Sexual harassment and sexualized violence
Counseling
Sexual harassment and sexualized violence are largely taboo and often underestimated problems in all areas of society, including at universities. At Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, such violations of personal boundaries will not be tolerated. It is not your fault if you have experienced sexual harassment or sexualized violence!
The Equal Opportunities Officer provides counseling in cooperation with the Frauenberatungsstelle Osnabrück (Women’s Counseling Center).
We are happy to provide information and counseling,
- if you yourself have experienced sexual harassment or sexualized violence.
- if you are not sure whether your experiences constitute sexual harassment or sexualized violence.
- if you have witnessed sexual harassment or sexualized violence.
- if you have harassed others or are unsure about it.
- if you want to learn about ways of preventing sexual harassment and sexualized violence and of intervening as a supervisor, colleague, fellow student, friend, or vigilant person.
- if you need contact information for individuals and organizations near you that provide advice and counseling.
Contact information
Counseling is free of charge for everyone at the university and is open to all genders. If you wish, you can receive counseling anonymously. The external counselor is independent of the university’s structures and hierarchies and is bound by confidentiality. In-person appointments at the Lingen campus are available upon request.
Phone: 0173 9619298 (we will be happy to call you back)
Email: hilfe-bei-belaestigung@hs-osnabrueck.de
Important note: The contact information listed above does not reach the Equal Opportunity Office at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. You can find the contact information for the Equal Opportunity Office on our team page “About Us”.
Here you will find external counseling services regarding (sexualized) discrimination, harassment, and violence: Find counseling
The explanatory video was created by students in the Media Interaction Design program in collaboration with the Equal Opportunity Office.
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].
Universities, as centers of learning and workplaces, are unfortunately no safe havens. 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 harassment or sexualized violence.
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 the 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 (see Richtlinie zum Umgang mit sexualisierter Diskriminierung, Belästigung und Gewalt in German)
Please feel free to contact us, and together we'll find the right format for you.
You can also find a selection of our counseling services in our flyer.
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).
Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences has a complaints office (AGG-Beschwerdestelle) established in accordance with the General Equal Treatment Act (§13 AGG). This office provides the opportunity to file a formal complaint regarding discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual identity.
The Equal Opportunity Officer offers confidential counseling on the topic of filing complaints.