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Unacceptable behaviour

This page provides information on what to do if you have been subjected to unacceptable behaviour.

Confidential Counsellor for Unacceptable Behaviour

If you have been subjected to (sexual) intimidation, bullying, aggression, violence or discrimination, you can contact the Confidential Counsellors for Unacceptable Behaviour. They have a fully independent position and everything you discuss will be treated with the utmost confidence.

What can the confidential counsellor do for you?

The confidential counsellor is there to:

  • listen to your complaint, give advice and offer support. 
  • provide information on ways in which you might resolve the problem and how you can submit a formal complaint. 
  • provide guidance if you would like mediation to take place or want to submit a complaint to the complaints committee.  
  • ensure that you receive adequate follow-up support. 

Complaints Committee for Unacceptable Behaviour

Formal complaints about unacceptable behaviour can be submitted to the Complaints Committee for Unacceptable Behaviour. This can result in disciplinary measures being taken. The confidential counsellor can provide you with further information about the committee and assist you in submitting a complaint to them. Your complaint will always be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Complaints regulation

You can find more information about procedures concerning unacceptable behaviour in the Leiden University Regulations on Complaints Relating to Unacceptable Behaviour: (sexual) harassment, bullying, aggression, violence and discrimination.

Advisory Team for Concerning or Threatening Behaviour

Have you been subjected to concerning or threatening behaviour by a fellow student, for example, stalking, sexual harassment or threats? Are you worried that a fellow student might pose a danger to other students or staff? Or do you have concerns about abusive behaviour in the home or suspect that a fellow student may be a victim of domestic abuse? For issues of this nature you can turn to the Advisory Team for Concerning or Threatening Behaviour.

Sexual harassment

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is any form of sexual behaviour that is perceived as unwanted or coerced by the person experiencing it. It is also known as sexually transgressive behaviour or sexual violence.

Examples of sexual harassment include:  

  • Physical contact that is against your will, such as unwanted touching, sexual assault or rape. 
  • Intimidating or transgressive comments or (online) messages.
  • Spreading sexually explicit images or messages without consent, or threatening to do so.
Finding the right help

If you have been subjected to sexual harassment, you may experience feelings of shame and other unpleasant thoughts and emotions. It's perfectly normal to find it difficult to talk about your experiences and seek help, but it is very important that you do so.

Did it just happen and are you in danger or in need of medical care? Call 112

Sexual Assault Center

If you have experienced sexual harassment, you can always turn to the Sexual Assault Center. Here, professional counsellors are available 24/7 to listen to you and provide the care you need. They work closely with doctors, psychologists and the police and can put you in touch with the right sources of help. But only if this is what you want.

Call free of charge: 0800 0188
Available 24/7

Chat with the Sexual Assault Center
Mon-Fri from 16.00 till 06.00
Sat/Sun/national holidays from 20.00 till 06.00

The sooner the better – but it’s never too late

We recommend that you contact the Sexual Assault Center as soon as possible. This is important for your psychological recovery and also, in cases of sexual violence, to help prevent pregnancy, treat possible venereal diseases and secure evidence.

It is never too late to seek help. Even if the experience took place some time ago, you can still contact the Sexual Assault Center.

Insurance coverage

Not all insurance policies cover specialist care such as psychologist appointments. Check in advance what is included in your policy and if required, take out additional coverage. Visit the insurance page for further information.

Report it to the police

In many cases, sexual harassment is punishable by law. You can therefore choose to contact the police, even if the experience took place some time ago.

When you contact the police, you will be put in touch with a staff member who is specially trained in this area. They will explain what to expect if you choose to report a crime, so you won’t encounter any surprises later. It’s then up to you if you want to file a report.

Peer support
  • Slachtofferhulp Nederland (Victim Support Netherlands) offers a private online community through which you can share stories with other people who have experienced sexual harassment. The website is in Dutch but you can translate it with the Google Translate tool.
Study-related problems

Have you experienced sexual harassment and has this had a negative impact on your studies? Contact your sStudy adviser or coordinator to discuss the progress of your studies. Or make an appointment with a student psychologist.

Sexual harassment by a fellow student, lecturer or other staff member

Have you been sexually harassed by a fellow student, lecturer or other university staff member? You can talk to the Confidential Counsellor for Unacceptable Behaviour. They can offer advice and support, and discuss ways in which you could solve the problem or make an official complaint. The confidential counsellor can also refer you to right sources of care.

Concerned about the behaviour of a fellow student?

Are you concerned that a fellow student is exhibiting sexually transgressive behaviour, for example towards a fellow student? Contact the Advisory team for concerning or threatening behaviour.

Consent

Clear communication can help to prevent sexual harassment. Always explicitly ask for consent (permission). That way you can be sure that the other party agrees. Asking for consent can also be sexy: you can talk to each other about what you’d like to do. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, even if you have already started. Read more about consent on this flyer and the website of Our Bodies Our Voice, a foundation that works to prevent sexual harassment.

If you want to get in touch with the organisers of the 'Consent is key' campaign, please send an email to studentwellbeing@sea.leidenuniv.nl.

Free training for your association

Would your study or student association like to learn more about consent, communication and a safe culture? Take part in a training course offered by Our Bodies Our Voice, a foundation that specialises in the prevention of sexual harassment. Training courses are subsidised by university. You can request more information by sending a mail to diversitytraining@BB.leidenuniv.nl.

Amnesty ‘Let’s talk about yes’ manifesto

On 10 March 2022, Leiden University signed the Amnesty International 'Let's talk about YES' manifesto. In doing so, the university pledged its commitment to preventing sexual harassment. Measures are also being taken to ensure that everyone within the university feels responsible for a culture in which sex is based on equality and consent.

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