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We are a group of students and alumni working to end (sexual) misconduct at Dutch universities. Our first project: institutional responses to complaints.
Here are our recommendations after five months of research:
Here are our recommendations after five months of research:
First, findings.
Reporting (sexual) misconduct to uni's retraumatises victims. Reports and complaints often result in nothing and the process is horrifying. The system works to silence and isolate victims instead of protect them.
This can & should change. Our suggestions:
Reporting (sexual) misconduct to uni's retraumatises victims. Reports and complaints often result in nothing and the process is horrifying. The system works to silence and isolate victims instead of protect them.
This can & should change. Our suggestions:
DATA AND EXPERTISE
Record all (informal) reports centrally.Develop policy expertise. Evaluate the complaints procedure regularly. Monitor misconduct by asking your staff and students about it anonymously.
PRO-ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONInvestigate (sexual) misconduct pro-actively,with or without formal complaint.
As part of the investigation following every formal complaint, explicitly ask (ex-)colleagues and (ex-)students to report misconduct.
CAREOffer mental and financial support to thosereporting and bystanders. Make clear who is responsible for doing so.
TRANSPARANCYInform bystanders about ongoing formal investigations.Make the consequences of misconduct visibleby way of an integrity guide with concrete examples and sanctions.
Create this guide democratically.
INDEPENDENT PROCESSEnsure an independent complaints procedure,especially from the board.
Work toward a national independent committee where complainants can appeal.
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS POLICYSet professional norms: teachers and supervisors don't view their students, supervisees or employees aspotential sexual or romantic partners.
MORE RIGHTS FOR VICTIMSAnonymous reporting.Put complainants in touch with each other. Prolong or abolish the limitation period. Reimburse juridical support. Ensure those reporting are & feel free to speak about their experiences with misconduct and reporting.
SUPPORT MANAGEMENTEnable managers to act & set expectations by providing a roadmap.Provide mandatory training.
CUTE AND HANDY FLYERSWe've made some cute and handy flyers summarising our recommendations. They are especially designed to fit in an email to your leadership, asking them to implement these changes.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NWxB-vF9flMtcgR5MNn_LH-AeO7MRy0t/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fxpVerBV5q2XkBIK-Sp3GWgt6Z3Ol6dY/view?usp=sharing
SOURCESWe're basing these recommendations on public and private victim accounts, research by @LNVH_NL and @1752Group, and a range of conversations.
See our full nota with 65 (!) detailed recommendations and sources here (in Dutch):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zmllRlCQtforb0vqdF8tu-0fwLBfL69X/view?usp=sharing.
MORE TO BE DONEOur recommendations focus on the paper reality of reporting (sexual) misconduct at universities. A lot goes wrong in the execution, too. And ultimately we won't get anywhere without deeper culture change advocated by eg @WOinActie. But it's a start.
NEED HELP?You're not alone. Ensure you're safe. Confide in someone you trust. Seek psychological support, e.g. from a GP or uni counsellor. Reach out to a confidential advisor or ombudsofficer at your uni.
Not working or unsure what to do? Please reach out to us or @LNVH.
