Social safety and your (mental)well-being are important to us.
Experiencing or witnessing unsafe situations, inappropriate behaviour, or emotional distress can have a significant impact. If you feel unsafe, mistreated, or mentally overwhelmed—or if you see someone who might be—don’t carry it alone. Talk to someone you trust, and start a conversation. You're never alone. Various support professionals are there for you to listen, talk things through and to act. Decisively, respectfully and with an open mind.
I am a student. How and from whom can I get help?
Have you been affected by something or someone? And do you want information about who (or what) to turn to for help, support or counselling? Please take a look at the overview below to learn how to proceed in various (potentially) unsafe or harmful situations.
- Inappropriate behaviour
There are many forms of inappropriate behaviour. It is you who decides what you consider to be inappropriate behaviour. Behaviour can be inappropriate if a person's direct or indirect acts or remarks affect your personal integrity in whatever way either verbally, non-verbally, physically, online or via text or video.
Have you been confronted with inappropriate behaviour? You can always turn to our confidential advisors. A confidential advisor lends a listening ear in situations of inappropriate behaviour or unequal treatment, is independent and has a duty of confidentiality towards others, such as lecturers and university institutions. The confidential advisor will always be on your side and offers moral and emotional support.
Confidential advisors
- Sexual harassment
There are many forms of sexual harassment. Think of dealing with sexually suggestive comments (spoken or written) or non-verbal gestures. Or maybe someone is trying to force themselves on you, without your consent. In the Netherlands, sharing photos or videos without your permission (image-based sexual abuse) is a criminal act of harassment.
Have you been confronted with sexual harassment? You can always turn to our confidential advisors. A confidential advisor lends a listening ear in situations of unacceptable (sexual) behaviour, is independent and has a duty of confidentiality towards others, such as lecturers and university institutions. The confidential advisor will always be on your side and offers moral and emotional support.
CONFIDENTIAL advisors
Please keep in mind that setting and protecting your personal boundaries is crucial. Remember that, if something does happen, you are not to blame. Try to find someone you trust and try to talk about it. Make sure that if there is any evidence, you keep it. Always seek support.
I am an employee. How and from whom can I get help?
Have you been affected by something or someone? And do you want information about who (or what) to turn to for help, support or counselling? Please take a look at the overview below to learn how to proceed in various (potentially) unsafe or harmful situations.
- Inappropriate behaviour
There are many forms of inappropriate behaviour. It is you who decide what you consider to be inappropriate behaviour. Behaviour can be inappropriate if a person's direct or indirect acts or remarks affect your personal integrity in whatever way either verbally, non-verbally, physically, online or via text or video.
Have you been confronted with inappropriate behaviour? Talk about it with your manager, supervisor or with an HR advisor. Is this not feasible or do you prefer not to do so? You can always consult one of the confidential advisors. A confidential advisor acts as a trusted sounding board, mediator and counsellor, and is not in a position to make judgements.
Confidential advisors
EXTERNAL CONFIDENTIAL ADVISOR
Our external confidential advisor is an independent professional outside UT, available to employees for confidential support and advice regarding issues related to social safety, such as (sexual) harassment, discrimination, bullying, or abuse of power
- Sexual harassment
There are many forms of sexual harassment. Think of dealing with sexually suggestive comments (spoken or written) or non-verbal gestures. Or maybe someone is trying to force themselves on you, without your consent. In the Netherlands, sharing photos or videos without your permission (image-based sexual abuse) is a criminal act of harassment.
Have you been confronted with sexual harassment? Try to talk about it with your manager, supervisor or with an HR advisor. Is this not feasible or do you prefer not to do so? You can always consult one of the confidential advisors. A confidential advisor acts as a trusted sounding board, mediator and counsellor, and is not in a position to make judgements.
CONFIDENTIAL ADVISoRS
Please keep in mind that setting and protecting your personal boundaries is crucial. Remember that, if something does happen, you are not to blame. Try to find someone you trust and try to talk about it. Make sure that if there is any evidence, you keep it. Always seek support.
EXTERNAL CONFIDENTIAL ADVISOR
Our external confidential advisor is an independent professional outside UT, available to employees for confidential support and advice regarding issues related to social safety, such as (sexual) harassment, discrimination, bullying, or abuse of power.
Ombuds officer for students and employees
Ombuds Officer Han Warmelink is here to lend a sympathetic ear, and to provide advice, guidance and mediation services. He can refer people to the appropriate authority, or he may decide to investigate the matter personally. The position of Ombuds Officer complements the confidential advisors, complaints committee, student psychologists, study advisors and the student counsellors. The Ombuds Officer is an impartial and independent professional who is available to all community members.
Blue tree project
At UT, we value the well-being of our staff and students. Only when we are in a healthy balance can we make a real impact together. A safe environment and attention to mental health are a crucial part of this - whether you are studying, working or doing research. That’s why we participate in the Blue Tree Project.
The blue tree on campus serves as a powerful symbol, visibly drawing attention to mental health and social safety. Especially in times when pressure, uncertainty, and division can increase, it’s vital to show that we are here for one another. To have the courage to ask: How are you really doing?
The Blue Tree invites all of us to look out for each other, speak up, and feel safe to be ourselves. Together, we make UT a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.
Integral safety management
Social safety is one component of integral safety. Integral Safety Manager Erwin Medendorp co-ordinates all safety related matters and aims to resolve these matters in collaboration with all relevant professionals. If you have a general question about social safety or do you feel you have been given unsatisfactory support, do not hesitate to reach out to Erwin.
GUIDELINES, CODES OF CONDUCT AND SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY
All our codes of conducts, guidelines, and procedures that form the foundation of how we interact with each other, what we can and should expect from each other, and which procedures we can follow in case an unsafe situation arises, can be found in this overview for staff and in this overview of regulations for students. More detailed information about scientific integrity can be read on our topic page on integrity and ethics.
CAMPAIGN ON SOCIAL SAFETY AND DE&I
You might have spotted some slides showing "Respect each other's space. Talk about it" or "Act on it!". These pivotal messages lie at the very core of our dedicated efforts, centred around social safety and normalising diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). In our communication campaign, we seek to highlight the profound significance of respectfully considering one another's experiences, values, and perspectives during interactions, each stemming from our own "bubbles".
As we forge ahead, we will gradually introduce an array of additional initiatives and tools. The visual in this page's header (desktop version) shows you how the campaign looks and what you can expect. If you are viewing this page on your mobile phone, you can download an image to see how we raise awareness about social safety in interactions and encourage you to seek help if needed. So you can talk about it, and we can act on it together.