John Abbott College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Policy No 4 - Concerning Psychological Harassment, Abuse of Power and Violence

All members of the College community have the right to study, work and learn in an atmosphere which is free of harassment of any kind, abuse of power or violence. To ensure such freedoms, John Abbott College has adopted this policy which delineates the parameters and procedures for preventing undesirable behaviour and dealing with it if it should occur. The College considers harassment of any kind, abuse of power and violence to be a serious offence. It infringes on fundamental human rights and undermines personal dignity and integrity. These behaviours interfere with the work, study and academic environment of the College. Members of the College community are encouraged to take appropriate action if they witness harassing behavior of any kind:

4.2 Harassment is discriminatory where it is based on one of the criteria enumerated under section 10 of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, namely race, colour, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, civil status, age except in the manner permitted by law, religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, a handicap or the use of any means to palliate a handicap.

4.3 Psychological harassment means any vexatious behaviour in the form of repeated and hostile or unwanted conduct, verbal comments, actions or gestures that affects an individual’s or student’s dignity or psychological or physical integrity and that result in a harmful work or study environment for the individual or student. A single serious incidence of such behaviour that has a lasting harmful effect on an employee may also constitute psychological harassment.

4.4 Psychological harassment can be illustrated by the following kinds of conduct, such as 4.4.1 disrespect, contempt, condescending attitudes, and the refusal to share information; 4.4.2 verbal or gestural insults, yelling, lashing out at, blackmailing, pressure tactics; 4.4.3 razzing, humiliation, whether in private or in public; 4.4.4 degrading propositions.

4.5 Psychological harassment can also manifest itself in gestures, acts, or words which are repeatedly inflicted on an individual by other individuals (mobbing).

4.6 Abuse of power or abuse of authority consists of using power or authority conferred by position, in an inappropriate and illegitimate manner, which compromises the employment or the learning of an individual, and which harms or prevents their work or study. Abuse of power or authority can take the form of acts, threats, or insinuations by a person in a position of power or authority, which negatively affects the work or study conditions of an employee or a student. Bullying constitutes an abuse of power, as does the attempt to inflict stress upon a person by placing them in a situation with the objective of displaying their weaknesses. The threat of dismissal, layoff, refusal to renew the employment contract, demotion, transfer, the loss of work-related privileges or important modifications thereto without a just reason, all constitute an abuse of power. The threat of manipulating student grades constitutes an abuse of power.
https://www.johnabbott.qc.ca/the-college/official-documents/

The Harassment Awareness Committee is composed of the Coordinator of Human Resources Services, who will chair the committee, and two representatives from each of the following segments of the College population: students, faculty, professionals, administrative support personnel and administrators. The representatives from each segment should be of different genders when this is possible. If it is not possible, each segment can nominate two members of the same gender. They will be appointed by their respective associations and/or unions for a renewable term of one year. This appointment will be made no later than the first of September each year. The Resource Persons are ex-officio members on the Committee.
All complaints must remain confidential between all parties involved as long as the investigation is on-going and the appropriate and formal recommendations have not been implemented. The College will provide guidance and assistance throughout the reporting/complaint procedure; support people are available to assist individuals impacted by discriminatory experiences and behaviours and they are able to provide appropriate referrals to support resources, including: the Employee Assistance Program, the Mental Wellness Support Program (keep.meSafe), Community Resources, and the sharing of resource lists. Students seeking support can also consult the professional counselling services provided free and confidentially through Student Services at the College. The College will take reasonable measures to assist victims, as well as those accused of violence, discrimination, harassment or the abuse of power, to re-establish their physical or psychological integrity and reintegrate them to the workplace or to their studies.

Transition program for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students Springboard to a DCS.
Crossroads (081.CR) is a two-semester (fall and winter) program open only to students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Crossroads is a welcoming and culturally relevant program, a close-knit community that provides stability through shared Indigenous cultural spaces and practices. The program offers students an environment in which to ease into college life, acquire the pre-requisites and develop the necessary academic skills to enter their program of choice. Crossroads’ five core courses are open to Indigenous student enrolment only. This programming, developed and taught by a collaborative team of culturally aware and diverse faculty and staff, cultivates a personalized educational pathway for each student. As well as the Crossroads’ courses, students will take any missing pre-requisites and/or introductory courses in a program of their choice.

The Indigenous Student Resource Centre’s friendly and knowledgeable staff supports the aspirations of the students through a range of activities and services such as academic support, tutoring, career counseling, organized social activities and workshops. Working in collaboration with Indigenous communities and institutions including the Cree School Board and Kativik School Board postsecondary student services, the Indigenous Student Resource Centre develops programs and provides services that address the unique needs of Indigenous students.
Teachers and other community members of the college are also welcome to visit the Indigenous Student Resource Centre to gather information and access a wealth of Indigenous literature for classroom and cultural enrichment purposes.