takes on issues, both national and international. SSSP expressly prohibits retaliation against individuals who report harassment and will take action against those who retaliate.

This policy addresses harassment that involves SSSP members in general and includes specific guidelines for harassment that occurs at SSSP annual meetings, events (virtual or in-person), email and phone communications regarding SSSP business, and on SSSP social media platforms.

When posts on SSSP accounts are flagged within the platform by other SSSP members, the administrative office will take down such posts and send them to the Anti-Harassment Committee for review and follow-up, which may include the resolutions, outcomes, and possible sanctions outlined in the Anti-Harassment Policy, or other responses deemed appropriate by the Committee. To this end, we encourage SSSP members to be mindful when posting to SSSP social media accounts and consider the ways people different from them might interpret their messages.

By joining SSSP, members of SSSP agree to comply with this policy.

View the SSSP’s Anti-Harassment Policy in its entirety here.

Click here if you would like to make an ANONYMOUS report regarding behavior that violates the anti-harassment policy. See the policy to make a formal report and additional reporting options.