What does your role as Coordinator Safety and Behavior involve?
As coordinators safety and behavior, we focus on concerning behavior. Through prevention, awareness-raising, early identification, and our visible presence, we contribute to a safe campus for students, staff, and visitors. Based on reports we receive, we carry out risk assessments and, where necessary, take action to maintain or restore safety. In doing so, we support those involved and help them move forward with their request for assistance.
Can you tell us something about the reports you receive?
‘We receive approximately 150 reports of concerning behavior each year. Most of these come from students, with a smaller proportion from staff. The majority of reports concern suicidality and threats. Stalking, intimidation, and domestic violence are also reported regularly. In a very limited number of cases, reports involve honor-related issues or radicalization.
Although the reports differ in nature and complexity, I can say with considerable confidence that we are able to address, resolve, or restore every situation, tailored to the reporter’s request for help and specific needs. We always look at what is appropriate and feasible in each individual situation, working closely with a broad network both within and outside VU Amsterdam. I sometimes describe us as the spiders in the web. Within VU Amsterdam, for example, we are in close contact with faculties, student psychologists, student deans, and academic advisors. This is important so that they can refer people to us effectively, and also because cases often involve multiple overlapping aspects. For instance, a student dealing with stalking may also require alternative housing, and the situation may lead to study-related problems.’
How do you handle reports related to suicidality, for example?
‘If there is an acute threat, we immediately ensure that campus security and the police are involved. In less urgent but still concerning situations - where students or colleagues observe signals of suicidality - we invite the student or colleague concerned for a conversation. During that meeting, we assess how urgent the situation is and what actions or care are required. We then guide people towards regular support services, such as their general practitioner, the municipal health services (GGD), or other specialized organizations. These organizations are equipped to deal with this type of request for help. Where necessary, we support people in taking that step and in accepting help.’
How do reports reach you?
‘They reach us in many different ways. A student may be concerned about another student. A staff member may report concerns about a colleague, or about a student - for example, a lecturer reporting concerns about a student. It may also be that someone is dealing with concerning behavior in their private life that could have consequences on campus. External parties can also raise concerns about someone affiliated with the VU Amsterdam. Essentially, anyone who is concerned about someone’s safety in relation to concerning behavior can contact us. People can reach us by email, which is listed on the webpage containing all information about the coordinators safety and behavior.’
What happens after someone contacts you?
‘We always start with a conversation. This allows the person reporting to explain what is happening, and together we explore what we can do. We also ask what the person hopes to achieve with the report and what their request for help is. Based on all the information, we make a risk assessment. Often, we also test that assessment with other experts, such as a community police officer, the police, or a Blijf Groep. Our approach is always tailored care. It has to be, because there are so many different types of cases, and even within those categories, situations vary widely. One case of stalking is not the same as another, and there are enormous differences among people experiencing confused behavior.
The reporter retains control, because as coordinators we generally do nothing without consent. Generally, because if someone poses a danger to themselves or others, we are compelled to take action. This may involve referring someone for care or implementing precautionary measures. We always communicate this clearly.
I often say to reporters: “It is your life; you are the main character, and you decide how things unfold.” At the same time, I outline how we might approach the situation. In doing so, I draw on my experience and expertise, also to explain whether a particular approach is likely to be effective and what would therefore be appropriate. Sometimes we have multiple conversations at the outset, because building trust is essential. Reporters need to know what they can expect from me in order to dare to take the next step, for example, reporting to the police or to Safe Home (Veilig Thuis). We are not care providers ourselves, but we ensure that people are guided towards the right care. We only let go when we truly feel that we can do so responsibly and we have provided aftercare.’
How do you involve the person who is the subject of a report?
‘In almost all cases, we apply the principle of hearing both sides and invite the person concerned by email for a conversation with us. During that meeting, we explain that we want to hear all perspectives, allowing the individual to share their side of the story. We explore what has happened and how it was experienced, so that we can gain a thorough understanding of the situation. This enables us to identify appropriate solutions and next steps, with the aim of ensuring a safe environment for everyone at VU Amsterdam.’
We can also play a significant preventive role
‘Sometimes situations involve a risk of an unsafe situation developing, without certainty that it will actually occur. An example is a student who is being stalked, where the behavior mainly takes place in a private setting. Even then, there may be reason to take precautionary measures at VU Amsterdam, for instance if the stalker threatens to seek out the individual on campus. It is important for students to know that we can also provide preventive support in such cases. This might include informing campus security or contacting the community police officer, so that the police can act quickly if necessary.
Such situations do not occur only among students but also among staff. In these cases, we look together at preventive steps, such as providing VU Amsterdam’s emergency contact numbers and briefly reviewing online visibility to assess whether publicly available information can be adjusted or removed. Staff sometimes say it feels excessive to share a concern, while in fact being prepared and making clear arrangements can help them feel safer on their way to and during work.
That this is helpful is evident from the feedback we regularly receive from students and staff. They often say: “I wish I had contacted you sooner. It’s such a relief to be able to talk about this,” and “I didn’t expect you to be able to help so much.”’
So what happens in someone’s private life can also affect the campus?
‘Yes, absolutely. Students and staff sometimes wonder why the university needs to know about a particular situation. We do not want to bring everything that happens off campus inside by default, but situations that (may) have an impact on campus can be important to be aware of. VU Amsterdam is a dynamic organization, and our campus functions like a sort of village. Moreover, the campus is open and accessible; anyone can enter. As a result, some situations from the private sphere do not always remain confined there and may also have repercussions on campus. That is why it is important for students and staff to know how to find us when it comes to concerning behavior.’
What are signals of concerning behavior that students and staff should look out for?
‘I think the very first signal is a gut feeling that something is “off”; a sense that something is not right. It is often a sudden change in someone’s behavior. For example, someone may suddenly withdraw, or conversely become extremely restless, start sending confused emails or messages, or make extreme statements that are out of character. These can be indicators of concerning behavior.
It is important that people report such signals to us in a timely manner, because often people wait a long time. Or they feel they have to help the other person themselves. Lecturers, for instance, may notice signs of concerning behavior in a student and feel panicked, which is understandable. Sometimes they then cross their own boundaries; sharing their private phone number and messaging with the student every day, sometimes even late into the evening. This is often well-intentioned and humanly understandable, but there are limits. We want to prevent people from taking on responsibility for something that does not belong to them and for which they may be insufficiently equipped. What matters is that they recognize the signals and pass them on, for example to the education coordinator, or directly to us.’
What motivates you in this work?
‘I have always been fascinated by people and the behavior they display. This work requires care, responsibility, and connection - values that are also important to me personally. I want people to be able to look back on a positive time at VU Amsterdam. And I want to have contributed to that by guiding situations properly and de-escalating them when necessary, so that people could continue their studies or go to work despite difficult circumstances.
I feel proud when a situation has been handled well and when people are satisfied with the support we have been able to provide. That is very often the case. There have also been situations involving intensive trajectories in which you build a special bond. In some of those cases, I am certain that both the reporter and I will still think back on them ten years from now.’
How do you, as a coordinator, maintain your own balance?
‘I am fortunate to work in a very supportive team and with managers who value me and my work and who support me. They truly stand behind me and also offer protection when needed. That is extremely important, because as coordinators safety and behavior we carry a great deal of responsibility. In addition, I enjoy exercising, and my bike ride home from work always helps; it allows me to let things go and clear my head.’
Need help?
Are you having thoughts of suicide, or are you worried about someone else? Contact 113 Suicide Prevention (anonymously) at 0800-0113 or start a chat at 113.nl.
