For Ghent Uni students

Transgressive behaviour

You deserve a safe and respectful study and living environment.

Are you dealing with inappropriate behaviour?
Are you unsure about a situation?
Were you a witness or do you have questions about your own behaviour?

The Student Confidential Counsellors Team listens, thinks along with you, and explores with you, what the next steps could be.
You can come to us with any question or concern.

What is transgressive behaviour?

Legally, there are 5 types of transgressive behaviour.
But know that your own boundaries matter. You are always welcome.

    1. Aggression: you are physically or verbally threatened, harassed, stalked, attacked, etc. Or you have been a witness to the above.
    2. Bullying: you are repeatedly the victim of or witness to hostile, offensive or abusive language, actions, gestures or texts (e.g. cyber-bullying).
    3. Sexual harassment: sexually suggestive gestures, jokes and comments, (invitations to) unwanted intimate touches, unwanted penetration (rape).
    4. Discrimination: you are treated unequally or are confronted with statements based on a personal characteristic such as sex, gender identity, gender expression, family composition, birth, marital status, skin colour, nationality, descent and national or ethnic origin, physical or genetic characteristic, disability, functional limitation, medical history , state of health, age, sexual orientation, social origin, wealth, religion or belief, political opinion.
    5. Abuse of power

Formally file a complaint

At Ghent University, you can file a formal complaint about incidents of inappropriate behaviour committed by a staff member or a student.
The confidential advisors can help with this.

  • Submit a complaint through a confidential advisor or directly to the rector via juridischezaken@ugent.be.
    You identify the person the complaint is about and describe the facts and alleged wrongdoing as concretely as possible, preferably supported with documents (e.g., emails, written testimonies...) that you attach to the complaint.
  • You always get a confirmation of receipt.
  • The rector examines the report and decides whether the case will be referred for disciplinary investigation.
  • If necessary, temporary measures can also be taken to protect safety and well-being.
  • More info via the guide disciplinary procedure for complaints.

More options?