Learner Mistreatment
Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) reaffirms its commitment to supporting CSM members involved in mistreatment. Our goal is fostering a culture of respect, with a focus on preventing mistreatment and upholding accountability.
For imminent or life-threatening situations, call 911. In situations where you feel unsafe call Campus Security at 403.220.5333
What is Mistreatment, Misconduct and Harassment?
Mistreatment as adopted from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) definition, is intentional or unintentional behavior that disrespects the dignity of others and compromises the learning and working environment. Mistreatment can involve a single incident or a pattern of behavior.
Misconduct is actions and behaviour that go against the Cumming School of Medicine Professional Standards or University of Calgary Code of Conduct.
Harassment is defined by the Harassment Policy, summarised as:
"i. unwelcome and inappropriate verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct, or coercive behaviour, and is based on a Protected Ground; or not based on a Protected Ground (Personal Harassment). It includes:
i. misuse or abuse of power having the effect or purpose of significantly abusing, threatening, demeaning or intimidating
ii. such conduct that has the purpose or effect of significantly interfering with work or educational performance; or
iii. such conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, living or educational environment."
Categories of Mistreatment
| General Mistreatment | refers to public humiliation, disrespectful behaviour, threatening harm, physical harm or inappropriate favours. |
|---|---|
| Sexual Mistreatment | refers to a range of behaviours including, but not limited to, sexist remarks/assumptions, denied opportunities, unwanted sexual touch to rape or soliciting, coercing and/or requesting sexual acts in exchange for opportunities to advance professionally. |
| Mistreatment involving racist, xenophobic and/or anti-Indigenous language or behaviour | refers to denied opportunities, subjection to offensive terms/names, lower evaluation or offensive remarks about religion, culture and/or Indigeneity. |
| Sexual orientation/gender identity mistreatment | refers to denied opportunities, subjection to offensive terms/names, lower evaluation or offensive remarks about sexual orientation and/or gender identity. |
| Ableist mistreatment | refers to denied opportunities, subjection to offensive terms/names, lower evaluation or offensive remarks about physical, psychological, visible and/or invisible disabilities. |
Reporting Mistreatment
Students, learners and trainees within the University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine's programs are entitled to a safe and supportive learning environment. If you have been subject to mistreatment, have witnessed mistreatment in the learning environment or if you have questions about what constitutes mistreatment, we recommend the following steps:
1. Leave the situation. For imminent or life-threatening situations, call 911. In situations where you feel unsafe call Campus Security at 403.220.5333.
2. Talk to someone you trust about what has happened immediately or at any time after. Sharing your experience with someone you trust can help you feel supported, organize your thoughts and determine the next step that you’d like to take. Disclosing your experience to others does not preclude you from submitting a concern to CSM.
3. Document what happened from your perspective, in as much detail as possible, as early as possible. This is helpful whether or not you plan to report the incident at this time.
4. Submit a concern to the Cumming School of Medicine through a written report or though a phone call.
Please note: Learners who have witnessed another learner being mistreated can also report using the resources above.