Anti-Discrimination at the University of Bamberg

The Anti-Discrimination Office offers solution- and resource-oriented counselling and referral advice for persons affected by discrimination, as well as witnesses and confidants. All inquiries are treated with strict confidentiality.

In a counselling session, we will reflect on the situation, clarify individual needs and goals, and talk about possible courses of action and support. Any doubts, uncertainties and questions are welcome. If possible, further steps can also be taken while ensuring the anonymity of the person seeking advice.

Options for action and support in cases of discrimination can include:

• Monitoring incidents and reports of discrimination,
• Provision of informational material and resources for affected persons,
• Referring to other university offices or external bodies with relevant expertise,
• Supporting affected persons in independently addressing experiences of discrimination,
• Activation of resources,
• Low-threshold interventions (e.g., facilitating and assisting in conflict resolution meetings),
• Referral to legal advice, psychosocial counselling, etc.,
• Support during complaint procedures upon request

You can contact the Anti-Discrimination Office using a contact form and submit a report anonymously.

Nevertheless, we encourage you to schedule a counselling session, during which you can reflect on the experienced discrimination and on options for action and support. If possible in a given situation, further steps can also be taken by the Anti-Discrimination Office while ensuring the anonymity of the person seeking advice.

The work of the university’s Anti-Discrimination Office is based on the General Act on Equal Treatment (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG) as well as the university “Respecting Boundaries” guidelines. This includes:

• Counselling and referral advice in both German and English,
• Monitoring incidents and reports of discrimination,
• Provision of informational material and resources for affected persons,
• Preventive measures, training programmes, empowerment,
• Identification of discrimination and structural discrimination risks,
• Low-threshold interventions,
• Positive measures as well as compensation for disadvantages according to § 5 AGG,
• Measures to protect against discrimination according to § 12 AGG,
• Referral to the complaints body according to § 13 AGG, where a complaint can be filed.

The work of the Anti-Discrimination Agency aims to enable and promote a qualified approach todealing with discrimination.

Please note: No legal advice is provided. The Anti-Discrimination Officeis not a complaints body under the AGG.

To ensure that the Anti-Discrimination Office provides a safe space for persons affected by discrimination, its work is guided by the following principles:

• All inquiries are treated with strict confidentiality.
• No information will be shared with other university departments. If other university bodies are to be involved in counselling or a complaint, this will only occur with the written consent of the person concerned.
• The Anti-Discrimination Office takes an advocacy-oriented approach. It focuses on the individual needs of the person seeking advice.
• Counselling aims to strengthen the affected person’s ability to act (= empowerment) and, in accordance with individual needs, to make options of support and resources available at both the individual and university level.

Furthermore, the university's anti-discrimination work takes the following principles into account:

• All diversity characteristics are equally important and worthy of protection (= horizontal approach).
• Experiences of discrimination can stem from multiple causes. Discriminatory characteristics and structures can interact and reinforce each other (= intersectionality).
• The work of the contact person for anti-discrimination includes continuous reflection on structural and societal power relations as well as the self-reflection on their own positioning within the counselling context.
• To ensure the quality of anti-discrimination work, counseling and support services are continuously improved.

In the situation:

• Keep calm. Be mindful of yourself and your boundaries.
• Consider what you would like to achieve in the given situation (e.g., to end the situation, to point out discriminatory behavior) and how you want to react.
• If possible: Make it clear that you will not tolerate discriminatory behavior. Take a stand and name the misconduct.
• Seek support from people who are in this situation with you.
• Gather evidence. Speak to witnesses and ask for their contact information.
• Important: Do not put yourself in danger. In case of immediate danger, call the police (110).

After the incident:

• Write down what happened. You can also ask witnesses to write down their recollections. A template for a memory log(973.9 KB) is available on the website of the Anti-Discrimination Office.
• Make sure to take good care of yourself. Seek emotional support from your social network, such as family and friends.
• Report the incident and seek professional help. In a confidential counselling session (e.g., at the Anti-Discrimination Office), you can talk about the situation in a safe space and consider how to proceed.

