The Human Rights Office (HRO) is an independent and impartial office responsible for receiving and responding to complaints related to harassment and discrimination from all University community members. All our services are free, bilingual, and confidential (except in exceptional circumstances, such as when someone is at risk of harm, or we have a legal obligation to take action).
Our advisors can offer expert advice to an individual, a department or a faculty, in response to a specific situation, and can also intervene (in co-ordination with University partners). They receive and process informal and formal complaints, as well as organize and participate in information, training and awareness activities.
If you or someone you know is dealing with discrimination or harassment, please contact us at [email protected] or visit our to report the incident.
About Harassment and Discrimination
All University community members have a right to a learning and workplace environment that is respectful, safe and free from harassment and discrimination.
The Human Rights Office
What is harassment?
Harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comments or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. A single unwelcome incident, if serious enough, can be sufficient to support an instance of harassment.
Here are some examples of harassment:
- Intimidating or aggressive behaviour
- Using derogatory or offensive names to insult or belittle someone (name-calling)
- Insults or offensive jokes
- Repeatedly belittling or demeaning someone鈥檚 abilities, appearance or ideas in a harmful manner
- Spreading rumours
- Posting inflammatory or offensive comments online to provoke others
- Verbally threatening someone with harm, whether physical or emotional
- Physically preventing someone from leaving a space or obstructing their movement
Harassment can also include sexual harassment and unwanted touching. If you need more information or support related to sexual harassment, or to sexual or gendered-based violence, please visit our section on support for those experiencing sexual violence or contact us.