EQUAL TREATMENT. Many cases of sexual harassment are reported in the media right now. It is therefore important to clarify what kind of help you can get as an employee or student, if you are subjected to unwelcome behavior at the University of Gothenburg.
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination. It is the victim who determines what is undesirable or offensive. According to the Discrimination Ombudsman, “the perpetrator must understand how the behavior is perceived for it to be classified as harassment or sexual harassment. It is thus important that the victim makes it clear to the perpetrator that the behaviour is unpleasant and unwelcome. In certain circumstances the offensive nature of the behavior may be so obvious that no comment is required from the victim.”
Sexual harassment refers to unwelcome conduct of sexual nature that violates a person’s integrity. Examples of sexual harassment can be comments and words, unwanted touching or leering, unwelcome compliments, invitations or insinuations.
Subjected to sexual harassment
If you are an employee and believe that you have been subjected to sexual harassment at the University of Gothenburg, contact your Head of Institute, or equivalent. If this is not possible, contact the higher ranked director, such as the Dean, or lastly: The Vice-Chancellor.
You can also contact your union representative, who have the right to represent you. Their role in discrimination disputes is to represent their union members.
If you are a student, you contact the Head of Institute, or another employee that can inform the Head of Institute. You can also turn to the student union for advice or support.
What happens when you make a complaint
An investigation starts where you will have the opportunity to describe what happened, the persons who were involved and how you experienced the situation. It is your Head of Institute who is responsible for investigating the circumstances concerning the harassment and that actions are taken quickly.
You will not be subjected to any negative actions on account of you having made a complaint.
You can receive help and support
In addition to the support and advice you can get from your union representative or student union, you can also contact the Corporate Health or the Student health centre (Akademihälsan) if you are a student.
More information
You can read more about discrimination and sexual harassment on the Staff Portal, where there also are support and control documents. If you are a student, you can read more at the Student Portal. You can also read more at the Discrimination Ombudsman web pages.
