NO.
TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE

Trier University claims to be an equal opportunity and non-discriminatory university. It does not tolerate sexual harassment, discrimination and violence within its area of responsibility and considers it its duty to protect all members and other affiliated persons of the university from any form of sexual harassment, discrimination and violence.

We expressly encourage affected persons to seek dialogue with the Senate Representative Prof. Ritzi or other contact facilities of the University in cases of sexual harassment, discrimination or violence. Anonymity can be maintained if this is desired. The Senate Representative supports and protects these individuals and listens to their concerns. Allegations from students are taken seriously and pursued in the same way as those from lecturers and other employees of Trier University.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is unwanted, sexually oriented behaviour that has the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of the person concerned, especially if it creates an environment characterised by intimidation, hostility, humiliation, degradation or insults. Sexual harassment, discrimination and violence can occur in very different places, for example at work, before, during and after courses or at official events. It can come from different people such as superiors, employees, teachers or students. Sexual harassment, discrimination and violence can be perpetrated in words, gestures or actions. The decisive factor is not the intention of the person acting, but how their behaviour is received by the person concerned - whether or not they are harassed in an undesirable way.

The dignity of all persons studying and working on the Trier campus, regardless of their gender, age or origin, must be respected and protected.  

Disclaimer on the use of language on our website

When we talk about sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination and other forms of sexualised violence, we must also address the use of certain terms. It is appropriate to speak of sexualised rather than sexual violence. This is because the motive for sexualised violence is not sexuality, but power. Sexuality is functionalised in order to humiliate, degrade and oppress people with the aim of making oneself feel powerful. The term harassment also requires critical discussion, as it obscures the fact that so-called sexual harassment is also a form of violence, which is relativised by the term harassment. However, as this term has already become established in everyday life and in the world of work, we still refer to sexual harassment on these pages.