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Last Updated on 03-09-2025
Single Comprehensive Source of Information (SCSI) on Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
Overview
- At Beacon International College (Beacon), we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students and staff.
- Beacon
- upholds the principles of dignity and respect by enforcing a strict zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, including sexual misconduct.
- has clear procedures in place for reporting any incidents confidentially and without fear of retaliation.
- takes all complaints are taken seriously and addresses promptly through fair and transparent processes.
- is dedicated to ensuring that everyone feels valued, protected, and empowered to speak up against inappropriate behaviour.
- On the other hand, Beacon also strives to achieve a balance between freedom of speech and academic freedom, and harassment. Course materials and lawful academic discourse related to course content are presumed not to constitute harassment.
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What is Harassment?
- Under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) 2014 in Singapore,
- Intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress
- Harassment, alarm or distress
- Fear, provocation or facilitation of violence
- Unlawful Stalking causing harassment, alarm or distress the target person or any other person (known as victim(s)).
- Harassment can be physical, verbal, sexual, emotional or mental. It can be communicated via words, images, sounds or symbols in any way. It can also be done directly or heard, seen or perceived to be done by the victim. It can be about age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, The consequence of such action / behaviour lead to harassment, alarm or distress to the victim.
- Examples:
- use any threatening, abusive or insulting words / communication, or behaviour.
- publish any identity information* of the target person or a related person of the target person,
- use or perceived of unlawful violence
- involved acts or omissions associated with stalking (e.g. following victim, loitering around the victim’s home, office or places frequented by the victim or related person, keeping the victim under surveillance)*Includes (a) the victim’s name, residential address, email address, telephone number, date of birth, national registration identity card number, passport number, signature (whether handwritten or electronic) or password; (b) any photograph or video recording of the individual; (c) any information about the individual’s family, employment or Education.
- Test (for students only):
Whether conduct is considered as ‘harassment’, Beacon will consider:
- The perception of the victim who is at the receiving end of the conduct This is a subjective test and depends on whether the person regard the conduct as violating his / her dignity or creating an intimidating environment for him / her.
- The other circumstances of the case Beacon will consider relevant circumstances of the case. This can include the personal circumstances of the victim, his / her health (including mental health), mental capacity; cultural norms; or previous experience of harassment.
- Whether it is reasonable for the conduct to have that effect.
- Under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) 2014 in Singapore,
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What is Sexual Misconduct?
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- In Singapore, sexual harassment is covered under the POHA while sexual offences are covered under the Penal Code 1871
- Examples:
Sexual violence and misconduct mean any unwanted sexual behaviour. It includes,
- Rape
- Sexual assault involving penetration
- Word or gesture intended to insult modesty of any person
- Voyeurism
- Distribution of Voyeuristic image or recording
- Possession of or gaining access to voyeuristic or intimate image or recording
- Distributing or threatening to distribute intimate image or recording
- Sexual exposure
- “Student” includes current students.
- “Staff” includes employees and contractors (or external service providers, e.g. agents, part-time teachers, vendors, and visitors).
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- Staff shall not date a current Beacon student. Staff shall avoid developing romantic, emotional and / or physical intimacy with students. Staff shall not exploit a position of power in relation to a student so as to apply pressure in a way which:
- may result in the student doing something, or refraining from doing something, that they may not have otherwise done; and
- that action or inaction could reasonably result in something that falls within the scope of an intimate personal relationship*.
*”intimate personal relationship” means a relationship that involves one or more of the following elements – physical intimacy including isolated or repeated sexual activity, or romantic or emotional intimacy.
- Staff and students shall declare excluded relationships* prior to joining Beacon as staff or students.
*”Excluded relationships” means any ongoing intimate relationship that existed before the date that the staff became a relevant staff member who has direct academic responsibilities or other direct professional responsibilities in relation to that student. - Beacon shall ensure that staff and students are appropriately informed during orientation to ensure understanding of the contents of SCSI which is found on Beacon’s website.
- Beacon shall communicate to students and staff in writing at least once a calendar year on the existence of SCSI on the website. A clear and easy to understand statement pointing to the SCSI shall be set out in marketing brochures (for students), in handbooks, and other relevant channels of communication.
- Beacon is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students and staff. Harassment, bullying, and sexual misconduct are not tolerated.
