Help and emergency
Support and counselling and complaint filing in cases of sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence
Sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence affects every part of society, including institutions of higher learning.It can take many forms, making a conclusive list impossible. Examples include: sexually suggestive, often ambiguous, remarks; repeated physical, seemingly random advances; or the sending of pornographic images. Sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence can be clear-cut, e.g. if a perpetrator has not accepted a "no" and has crossed a clearly indicated boundary.
However, the situations are often more ambiguous. There is a "queasy" feeling that something is not right. Those affected might ask themselves: "What happened?" or "Am I exaggerating and making a fuss?" They might be unsure whether the incidents should be discussed at all. Others want to speak openly about what they have experienced, but do not know who the right persons to contact are, what their options for action are, and what the processes at Bielefeld University look like. The University's Policy against Sexualised Harassment, Discrimination and Violence from 17.07.2024 provides the basis for action.
The first point of contact for all incidents of and experiences with sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence is the Anlaufstelle for Experiences of Harassment and Discrimination (Anlaufstelle Belästigungs- und Diskriminierungserfahrung). In addition to personal and confidential counselling, the Anlaufstelle provides information about possible courses of action within the university.
At all times, anyone who has experienced sexualised harassment, discrimination or violence has access to all of the following options:
Counselling: Trained counsellors review and discuss the experiences with the person seeking advice, provide psychosocial support and assist them when deciding on possible further steps.
Report: The university’s policy against sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence introduces the option of filling a report. The reporting process is currently in development.
In the meantime, submitted reports are and processed on an ad hoc and case-by-case basis to the best of our ability.
Official Complaint: A official complaint initiates a university-internal legal procedure. If misconduct is identified during the comprehensive complaint investigation, measures or sanctions can be imposed on the perpetrator. A complaint cannot be filed anonymously.
All forms of sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence are prohibited at Bielefeld University. However, if incidents do occur, the university encourages and supports those affected to seek support and take further steps.
Last updated: Nov. 2025
- Anlaufstelle for Experiences of Harassment and Discrimination
The Anlaufstelle for Experiences of Harassment and Discrimination offers:
- Confidential and, if desired, anonymous counselling
- Support for those seeking counselling and, if necessary, assistance in the further process
- Clarification of and information on possible options for further action
- If necessary, referral to a relevant specialised counselling centres
The self-determination of the person concerned is the highest guiding principle.
Who can contact the Anlaufstelle?
- University staff and members of all genders of any status
- Confidants and supporters of university members (e.g. family, friends, colleagues, etc.)
- Guests and other non-university members, as long as the incident happened on campus grounds and at least one of the people involved is a member of Bielefeld University
Contact:
Room: UHG-M5-119
Initial contact preferably by e-mail, response usually within 24 hours
Tel.: 0521-106-67636
E-Mail: diskriminierungserfahrungen@uni-bielefeld.de
Counselling languages: German, English- Counselling Centres
All counselling centres offer:
- Confidential and, if desired, anonymous counselling (even at very short notice, if a reference to the urgency and the concern is formulated in the subject line of the email)
- Support for those seeking counselling and, if necessary, assistance in the further process
- Clarification of and information on possible options for further action
- If necessary, referral to a relevant specialised counselling centre
The self-determination of the person concerned is the highest guiding principle. A request for a (confidential) counselling session does not trigger a report or complaint.
- General Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
To whom does the ZSB offer counselling?
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Post-graduate/Doctoral students
- Prospective students
- Student employees
- Confidants and supporters (e.g. family, friends, classmates, etc.) of students who have experienced harassment or discrimination, including teaching staff
Contact
- The ZSB can be reached during office hours in person (waiting area B2-116, UHG), by telephone and by e-mail
- E-mail: zsb@uni-bielefeld.de
- Counselling languages: German, English
- by male or female counsellor on request
- Counselling centre for employees and managers
To whom does the centre offer counselling?
- Staff and managers in administration and service,
- Academic staff and professors
- Researchers and teaching staff
- Student employees
- Confidants and supporters (e.g. family, friends, colleagues, etc.) of a university employee who have experienced harassment or discrimination
Contact
- Heidrun Kuhnt
- Room: Main University Building /M5-119
- Initial contact preferably by e-mail, response usually within 24 hours
- Phone: (0521) 106-67636
- Email: beratung-mafk@uni-bielefeld.de
- Website Counselling Centre
- Counselling languages: German, English
- Frauenennotruf Bielefeld e.V. (Specialist Counselling Centre of Victims/Survivors of Sexualised Violence)
To whom does Frauennotruf Bielefeld offer counselling?
