Transgressive behaviour and discrimination: Team Confidential Counselors is listening!
As Ghent University, we want to treat each other with respect. Transgressive behavior and discrimination will not be tolerated. Are you confronted with it? Trustpunt is there for you.
If you are in an emergency at a UGent location or if you need urgent help, you can call the Security Department and Emergency Centre around the clock on 09/264.88.88 for immediate assistance. In the case of sexual violence, you can go to the Sexual Assault Center for medical help, psychological care and if you want to file a complaint.
What is transgressive behavior?
Some boundaries are clear and leave no room for discussion. However, other limits are personal. What is (still) OK for others, might be crossing your limits or vice versa. The most important? That everyone in and around Ghent University respects each other's personal boundaries.
We distinguish between four forms of transgressive behaviour in the work or study context:
- Aggression: you are physically or verbally threatened, harassed, stalked, attacked, etc. Or you have been a witness to the above.
- Bullying: you are repeatedly the victim of or witness to hostile, offensive or abusive language, actions, gestures or texts (e.g. cyber-bullying).
- Sexual harassment: sexually suggestive gestures, jokes and comments, (invitations to) unwanted intimate touches, unwanted penetration (rape).
- 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.
What can I contact the Team Confidential Counselors for?
You can turn to the Team Confidential Counselors for
- a confidential conversation
- advice and information about possible next steps
- support with restorative actions, such as a restorative conversation, guidance to help you start a dialogue yourself, or assistance in involving someone else within the organization
- an appropriate and targeted referral.
All conversations are free of charge, and the confidential advisors are bound by professional confidentiality.
More information can be found in the FAQ.
Making an appointment with Trustpunt? Here's how
You can make an appointment for a confidential conversation via the online booking system:
- Make an on campus appointment (in the rectoraat)
- Make an online appointment (via Ms Teams)
For other questions, please contact the confidential counsellors at trustpunt@ugent.be
UGent treats your personal data with care.
The Team
Code of conduct
Within Ghent University we want to encourage a caring, positive and respectful way of interacting with each other. In our code of conduct we outline what this means in concrete terms.
Flemish Reporting Point for Transgressive Behaviour
Would you prefer to talk to someone or file a report outside of Ghent University? You can contact the Flemish Reporting Point for Transgressive Behaviour (Vlaams meldpunt grensoverschrijdend gedrag) by calling the free number 0800/13184. The service is available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on Monday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can also use the chat function or fill in a contact form on the website, or send an email to meldpunt@vlaanderen.be.
Do you have a different problem and are you looking for someone to listen
The Trustpunt confidential counsellors are there for you for all your questions about and reports concerning transgressive behaviour. Do you have a different question or issue? Then take a look at the webpage Feeling Good for the contact details of experts and emergency support.
Staff or PhD student?
Read more on Trustpunt's intranet page for staff around transgressive behaviour.