Transgressive Behaviour: Internal Reporting Centre
The faculty takes transgressive behaviour, in the broadest sense of the word, very seriously and wants to actively address this issue within the faculty's study environment.
If you need urgent help, you can call the Emergency Centre for emergencies in Ghent University buildings. In the case of sexual violence, you can go to the Sexual Assault Centre.
What is transgressive behaviour?
Behaviour is transgressive if your personal boundaries have been crossed, even if it was not intended. Possible forms of transgressive behaviour include:
- bullying: undermining dignity, creating a hurtful environment, abuse of power, intimidation;
- aggression: both physical and verbal;
- sexual harassment: verbal, non-verbal or physical;
- discrimination: being treated unequally, excluded or disadvantaged.
Where can you go?
The faculty has set up an Internal Reporting Centre for Transgressive Behaviour as a pilot project, which is staffed by an experienced psychologist who works independently and neutrally. The Internal Reporting Centre is accessible and open to any report (anonymous or otherwise), from both victims and witnesses. It aims to detect transgressive behaviour as quickly as possible, act as the first point of contact and, if desired, refer cases to authorities within or outside the university.
In addition, there is a university-wide Team Confidential Counselors (Trustpunt). If you are a student and expect an intervention, you can contact Trustpunt, either via the Internal Reporting Centre or directly. Trustpunt offers psychosocial support if you file a disciplinary complaint.
How does the faculty procedure work?
- Report the incident via email. You can do this anonymously or personally, and you can indicate whether or not you want to be contacted.
- Every report is reviewed and treated discreetly and confidentially.
- If you indicated that you would like to be contacted, you will receive a response within two working days.
- First and foremost, we listen. You decide what you want to share and how you want to tell your story. Sometimes it is enough to just vent, while other times a more extensive conversation is desirable.
- Together with you, we will consider the next steps. We will go over the options for further follow-up and support. Even if you only want to report an incident and do not (yet) want any further follow-up, you can contact the Internal Reporting Centre. We will never take action without your consent.
- If necessary and desirable, we can refer you to the appropriate services.
- Finally, the Internal Reporting Centre stores every report anonymously in a secure registration system. This allows us to identify any patterns.
- The Internal Reporting Centre does not have the authority to impose sanctions, but it can make policy recommendations on the prevention and handling of transgressive behaviour. If you want a formal procedure, you can request that measures or sanctions be imposed.
Contact
The faculty's Internal Reporting Centre for Transgressive Behaviour can be contacted by email. It is staffed by Dr. Guy Bronselaer, a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in clinical and health psychology. Every report is reviewed and treated discreetly and confidentially. Nothing will be passed on to the persons and/or services concerned without your consent.