- All persons, who identify as women (regardless of origin, religion, sexual identity, etc.).
-
Relatives, confidants and supporters (e.g. friends, classmates, colleagues, etc.) of any gender of university members who have experienced harassment or discrimination
Contact
-
Office hours: every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in room UHG B3-134 (direct counselling without prior appointment) by an employee of the Frauenennotruf Bielefeld e.V.
- Outside of office hours, it is possible to contact the Frauenennotruf Bielefeld e.V. directly.
- Email: frauennotruf@uni-bielefeld.de
- Phone: (0521) - 12 42 48, during the following times: Mon., Tue., Wed. and Fri. 10.00 - 12.00 h, Thurs. 14.00 - 18.00 h
- E-Mail: frauennotruf@uni-bielefeld.de
- Website Frauennotruf e.V.
- Website online counselling service
- Website Frauennotruf Service university-internal
- Reporting
Bielefeld University’s intent is to set up a reporting process for cases of sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence that is transparent, comprehensible and effective. An internal task force is currently working on its implementation.
Meanwhile, reports are processed on an ad hoc basis by employees in the Diversity department. Each case is handled individually and to the best of our knowledge and belief. As the processes are still being developed, there may be delays, uncertainties and errors. We ask reporting persons to take this into account and are working hard to ensure process security for everyone involved.
Contact:
E-Mail: diskriminierungserfahrungen@uni-bielefeld.de
Languages: German, English- Complaints Office
The aim of a complaint is to comprehensively investigate events. The university is obligated to carry out an official investigation of the facts. Any misconduct identified in the complaint investigation will be penalised in an appropriate manner.
How do I file a complaint? What should the complaint contain?
- Complaints should be submitted in writing (including email) to the Complaints Office
- As concrete a description/recount as possible of the incident(s) experienced as discriminatory
- Any other relevant documents or records should be attached to the complaint
- A list of witnesses should be included, as so far as there are any
- A list of people within university who have already been informed about incidents and whether or what measures have already been taken
- You’re welcome to cc the decentralised Equal Opportunities Officer or the decentralised Equal Opportunities Commission of your respective Faculty or unit and/or the central Equal Opportunities Office (gleichstellungsbuero@uni-bielefeld.de)
What is an official complaints investigation and how does it work?
- The Complaints Office checks the complaint for plausibility and might ask clarifying questions
- The Complaints Office asks the accused person to comment on the incident and investigates the facts of the case
- The Complaints Office conducts a personal interview with the accused person
- Clues are investigated, evidence is examined and witnesses are questioned
- All parties involved are heard and given the opportunity to comment
- The Complaints Office informs the complainant and the accused of the outcome of the investigation
- If misconduct is found, the Complaints Office will initiate appropriate measures and/or sanctions
- If the complaint investigation does not provide sufficient evidence for the existence of sexualised harassment, discrimination or violence, the proceedings will be discontinued. Nevertheless, it is possible to take measures to resolve the conflict otherwise
What does a complaint mean for (me as) the complainant?
- On request, all conversation with the Complaints Office can be in the presence of a confidant (e.g. friend, colleague, classmate, relative etc.) or with technical or other communication aids (e.g. sign language interpreter, interpreter)
- The Complaints Office can involve those people in charge in the relevant departments or divisions. This applies in particular if immediate measures are required to prevent violence, discrimination or disadvantages
- Complaint investigation measures are at the discretion of the legal advisors - the procedure will not necessarily be discussed with the complainant
- The complainant can withdraw the complaint at any time during the complaint investigation. This will result in the complaint investigation being discontinued. The complainant can also apply for the proceedings to be suspended
Who can contact the complaints offices?
- Affected university staff and members of all genders of any status
- Affected guests and other non-university members, as long as the incident happened on campus grounds and at least one of the people involved is a member of Bielefeld University
Who do I contact if I want to submit a complaint?
- The Complaints Office consists of the legal advisors of the Studies and Teaching and the Human Resources and Organisation departments.
- Complaint against a student: Legal Department S/L (Studies and Teaching)
- Complaint against an employee: Legal Department P/O (Human Resources and Organisation)
- In the event of unclear jurisdiction, the legal advisors will process the complaint together
Contact:
For the interests of students:
- Legal Advisor of the Studies and Teaching Department (S/L): Achim Schade
- Initial contact preferably by e-mail, response follows shortly
- Tel.: 0521 106-3497
- E-Mail: achim.schade@uni-bielefeld.de
For the interests of employees:
- Legal Advisor of the Human Resources and Organisation Department (P/O): Katharina Konrad
- Initial contact preferably by e-mail, response follows shortly
- Tel.: 0521 106-87918