SEXUAL AND OTHER HARASSMENT POLICY
INTEGRAL YOGA MINISTRY 11.18.25
Objective:
The purpose of this policy is to provide a positive environment for ministers, seminarians, staff,
volunteers, and guests, one that reflects the spiritual values of the Integral Yoga Satchidananda
VA organizations. Ministers and seminarians are expected to create and maintain a safe and
sacred environment free of any type of harassment. Furthermore, our Harassment/Sexual
Harassment Policy educates in how to prevent harassment, and it provides procedures for the
prompt and thorough investigation of harassment claims in order to ensure that violations are
remedied immediately and fully.
Scope:
This policy applies to all ministers and seminarians and their interactions with employees,
independent contractors, volunteers, staff, presenters, students, and guests. The
Harassment/Sexual Harassment Policy as it pertains to ministers and seminarians will be
administered by the Ministry Board.
Policy Statement:
With the goal of creating and maintaining an environment that fosters healing and personal
growth, it is the policy of Integral Yoga Ministry that no one should be harassed on the basis of
race, religious creed, ethnic background, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or
disability. Such conduct is unacceptable, as is retaliation against anyone who has made a
complaint regarding such conduct or who has cooperated with an investigation into allegations of
harassment. We take complaints of harassment seriously. Our zero-tolerance policy for
violations means that in every instance of harassment all parties involved will be responded to
within 30 days, recognizing that investigations may take longer.
Violation of this policy will involve appropriate consequences.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination and is defined as any unwelcome sexual
advances or coercion for sexual favors, unwanted touching, or any conduct of a sexual nature
when:
- Submission to requests is made as a condition of employment or pre-requisite for
ministerial services, either explicitly or implicitly, or when rejection of such advances is used
negatively as a basis for any decision. This applies to paid employees or volunteers.
- Such advances or coercion has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s
work performance, or feelings of safety or participation in Ministry programs, by creating an
intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or offensive work environment
While sexual harassment encompasses a wide range of conduct, some examples of specifically
prohibited conduct include but are not limited to:
a. unwanted sexual advances whether or not they involve physical touching;
b. sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding
an individual’s sex life, comments on an individual’s body, or comments about an
individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess;
c. sexual or discriminatory displays or publications linked to any minister or seminarian
activity, including but not limited to sexually suggestive objects, pictures, videos or
cartoons;
d. unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, and
suggestive or insulting comments;
e. unsolicited inquiries into an individual’s sexual experiences;
f. unwelcome discussion of an individual’s sexual activities.
Discipline
Any individual within the scope of this policy who violates this policy is subject to appropriate
discipline. If an investigation leads to a finding that this policy has been violated, the individual
who has violated the policy will face disciplinary action up to and including discharge. Persons
who violate this policy may also be subject to civil damages or criminal penalties.
Procedures
Employees, Volunteers, Students, and Guests
Anyone, including ministers, seminarians, those who participate in ministerial services and
activities, employees, volunteers, students, or guests who believes that he or she has been
subjected to sexual or any form of harassment or any unwanted sexual attention from a minister
or seminarian should:
● keep a written record of the date, time, and nature of the incident(s) and include the
names of any witnesses:
● report the incident to the Ministry Board.
Please note:
● All incidents of sexual or any form of harassment or inappropriate sexual conduct should
be reported to the Ministry Board.
● All Integral Yoga organizations, including the ministry, must create an environment in
which all persons feel safe and comfortable in reporting such an incident.
● Board members, ministers and seminarians who knowingly allow or tolerate sexual
harassment are in violation of this policy and will be subjected to disciplinarian actions
and/or potential removal.
● Publicizing information about alleged harassment or filing a reckless or frivolous
complaint will be considered misconduct, and the individual committing such acts will be
subject to disciplinary or corrective action.
Ministry Board
The board is responsible for:
● Providing the complainant with the necessary forms to file a complaint with the
Standards and Disciplinary Committee (SDC) and return the form within 14 days.
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● After receiving the complaint, the SDC will pursue an investigation within 30 days.
● Recommendations for resolution will be provided to the complainant and the accused.
● Potential actions may include mediation and exploring other means of resolving sexual
harassment complaints.
● The SDC will provide a thorough report of the investigation to the board for advisory
input.
● The accused can request an appeal as long as they have additional information to support
the appeal.
Filing a Complaint
Anyone who believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment may file a
complaint with the Ministry Board. Complaints should be filed as soon as possible following the
incident of alleged harassment/sexual harassment. Any question regarding this policy or about a
specific situation should be brought to the Ministry Board.
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