Report A Mistreatment Concern

This mistreatment concern reporting form serves as a safe method to report the experience or witnessing of mistreatment/discrimination. It supports all members of the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) community, including learners, faculty, staff, and volunteers.

Responses go to the confidential email address of the CSM Precision Equity and Social Justice Office (PESJO, formerly Office of Professionalism, Equity and Diversity/OPED) for review and/or action by the Associate Dean, PESJO. All reports are responded to as soon as possible.

The process triggered by this form is meant to complement the University of Calgary Procedure for Protected Disclosure, Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy, and the University of Calgary Harassment Policy. It provides a structured alternate reporting mechanism for concerns of mistreatment that either:

• don't meet the threshhold of a "protected disclosure" as set out by the above policies,
• or for when the reporter prefers an alternate reporting mechanism.

Mistreatment: Intentional or unintentional behaviour that disrespects the dignity of others. Mistreatment can involve a single incident or a pattern of behaviour and can range from subtle gestures/comments to egregious actions. Mistreatment may include making remarks of an intimidating or discriminatory nature. Any behaviour involving mistreatment of another person compromises the learning and working environment. 

Discrimination: An action, policy, practice, or decision that has a negative effect on an individual or group and is related to certain characteristics such as race, age, disability, gender, religious beliefs, family status or sexual orientation. The behaviour may or may not be intentional. The Alberta Human Rights Act protects individuals from discrimination based on one or more protected grounds.

Definitions from Ruzycki, 2023.

With your consent, examples of possible PESJO responses to reports filed can include help with:

• being there to listen to mistreatment concerns
• providing/referring to supports, resources, and accommodations
• mediation with affected parties
• understanding what other/formal reporting options and rights are available
• navigating access to formal reporting procedures.

Please refer to the button below for a flowchart illustrating the mistreatment reporting process.

The process triggered by this form is meant to complement the University of Calgary Procedure for Protected Disclosure, Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy, and the University of Calgary Harassment Policy. It provides a structured alternate, informal reporting mechanism for concerns of mistreatment that either:

• don't meet the threshhold of a "protected disclosure" as set out by the above policies,
• or for when the reporter prefers an alternate reporting mechanism.

This process supports informal resolutions. Unlike formal procedures such as Protected Disclosure and Student Non-Academic Misconduct, informal resolutions do not automatically trigger University of Calgary investigation processes.

Submissions are confidential; names or contact information are not required when submitting this form. However, please note that anonymous reports may limit the ability of the office to assess or respond.

Limits to confidentiality are exceptional circumstances where PESJO/CSM/University of Calgary may need to act urgently on a report without first obtaining consent. Limits to confidentiality will be discussed with any person reporting a concern, and include when there is:

• an imminent risk of harm to self or others
• a risk of harm to someone aged less than 18 years old,
• sexual violence committed by a regulated healthcare professional
• occupational health and safety considerations
• another legal/regulatory/university obligation to act (e.g., College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta)

Safety, prevention, care and fairness are at the centre of this mistreatment reporting process. The supports and actions available from this processs are based on:

• consent
• equity, diversity, and inclusion
• principles of restorative justice
• trauma-informed approaches
• intersectional and anti-oppressive lenses.

PESJO's mistreatment reporting is one of many available options to University of Calgary community members. For a list of other reporting options, please click here. People are encouraged to reach out to wherever they feel most comfortable.