Campus Services

Gender based and sexual violence is any violence, physical or psychological, that is committed, threatened, or attempted against another individual without the individual’s consent by targeting gender, gender identity, or gender expression, including but not limited to sexist, homophobic, and/or transphobic comments, jokes, and images.

Consent is a voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual behavior or activity, given either before or during the activity.

Consent is a clear, ongoing agreement to participate in the sexual activity in question, requiring an enthusiastic "yes" from everyone involved, not just the absence of "no," and can be withdrawn at any time.

Consent cannot be obtained through the abuse of a position of power, trust, or authority and cannot be given on behalf of another person.

A person can withdraw consent at any point during the activity, and such withdrawal must be respected; however, withdrawing consent does not retroactively undo an activity that has already taken place.

Learn more about consent here.

If someone discloses sexual assault or abuse, they consider you someone they can trust. You do not have to have all the answers. A supportive first response makes it more likely that someone will seek out additional help.

There are many ways you can offer support such as:

• Be patient with them and listen. It is important that you don’t judge them or try to tell them what they should do.
• Explain limits to confidentiality. If the assault happened on campus or it involves a minor (under 17) you may need to share the information with other parties. 
• Tell them you believe them and it’s not their fault.
• Value their boundaries, don’t try to force them to talk about details they haven’t chosen to share.
• Support them in identifying their options for reporting/making a complaint and listen to their decisions. If you are unsure of reporting options refer to resources on this website. Remember, individuals may choose not to report to the police or make a complaint to the college. It is important to respect their choices.
• Offer to assist them in seeking help with their well-being if that is what they are needing (doctor, counselling, advocacy).
• Check in with them after the event.
• Take care of yourself. Hearing a disclosure can be emotionally hard. It's ok to seek your own supports.

The It Takes ALL of Us training is an excellent resource for information on hearing a disclosure. Learn more below.

You have the right to decide whether or not to report sexual violence. Regardless of the option you choose, sexual violence support and education is available to you to support your recovery and healing journey.

A Disclosure may be made to Mental Health and counselling, campus doctor, Manger student conduct, or any other trusted campus professional for the purpose of receiving support and referrals, without filing a Complaint with Medicine Hat College. These are private and confidential options, whereby Medicine Hat College is not aware of the occurrence, and the individual still retains the ability to file a Complaint at a later date with Medicine Hat College if they wish to do so. A disclosure here does not initiate a complaint by the individual who has experienced Sexual or Gender Based Violence. Refer to SD 4.1 GENDER BASED AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT AND DISCLOSURE

The decision to file a complaint is the choice of the person who has experienced Sexual Violence. A Complainant has the right to subsequently withdraw a Complaint at any time. If a Complaint is withdrawn, Medicine Hat College supports are still available. Medicine Hat College may continue the investigation in the absence of a Complaint or if a Complaint is withdrawn, once it is made aware of an alleged Misconduct. Refer to SD 4.2 GENDER BASED AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE COMPLAINTS Procedure. There is no time limit for filing a Sexual Violence Complaint.

When the individual who has experienced Sexual Violence wishes, they may report to the police, file a civil lawsuit at the appropriate courthouse, make a complaint to the Alberta Human Rights Commission or report a violation pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, or make a report to any other applicable external body in the circumstances. The individual is also encouraged to report the matter to the College after filing any such report. The College will report the matter to Police Services in circumstances of imminent risk of harm to self or others or to public safety.

Individuals who wish to make a disclosure without identifying themselves to Medicine Hat College can do so through a third-party advocate or by calling the MHC Confidential Gender Based and Sexual Violence Disclosure Line at 403.502.8447. Individuals considering making an anonymous disclosure should be aware that if inadequate information is provided the disclosure may not lead to an investigation if it cannot be carried out fairly and effectively.

Call the anonymous third-party reporting line: 403-502-8447