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 Respondent or Complainant, 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.