Stalking and prolonged complaints
- What is it?
If you are regularly hassled by another person against your will, you may be a victim of stalking. Stalking is a very intrusive form of annoyance and intimidation and can be a criminal offence. If you are being stalked, it is important not to keep it to yourself. Contact the social safety coordinators for help.
Another form of stalking involves the prolonged and persistent expression of grievances or complaints. The purpose of this is not the complaint itself, but to keep your attention. It can sometimes take on extreme forms and cross the line. There are examples where lecturers have to deal with individual students who persistently complain.
- What can you do?
If you are dealing with stalking or prolonged complaints, discuss this with someone you trust. The social safety coordinators can provide you with advice and assistance. We will draw up a plan of action with you. If the person you tried to cut off persists tos talk you, you can also consider reporting it tot he police. The police will then interview the stalker in order to bring a halt to it.
Sexual harassment and violence
- What is it?
Sexual harrassment occurs frequently among young adults. We believe it is important for victims of sexual violence to report it in order to enable appropriate assistance to be provided. If you are a victim of sexual violence, you may experience concentration problems, PTSD or symptoms of depression. It can become more difficult to study or work.
Even more people deal with sexual intimidation, such as verbal or non-verbal behaviours, being touched, slutshaming and sexting.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has signed the Amnesty International manifesto against sexual violence. By signing it, the University is accepting its responsibility to tackle the problem.
Read the manifesto
- What can you do?
Seek help. First make sure to set boundaries and put yourself in a place of safety. Confide in someone and talk about it. Keep evidence. If sexual harassment leads to an unsafe situation and you want to take action, you can contact the social safety coordinators. They can advice you or refer you to the appropriate organisation or, if necessary and desired, contact the police. If the suspected perpetrator is a VU student or employee and you are feeling unsafe at VU Amsterdam, we will draw up a plan of action to ensure you can feel safe again. This is always done in consultation and you will remain in control at all times.
If you want someone to listen to you or are you unsure whether you want to proceed to take action? Contact the confidential counsellor for students or for employees.
For more information, consult Sexual Assault Center.
Domestic violence:
- What is it?
Domestic violence is any kind of violence that takes place in the home or within the family circle. Domestic violence occurs in a number of different forms, such as physical violence, sexual violence, honour-related violence or psychological and verbal violence. Examples of violence include:
- targeted aggression, for example yelling or hitting;
- neglect;
- undesired sexual advances;
- threats to your safety because you have ‘violated’ family honour.
The effects of domestic violence can be very damaging, leading for example to medical conditions and mental health problems.
- What can you do if you experience domestic violence?
Because domestic violence doesn’t stop by itself, it’s important to ask for help: get help from people who can assist you. And if you are ever in immediate danger, get to a safe place and call 112.
Emergency services can help you make up a plan to increase your safety in the longer term.
If you are experiencing domestic violence but there is no situation of acute danger, take someone you trust into your confidence and talk to them about it. You can also call Veilig Thuis (‘safe at home’) at 0800-2000 for advice and support. You can tell them your story, and do so anonymously if you want. You can also contact them when you suspect someone you know is the victim of domestic violence.
Talk to a student advisor, confidential counsellor or social safety coordinator. The social safety coordinators can give you advice or refer you to the appropriate assistance. They are in close contact with the Blijf Groep and can consult with the local police in order to increase the safety.
Honour-related violence
- What is it?
Honour-related violence refers to acts committed by family members when they feel the family honour has been damaged. In order to ‘restore’ honour, as they believe, the victims – male and female – are rejected, threatened or abused.
- In what situations can you contact the social safety coordinators?
- If you refuse to marry someone against your will.
- If your family does not allow you to get a divorce.
- If you are afraid of kidnapping by your family.
- If you are in a same-sex relationship and your family is against this.
- If you are dealing with exposing, sexting or any other form of sexual harassment.
- If you are being monitored and your freedom is being curtailed.
- If you feel threatened by your family for any other reason.
- What you can do yourself:
Are you dealing with honour-related violence? Or do you know someone who is in trouble and is looking for help? You can go to the Kenniscentrum Eer & Veiligheid (Honour & Safety Knowledge Centre) for advice and help with family honour issues. Do not wait until things get worse or go wrong! Do you need help immediately? Then call 088 234 24 50 (7 days a week, 24 hours a day). In case of immediate danger, do not take any chances! Always call 112.
The Honor & Safety Knowledge Centre staff will also hold a walk-in clinic at VU (location HG-0E.74a) on the following days in 2023:
- 11 and 23 January
- 8 and 20 February
- 8 and 20 March
- 5 and 17 April
- 3, 15 and 31 May
- 12 and 28 June
- 10 and 26 July
- 7 and 23 August (due to summer holidays not at the location, but only via e-mail: kenniscentrumeer@blijfgroep.nl)
- 4 and 20 September
- 2, 18 and 30 October
- 15 and 27 November
- 13 December
The time is from 2:00-4:00 pm. It is not necessary to make an appointment. You may have to wait for a while because someone else is in the room. Complete confidentiality applies to these conversations. We understand very well that confidentiality is of great importance.
Inappropriate behaviour online
- What is it?
There are increasing incidences of people experiencing inappropriate behaviour via WhatsApp or social media. Examples include racist messages on social media, sexist comments in WhatsApp groups, or messages from fake accounts. These can be hurtful and make you feel unsafe. It can also be a form of bullying.
- What can you do?
Make it clear that you find the message annoying and that it offends you. Keep a record of the messages. Talk to other people about it. Consider blocking the sender of the messages. Report it to the social safety coordinators.
Suicidality or confused behaviour
Do you need help now? 113 suicide prevention is here for you 24/7. Call 0800-0113 free of charge or chat on 113.nl.
Are you worried about a (fellow) student, a teacher or a colleague who is expressing suicidal thoughts or showing signs of mental health issues? VU Amsterdam has produced a guide to give you some tools for how to act in this situation. This guide can be used by employees, PhD candidates and students. Feel free to pass this link on to anyone you know, especially anyone you think may need it.
Do you need help yourself? VU Amsterdam offers support for mental health problems. Students can contact the Student Wellbeing Point and consult a student psychologist. Employees can obtain counselling from one of our occupational social workers. This support is mostly temporary and related to your studies or your work at VU Amsterdam. For long-term support, you should consult your general practitioner.