Social Safety

What can you do yourself? 

If you experience or witness undesireble or transgrassive behaviour, there are several steps you can take. 

Start the conversation and give feedback 

Radboud University encourages you to speak up. If you feel safe and there is room for dialogue, try to address the person displaying the behaviour. We understand this may not be easy, but it is important. Let them know that you experience the behaviour as inappropriate or hurtful. By giving feedback, you set your own boundaries and give the other person a chance to reflect and adjust their behaviour. Try to agree on clear steps for the future. We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. You can ask for support from your student advisor, or an independent confidential advisor. 

Seek further help 

Confidential advisors

If you are unable to resolve the situation on your own, it’s important to discuss the issue. It often helps to talk it through and get advice. Speak to your student advisor if you feel comfortable doing so. Alternatively, you can reach out to an independent confidential advisor. You can also turn to the confidential advisor if you are unsure about what is exactly going on, but it doesn't feel right. The confidential advisor will listen, think along with you, and guide you through possible next steps. 

Read more about confidential advisors

Another option: the ombudsofficer

You can also contact the university's ombudsofficer. 

Key differences between the confidential advisor and ombudsofficer:

• A confidential advisor is on your side and there to support you personally.
• The ombudsofficer takes a broader, impartial perspective and gives advice on structural improvements beyond individual reports. They can also mediate between involved parties. 

Need help finding the right help?

Not sure who to turn to or unclear about your question? You can always contact your student advisor. They will help you find the right support for your situation.

Submit a formal complaint 

If the behaviour is serious, or if previous steps have not led to improvement, you may choose to file a formal complaint with the external complaints committee. A confidential advisor can support you in this process. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality and the committee is bound by a duty of secrecy. 

What undesirable behaviour is  

Social safety means feeling free and safe to study, be yourself and speak out. Nevertheless, undesirable behaviour sometimes occurs - and what is perceived as such varies from person to person.  

1. Undesirable behaviour is behaviour that hinders a person’s work or studies. What is undesirable for one person may not be so for another. Therefore, the person exhibiting undesirable behaviour may not be aware of its effect. 

   Examples are: not greeting, constantly interrupting a colleague, unnecessarily cc-ing lots of people into critical emails.

    

2. Transgressive behaviour is all behaviour that affects someone’s dignity. This is behaviour that you can and should know is unacceptable, regardless of how it is perceived. Radboud University considers the following behaviours to be transgressive: 

• behaviour that is discriminatory in nature;
• behaviour involving gossiping, bullying or threatening;
• behaviour that has a sexual component;
• behaviour that is intimidating, aggressive or violent;
• behaviour involving the abuse of a hierarchical or dependency relationship;
• behaviour that is repeated and does not change after someone has declared that it is undesirable. 
  
  Examples are: shouting, grabbing someone, and disadvantaging or excluding someone because of personal characteristics, such as origin, beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, disability, role or position. 

Radboud University is actively committed to preventing and addressing transgressive behaviour to ensure a safe environment for all.    

Social culture Radboud University: how do you contribute?    

In a socially safe working or learning environment, cooperation, equality, openness and consideration for each other are important. Students and staff can be themselves and treat each other with respect, regardless of origin, belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, role or position.  

How do you contribute?   

• You treat everyone respectfully and equally
• You are open to ideas and perspectives of others and to feedback on your own behaviour
• You behave with integrity and comply with the applicable rules and guidelines 

Trainings for students 

The training offer around social safety is under development.