Against Sexual Harassment: Information on and Support

The Leuphana University Lüneburg takes its responsibility for prevention as well as for the protection and support of those affected seriously. This portal on sexualized discrimination and violence is aimed at those affected, supporters of those affected, those who want to intervene when witnessing sexual harassment as well as at everyone else who would like to find out more about the topic. It explains what sexualized discrimination and violence means, what kind of attitudes and cooperation are practiced at Leuphana University Lüneburg, what options are available to those affected and their supporters and how each person can contribute to raising awareness in their own environment.

Sexual harassment occurs at universities, as it does in every other setting. We understand sexual harassment as a form of sexualized discrimination and violence. This includes verbal, non-verbal or physical sexualized action, which have the goal and/or the effect of demeaning another person. The deciding factors are that those actions affect a person's dignity, and that the actions are considered unwanted or uncomfortable by the person affected (Senate Guidelines 2013). You can find contact points here.

According to a study from 2011, 54.7% of female students have experienced sexual harassment in a university context. In a meta-analysis of studies from Germany, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency assumes that roughly every 4th to 5th woman and every 12th to 14th man was affected by sexual harassment in the workplace throughout their working life. Trans persons are prevalently affected by discrimination and violence (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes 2017, p. 54). Sexualized discrimination and violence can happen to anyone regardless of gender and other personal characteristics, and there are groups who are more at risk and encounter specific circumstances when seeking support.

You can find more information in the research report "Berliner Monitoring: Trans- und homophobe Gewalt" (by Albrecht Lüter, Sarah Riese und Almut Sülzle).

At Leuphana University Lüneburg there is a great awareness for the prevention of sexualized discrimination and violence. In this video (with German & English subtitles), members of the university and external experts describe their views, explain what sexualized discrimination and violence is, and present contact points at the university.

Subtitles in German and English are available by clicking on the gear wheel icon (options) on the right bottom side of the Youtube player.

You can find a transcript (in English) of the video here.

Being well-informed is valuable- so that you can take good care of yourself, that you can support others well and that you always have appreciative and productive interactions at the university. With our mini-quiz (5 statements on sexualized discrimination and violence) you can find out at which points you can deepen your knowledge of sexualized discrimination and violence.

Those with advanced knowledge can also try this interactive exercise, in which you get to know the signs of sexualized discrimination and violence or this test to check your knowledge on the contents of the entire webpage.

Sexualized discrimination and violence (also referred to as: sexual harassment) can take many different forms.

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Our culture of cooperation is explained in the Charta der Vielfalt of 2014: As Leuphana University Lüneburg, we are committed to cultivating a university culture that is characterized by mutual respect, anti-discrimination and appreciation of every single person.

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We would like to encourage you not to accept sexualized discrimination and violence, but to take action against it with our support.

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This section provides information on how you as a university member can support affected persons and how you can take good care of yourself and your own safety.

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Creating awareness is something that everyone can participate in - whether in teaching, in a circle of colleagues, among fellow students or in a management role. You can find resources for raising awareness below.

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