Reporting center for cross-boundary behavior

The confidential counselors:

• listen calmly to your story and think along with you;
• inform you about possible next steps;
• help you find your own strength and choices;
• maintain an independent, impartial, and neutral position;
• are bounded by professional secrecy and treat your question with complete confidentiality;
• support you in taking action or take action with your express consent;
• identify, where there are necessary, structural bottlenecks within the organization.

The confidential advisors cannot conduct investigations, take sides, impose sanctions, or provide legal assistance. They are a safe and discreet point of contact. Together, you explore what you need and how you can fulfill this need.

Below is an overview of the steps that you can expect:

1. Report cross-boundary behavior
   You can report via the reporting form or directly to the confidential counselors for students or staff.
2. Initial contact
   Within ten days of your report, a confidential counselor will contact you to schedule an exploratory meeting.
3. Meeting to explore the situation
   During this meeting, you can tell your story in complete confidentiality: what happened, how you experienced it, and what thoughts and feelings you have. Together with the confidential counselor, you will discuss what you need and what steps can be taken.
4. Possible actions (always at your request)
   • Informal options: the focus here is on offering support, establishing safety, and, if desired, achieving recovery.
     • Opvang en advies: de vertrouwenspersoon kan maximum 3 persoonlijke gesprekken met je inplannen om te luisteren naar je verhaal. De vertrouwenspersoon kan gericht advies geven en doorverwezen naar professionele hulpverlening.
     • Interventie met een derde: als je ermee instemt, kan een derde partij betrokken waaraan de situatie wordt gesignaleerd en wordt bekeken welke rol de derde partij hierin kan opnemen. (bv: diensthoofd, docent, stagebegeleider, opleidingsmanager, opleidingsdirecteur of personeelsdienst betrokken worden.)
     • Signaalfunctie: als je dat wenst, kan de vertrouwenspersoon mogelijke structurele knelpunten binnen het beleid of de werking signaleren.
     • Herstelgesprek of bemiddeling: als alle partijen hiermee instemmen kan de vertrouwenspersoon optreden als neutrale partij tijdens een herstel- of bemiddelingsgesprek. De vertrouwenspersoon bereidt dat gesprek samen met jou voor zodat het gesprek voldoende veilig aanvoelt.
   • Referral and support for formal procedures: if you want an investigation to determine what sanctions are appropriate, you can choose to initiate a formal procedure (e.g., disciplinary proceedings or involving the police). The confidential counselors can explain, support, and prepare you for the initiation of such a procedure.
5. Follow-up and care
   After a certain period of time, the confidential counselor will check in with you to see how you are doing and how the situation has evolved. If you wish, you can accept the proposal for a follow-up meeting.

Everything is done confidentially and with your consent. You decide what is shared and which route you want to follow.

• Ombudsman
  The point of contact for problems within the study context, such as complaints or disputes about the study career, the legal position of the student, or actions and study related situations that are perceived as unfair. This may concern, for example, exams, lessons, study cards, or the application of the education and examination regulations. The ombudsperson mediates in conflicts between students and staff members and monitors correct treatment within the program.
• Confidential counselor
  The reporting center for cross-boundary behavior is there for situations in which the personal boundaries of a student or staff member are crossed (such as verbal or physical violence, harassment, unwanted sexual behavior, discrimination, stalking, racism, unjustified accusations, etc.).

As the person reporting the incident, you remain the spokesperson for your own story and are always in control of your choices.

The confidential counselor supports you in taking the desired next steps. Everything is done confidentially and with your consent.

The possible actions you can take as a reporter are:

Informal options

The focus here is on offering support, establishing safety, and, if desired, achieving recovery.

• Support and advice: the confidential counselor can schedule a maximum of three personal meetings with you to listen to your story. The confidential counselor can provide specific advice and refer you to professional help.
• Intervention with a third party: if you agree, a third party can be involved to whom the situation is reported and whose role in the matter can be assessed. (E.g., the head of department, teacher, internship supervisor, course manager, director, or human resources department can be involved.)
• Signaling function: if you wish, the confidential counselor can signal possible structural bottlenecks within the policy or operation.
• Mediation or reconciliation meeting: if all parties agree, the confidential counselor can act as a neutral party during a reconciliation or mediation meeting. The confidential counselor will prepare for this meeting together with you so that it feels sufficiently safe.

Referral and support for formal procedures

If you want an investigation to determine what sanctions are appropriate, you can choose to initiate formal proceedings (e.g., disciplinary proceedings or involving the police).

The confidential advisor can explain the process, support you, and prepare you for the start of such proceedings.