Learner Mistreatment
The TMU School of Medicine is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe learning environment for all learners. Mistreatment, whether it happens in the classroom, clinical settings, or beyond, can significantly impact your well-being and ability to learn. This page explains what learner mistreatment is, how to recognize it, and how to access support if you've experienced or witnessed it.
If you experience mistreatment, confidential reporting and support is available to protect your rights and well-being. Reach out anytime.
What is Learner Mistreatment?
Learner mistreatment refers to disrespectful, unprofessional, or harmful behavior toward students that negatively impacts their well-being or learning environment. It can be intentional or unintentional, subtle or severe, a single incident or part of a pattern.
Mistreatment can come from anyone — including faculty, staff, peers, or patients — and may reflect broader systemic issues or individual actions.
Examples of Mistreatment
Mistreatment can take many forms. It includes, but is not limited to:
- Behavior that makes learners feel unsafe, unwelcome, or disrespected
- Verbal or emotional abuse, such as humiliation, belittling, or threats
- Stereotyping, slurs, or exclusion based on race, ethnicity, or culture
- Harassment, bias, or disrespect related to gender, sexuality, disability, religion, or other aspects of identity
- Unwanted sexual comments, jokes, gestures, or advances
- Physical mistreatment
- Unreasonable or punitive grading practices
- Ignoring or denying required academic accommodations or disability supports
- Publicly shaming learners for not knowing information or making mistakes
- Gossip, exclusion, or undermining behavior from fellow students that harms collaboration
- Harmful or discriminatory treatment by patients
- Retaliation for raising concerns or requesting support
What is Not Mistreatment?
Mistreatment is different from constructive feedback, fair accountability, or clear academic expectations — even when these are challenging to hear. Learning environments can and should hold high standards while remaining respectful, inclusive, and supportive.
Understanding the difference helps create a culture of growth and professionalism.
How to Disclose
You can disclose mistreatment in one of two ways:
You share your experience privately with the designated advisor in Learner Affairs. You’ll be contacted within 72 hours to set up a meeting (virtual or in person). In that meeting, you’ll be able to talk through what happened, explore available supports, and decide what next step, if any, you’d like to take.
No action will be taken without your consent, unless there’s a serious concern for your safety or the safety of others.
You can submit a disclosure without sharing your name or contact information. This option doesn’t allow for follow-up, but it helps the school identify patterns or systemic issues. If any action is taken, details will be shared in a way that protects your identity.
Anonymous disclosures are reviewed by the Learner Affairs Unit and stored securely. They are not traceable and do not trigger outreach.
Submit a Disclosure
If you’re ready to share your experience, use the link below to access the disclosure form. You’ll be asked whether you want to submit anonymously or confidentially.
What to Expect in a Conversation
If you choose to meet with the designated advisor in Learner Affairs, here’s what that conversation might involve:
- A safe, confidential space to share what happened, at your own pace
- An overview of your options for support, including academic or workplace accommodations, safety planning, and referrals to health or mental health services
- Information about academic considerations or leaves, if your experience has affected your ability to meet academic requirements
- Guidance on what to expect if you’re considering a formal complaint, with no pressure to decide
- A chance to ask questions, reflect, or choose not to take any further action
You’re in control. No steps will be taken without your consent, unless there’s a serious risk of harm or a legal obligation to act. If further steps are needed, you’ll be involved as much as possible, and each part of the process will be explained clearly.
The goal of this conversation is to make sure you feel informed, supported, and empowered, whatever you decide to do next.
The Learner Affairs Unit is here to support you with care, respect, and confidentiality.
Support
If you disclose mistreatment, you’re not alone. The designated advisor in Learner Affairs is here to:
- Provide a safe, trauma-informed space to share your experience
- Help you understand your options, including academic or workplace accommodations and referrals to health or mental health resources
- Guide you through possible next steps if you’re thinking about a formal complaint
- Connect you with academic considerations or leave options if needed
- Offer safety planning and link you to community supports when relevant
The School of Medicine does not tolerate retaliation. Learners who disclose mistreatment or participate in related processes are protected.
Wellbeing Support Resources
Access mental health and wellness resources designed specifically for learners, faculty, and staff. Support includes counselling, crisis assistance, and peer networks tailored to the medical education environment. For more information, please email the SoM Learner Affairs Team at somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca.
