Sexual harassment and sexualized violence
Equal Opportunity Office
Sexual harassment and sexualized violence are not tolerated ot trivialized at our university!
Sexual harassment and sexualized violence are problems, largely taboo and often underestimated, across all areas of society. According to empirical studies, it is predominantly women who are affected. The study “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (EU project at universities) shows that more than half of the female students surveyed (55%) experienced sexual harassment during their studies [1]. The UniSAFE project (2021-2024), which investigated gender-based violence and sexual harassment at 46 European universities and research institutions, also shows that among the students and staff surveyed, women in particular (45%) stated that they had experienced gender-based violence (men: 23%). The most common forms were sexual harassment, lewd comments and unwanted touching. According to the UniSAFE study, LGBTQIA+ and international students and researchers are particularly vulnerable [2].
Higher education institutions, as workplaces and centers of learning, are unfortunately no exception to this rule. Sexual harassment and sexualized violence are a particular problem for students, doctoral candidates, apprentices and trainees, as they have few options for defending themselves due to the relationships of dependency and hierarchical disparities that often exist in education situations. Employees and professors can also be affected by sexual assault.
Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is aware of its social responsibility as a center of learning and an employer. In cooperation with Frauenberatungsstelle Osnabrück and coordinated by Equal Opportunity Office (Gleichstellungsbüro), the university offers the following options to help those dealing with sexual harassment and sexualized violence:
- Counseling in case of sexual harassment and sexualized violence for all persons affiliated with the university (regardless of gender)
- Raising awareness among all status groups at the university through candid continuing education seminars designed for specific target groups
- Coaching/organizational counseling for affected organizational units and managers there
- Development of guidelines for handling sexual harassment and sexualized violence at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
Counseling - contact information
If you wish, you can receive counseling anonymously. Counseling is free of charge for everyone at the university and is open to all genders. The external specialist is independent of the university structures and hierarchies and is bound to confidentiality. A personal appointment in Lingen is possible on request.
Phone: +49 173 9619298 (we will call you back as soon as possible)
E-mail: hilfe-bei-belaestigung@hs-osnabrueck.de
Important note: You cannot reach the Equal Opportunities Office at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences using the contact details above. You can find the contact details of the University's Equal Opportunities Office (Gleichstellungsbüro) on our team page.
Sources:
[1] Feltes et al. (2012): Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime. URL: https://www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de/SharedDocs/downloads/EN/publikationen/Gender-based%20violence,%20stalking%20and%20fear%20of%20crime.html (accessed on 27.11.2024).
[2] UniSAFE. Gender-based violence and institutional responses: Building a knowledge base and operational tools to make universities and research organizations safe (2021-2024). URL: https://unisafe-gbv.eu/ (accessed on 27.11.2024).