- If you are a victim (students, staff and any other person) or a bystander (you know someone who is a victim), you are encouraged to report any incidents of harassment and / or sexual misconduct within 3 months of the incident taking place to allow for the more effective investigation to take place. Any report made after 3 months will still be taken seriously and where possible reasonable attempts will be made to obtain the relevant information to determine the appropriate response.
- Any reporting against a visitor will be investigated within the capabilities of Beacon. As certain actions are outside the control of Beacon, Beacon has limited ability to act against a visitor but will fully support you who experience any form of unacceptable behaviour, harassment or sexual misconduct and will act where this is appropriate and available.
- Reporting can be done through the following channels:
- Sharing with a Staff
- At first, you may be unsure of what to make of the situation and/or would just like to have a listening ear. You can approach your personal tutor or the student services staff for advice and counsel on your next possible steps.
- If you are a student, you can share your experience in a safe and private setting with our counsellor. Appointments can be made via email to counselling@beacon.edu.sg. The counsellor will then advise on possible reporting options.
- If you are a staff, you can share your experience with your supervisor or HR.
- Do note that this level of disclosure is not considered as formal feedback.
- Formal Feedback
- Following advice from the staff, you may decide to make formal feedback to Beacon via email at feedback@beacon.sg. Your feedback can be made anytime. Your feedback will be acknowledged within 3 working days and Beacon endeavours to resolve the feedback within 21 working days and during the period of investigation, provides a series of updates to you.
- A staff will guide you through the reporting process, which includes providing details for an official report or disciplinary complaint. Once submitted, investigations will begin.
- Reviewing the facts of the case, Beacon will consider if there was a breach of the POHA, Penal Code and / or Student Code of Conduct.
- The outcome of an investigation to the report will determine if any further action will be taken, if so, the appropriate disciplinary process to follow.
- Anonymous reports are also accepted, though follow-up may not be possible. Regardless, your report will help Beacon to address important issues and maintain a safe community.
- Reporting to the Police
- After seeking advice and much consideration, you may choose to file an official police report. The police have trained officers, experienced in helping survivors of different forms of harassment.
- A police report entails investigations and possible prosecution of the perpetrator under the laws of Singapore.
- You can make a police report by calling 999.
- In an emergency, where there is an immediate risk to life or a threat of violence, call 999.
- Summary in a table for Internal Reporting
- Sharing with a Staff
Reporting Party | Informal Reporting to | Formal Reporting | Support | |
Identified | Anonymous | |||
Student (victim / bystander) | · Personal Tutor · Student Services Staff · Counsellor | Feedback Management System | Feedback Management System (Anonymous reports are also accepted, though follow-up may not be possible.) | Student Services Counsellor Management Team |
Staff (victim / bystander) | · Supervisor · HR Staff | Management Team | ||
- Beacon is committed to ensuring that all information collected will be handled seriously, sensitively, confidentially, and used fairly and that investigations undertaken and decisions made are credible, fair and reflect established principles of natural justice.
- Beacon shall ensure that all personal data collected will be handled according to Singapore’s Protection Data Protection Act 2012. NO non-disclosure or restricting provisions or agreements will be used to prevent or restrict any victim from disclosing information about an allegation of harassment and/or sexual misconduct to any other person.
- Experiencing harassment or sexual misconduct can be a painful and difficult experience. You may be feeling many different emotions, such as fear, shame or betrayal. These feelings are valid, and you don’t have to struggle alone. Sharing what happened and journeying with a trusted person can help you get through your experiences.
- Both the victim and actual / alleged perpetrators have the right to access wellbeing support during formal processes which can include counselling, decisions on attendance, continuation, suspension or cessation of study / employment / engagement.
- The following are the external support resources:
- National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) – 1800-777-0000.
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) – 1-767.
- Institute of Mental Health – 6389-2222.
- https://www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Crime/Sexual-Crime
- Staff handling incidents of harassment and / or sexual misconduct shall be appropriately trained to have and maintain:
- up-to-date understanding of the content of the SCSI
- up-to-date understanding of behaviour that may constitute harassment and/or sexual misconduct
- the required knowledge and skills to support students who:
- wish to make allegations or complaints about harassment and/or sexual misconduct;
- have alleged and/or experienced incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct; and
- are the actual or alleged perpetrators of incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct; and
- the required knowledge and skills to undertake investigations or make decisions in relation to incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct.
- Beacon will review this policy at least once a year. Feedback from stakeholders will be sought and incorporated.
- Beacon will also review the effectiveness of this policy using relevant data to identify areas for improvement.
