The BVHA supports #BeKind
Veterinary
leaders issue rallying call for colleagues to #BeKind
Officers
and senior staff of the leading veterinary and nursing bodies have published the following open letter to colleagues decrying the use of “derogatory and offensive
language” used in online vet forums.
In
the letter leaders accept the need for challenge and
criticism of their views and actions but warn against the use of personal
attacks that could prevent people from putting themselves forward for
leadership roles in the future.
The
letter, co-signed by representatives from BVA, RCVS, AVS, BSAVA, BVZS, BVNA,
SPVS, and VMG, suggests that such language “is wholly inappropriate and falls
far short of the expectations of professionals.” It notes with concern that
women, and people from minorities, often face the worst of it.
The
letter was coordinated by BVA President Daniella Dos Santos, whose presidential
theme is #VetDiversity.
An
open letter to our colleagues
We
are a mixture of volunteers and paid professionals, who give our time to lead
and support the veterinary professions, and we are extremely honoured to be
able to do so.
But
we are increasingly concerned about the tone of some of the debates that are
taking place in the veterinary world, particularly by the disparaging and
demeaning language used against us or our colleagues.
As
leaders in the professions, representing various different organisations, we
absolutely expect to receive criticism and challenge of the work we do. But the
right to criticise and challenge does not extend to the right to personally
attack us as individuals.
Some
of the most useful and informative discussions we have are those where our
views and actions are questioned with dignity and respect. But the use of
derogatory and offensive language to describe or refer to us as individuals is
simply not acceptable.
Personal
attacks and vilification could also make tomorrow’s leaders think twice before
putting their name forward for such roles and subjecting themselves to such
treatment by their peers. We might never know what a loss this could be for the
future direction and advancement of our professions.
This
behaviour is particularly prevalent in online forums, where closed groups and
computer screens seem to embolden members of our professions to use language
that is wholly inappropriate and which falls far short of the expectations of
professionals. As we have seen in the national political arena, we also note
with concern that it is often our female colleagues, and those from minorities,
who face the worst of it.
We
welcome challenge and debate. But please remember that it is possible to
disagree with a person or organisation without resorting to personal attacks.
Before posting online, please consider how this may be interpreted by the
recipient.
Our
professions are rightly focused on mental health and wellbeing, and the work of
the Mind Matters Initiative and Vetlife are excellent examples of what is being
done in this area.
#BeKind
extends to those in leadership positions too.
List
of signatories by organisation:
Katie
Roberts: AVS President
David
Charles: AVS Senior Vice President
Izzie
Arthur: AVS Junior Vice President
Susan
Paterson: BSAVA President
Phil
Lhermette: BSAVA Senior Vice President
Ian
Ramsey: BSAVA Vice President
Sheldon
Middleton: BSAVA Junior Vice President
David
Godfrey: BSAVA Hon Treasurer
Carl
Gorman: BSAVA Hon Secretary
Amanda
Stranack: BSAVA CEO
Daniella
Dos Santos: BVA President
Simon
Doherty: BVA Senior Vice President
James
Russell: BVA Junior Vice President
Kathleen
Robertson: BVA Scottish Branch President
Ifan
Lloyd: BVA Welsh Branch President
Susan
Cunningham: BVA Northern Ireland Branch President
David
Calpin: BVA CEO
Jo
Hinde: BVNA President
Wendy
Nevis: BVNA Senior Vice President
Jo
Oakden: BVNA Junior Vice President
Peter
Kettlewell: BVZS President
Liz
Mullineaux: BVZS Junior Vice President
Niall
Connell: RCVS President
Amanda
Boag: RCVS Senior Vice President
Mandisa
Greene: RCVS Junior Vice President
Kit
Sturgess: RCVS Treasurer
Lizzie
Lockett: RCVS CEO
Anna
Judson: SPVS President
Cat
Curtis: SPVS Senior Vice President
Nick
Lloyd: SPVS Junior Vice President
Nichola
Watson: SPVS CEO
Richard
Casey: VMG President
Gillian
A Page: VMG Senior Vice President
Georgina
Hills: VMG Junior Vice President
Miles
Russell: VMG Finance Director