Report discrimination / lodge a complaint
Speak up if you experience or observe discriminatory behaviour yourself. Your concern is important to us. We encourage everyone to talk to us, especially if you are unsure whether your concern is relevant or clear.
You can contact us by phone or email for an initial interview (anonymous if you wish) or if you have any questions. You are also welcome to fill out our contact form and send it to us. We will contact you and discuss further steps. We will treat your concerns confidentially and respect data protection.
If you are considering filing a complaint, we will inform you about the further steps and the procedure.
The person concerned lodges a complaint. The complaint may be lodged verbally or in writing. Oral complaints will be documented by the the contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) and agreed upon with the complainant. If necessary, the contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) will provide further means of assistance or engage interpreters to help those concerned express themselves.
The contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) informs the complainants about their rights and how the procedure works. They also point out other support options.
Information and immediate measures
The contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) informs the University’s Executive Board that a procedure is underway and, if necessary, makes a proposal for immediate measures.
Recording the facts of the case
When recording and clarifying the details of the matter, all parties involved and, if applicable, witnesses are included and heard. Immediately after receiving the complaint, the contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) will ask the person accused of misconduct to make a statement. A personal interview is then conducted. Witnesses will also be interviewed or asked for their statements. In addition, if the persons concerned agree, the contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) can call in other advisors as well as the Viadrina Conflict Management or other mediators.
The contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) documents all hearings and details of the matter.
Handover and decision
After determining the details of the matter, the contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) will pass the procedure on to the University’s Executive Board for a decision. The contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) will submit an opinion on the matter to the University’s Executive Board.
The University’s Executive Board informs the parties involved about the outcome of the procedure. In appropriate cases, it asks the contact point for protection aganist discrimination (= complaints office) to accompany the implementation of decided measures.
In order to protect the person making the complaint, the University’s Executive Board can take measures quickly, should this be necessary. These can be, for example, house or access bans, but also the exclusion from courses or the ban on using university facilities. In serious cases, the European University Viadrina can file criminal charges.