Learner Mistreatment Process Resources
We’re committed to supporting leaders, faculty, and staff involved in addressing mistreatment. Resources to guide reporting, response, and creating an inclusive learning environment are available. For more information, please email the SoM Learner Affairs Team at somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca.
Understanding Disclosures, Reports, and Complaints
- Disclosure: A private, non-investigative conversation where you share a concern to explore your options. Disclosures help you access support and do not trigger any formal action unless you choose to proceed.
- Mistreatment Report: A disclosure becomes a report when, with your consent, the advisor in Learner Affairs shares the concern with a decision-maker. Anonymous disclosures cannot receive follow-up but still help inform institutional improvements.
- Formal Complaint: A formal process between a named complainant and respondent, leading to an investigation to determine if University policy was breached. Formal complaints cannot be anonymous.
Why and How to Disclose
- To access support: Meet privately with the designated advisor in Learner Affairs and get connected to resources.
- To take action: Understand your options, clarify what happened, and make a plan.
- To contribute to change: Your disclosure helps improve the learning environment.
- Online Disclosure Form: Submit an anonymous, confidential, or third-party disclosure by accessing a disclosure form.
- The designated advisor in Learner Affairs: Reach out directly for confidential support and guidance at somlearnenv@torontomu.ca .
- TMU Faculty or Staff: You can share concerns with any trusted member of the academic community. Please note they may not be trained in the mistreatment process.
- TMU Support Offices: Including the Human Rights Office, Student Care Office, and CDSC.
Faculty, staff, or peers can share mistreatment they’ve witnessed. These can also be submitted anonymously or confidentially.
Yes. While meetings are confidential, exceptions apply if:
- If there’s a risk of harm to yourself or others
- If illegal activity is disclosed
- If the concern involves sexual violence, discrimination, harassment, or violations of the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct: these require a duty to report to the appropriate University office.
- You’ll meet with the designated advisor in Learner Affairs to review your options.
- No action will be taken without your consent.
- You may choose to pause, seek support, or move forward when ready.
- Emotional impact: Talking about an incident may bring up distress. Support is available.
- Privacy: Some faculty or staff may unintentionally share information. The designated advisor is better equipped to maintain confidentiality.
- Retaliation concerns: The designated advisor will help you assess risk and discuss ways to stay safe.
Working with the designated advisor in Learner Affairs
The designated advisor is a confidential, neutral resource who offers guidance, connects learners with support, and helps navigate disclosure options. They also collaborate across the University to foster a respectful learning environment.
The advisor will explain your rights and options, review resources, and support your next steps. Meetings are confidential and no action is taken without your permission.
Yes. You can bring a support person or attend as a group if disclosing collectively. Videoconferencing is available; in-person group meetings can be arranged when possible.
No. Meetings are not recorded to protect your privacy and create a safe, respectful space.
Support and Resources
Help is available through Counselling, Learner Affairs, Student Care, Human Rights Services, and other TMU services.
No. You don’t need to provide details or file a report to receive support. You can speak in general terms, ask questions, and move at your own pace.
Key policies include:
- Discrimination & Harassment Prevention Policy
- Sexual Violence Policy
- Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct
- Protocol for Defining and Reporting Mistreatment in Medical Education
- PGME Policy Governing Learner Mistreatment
- Policy on Standards of Professional Conduct for Students in the School of Medicine
- Standards and Procedures for Addressing Professional Conduct of Clinical Faculty Members in the School of Medicine
Process and Outcomes
- Some concerns are resolved in a single meeting
- Many are addressed within a month
- Complex or formal investigations may take several months
Yes, you’ll be informed if a policy breach is confirmed. Privacy laws may limit sharing some details, such as disciplinary outcomes.
Retaliation is any negative treatment resulting from your disclosure or participation, including intimidation, exclusion, or threats.
The designated advisor in Learner Affairs can help assess risk and plan ways to reduce it, including alternate timing or reporting options.
You may contact TMU’s Human Rights Services directly, or the designated advisor can refer you.
The designated advisor can explain your options, including TMU’s Sexual Violence Policy and external routes like police reporting. You can also contact the Human Rights Services.
Constructive feedback is part of learning and should be respectful. If it’s demeaning, shaming, or harmful, it may be mistreatment. See the “What is Learner Mistreatment?” section on this site.
No. Legal representation isn’t required. You may bring a support person to meetings.