Further options/steps for addressing discrimination:

• To address discrimination, it can be helpful to clarify the issue directly with the person who discriminated against you. This can be done in writing (e.g., via email) or in a conversation. Upon request, the Anti-Discrimination Office can provide support with these steps and act as a moderator in a conversation.
• Involving other university departments or external bodies with relevant expertise may be helpful.
• Legal advice can help assess the legal situation and explore legal options.
• If a low-threshold solution cannot be found, filing an official complaint may be advisable. The Anti-Discrimination Office can provide advice, explain the process transparently, and, if desired, accompany you through it.

In the situation:

• Stay calm. Be mindful of yourself and your own boundaries.
• Take every situation that appears to be discriminatory seriously.
• Talk to the person concerned. Ask them how they perceive the situation.
• Intervene and stop the situation. Protect the person concerned.
• Seek support from anyone who is in this situation with you.
• If possible: Make it clear that you will not tolerate discriminatory behavior. Take a stand and name the misconduct.
• Offer your support. Do not take any further steps without the consent of the person concerned. Respect their wishes and needs.
• Gather evidence. Speak to witnesses and ask for their contact information.
• Important: Do not put yourself in danger. In case of immediate danger, call the police (110).

After the incident:

• Write down what happened. A template for a memory log(973.9 KB) is available on the website of the Anti-Discrimination Office.
• Reflect on your behavior in the situation.
• Make sure to take good care of yourself. Seek emotional support from your social network, such as family and friends, or in professional counseling.

At the University of Bamberg, we are committed to a respectful and sensitive working and study environment. Thus, it is essential to reflect on your own behavior and take feedback regarding any actions violating other people’s boundaries seriously.

Please consider the following aspects:

• Openness and sensitivity: Always take feedback regarding own discriminatory behavior seriously and respond to them with openness. If you are unsure whether you have discriminated, contact a counseling center to discuss the situation and, if necessary, seek professional advice. Be sensitive and respectful towards the person you might have discriminated against. Do not trivialize the situation.
• Self-reflection and change of perspective: Take time and space to reflect on your behavior in the given situation. What exactly happened? How did your behavior affect the other person? Empathize with the other person and try to understand their position and perceptions.
• Initiate a conversation and apologize: Talk to the person whom you discriminated against. In an open and respectful conversation, questions can be clarified, any misunderstandings can be resolved, and a sensitive, constructive way of handling the situation can be found. If you have discriminated against someone, apologize and adjust your behavior.
• Change your behavior: Consider how you can adjust your behavior in similar situations in the future. Take advantage of opportunities for further education and reflection to raise your awareness of behavior that violates boundaries.
• Take a stand: Learn about discrimination and its impact on those affected. Commit to treating others with sensitivity and be a role model for others.

It is understandable that accusations of discriminatory behavior can trigger strong emotions and lead to defensive reactions. The willingness to learn from mistakes and to develop personally are crucial steps in fostering a discrimination-sensitive environment at our university. Therefore, always take feedback about your own misconduct seriously. We encourage you to seek support if necessary.

A sensitive approach to dealing with reports of discrimination is a sign of leadership quality. If you notice, that boundaries are violated or if students or employees ask for your help, you must take action.

Keep the following aspects in mind:

• Keep calm. Be empathetic and listen.
• Take all reports of discriminating and harassing behavior seriously. Such behavior must not be tolerated, downplayed, or ignored.
• Treat all conversations confidentially.
• Discuss with the person concerned what further support they need.
• Do not do anything without the consent of the person concerned. They decide what further steps should be taken. Encourage the person to seek advice and support from a qualified professional.
• If necessary, take measures to protect the person concerned.
• If you are unsure how to proceed in such a situation, please contact the anti-discrimination office or another counseling body.
• Be a role model for students and staff in terms of fair and respectful behavior. Foster an open, appreciative, and respectful work and study environment.

Information available in German:

Network “Anti-Discrimination at Universities” (Website)

Publications of the Antidiskriminierungsverband Deutschland: 

• “Antidiskriminierungsberatung in der Praxis. Die Standards des advd ausbuchstabiert.” (Publication)
• “Antidiskriminierung an Hochschulen – Lernen, Vernetzen, Handeln” (Publication)

Publications of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency: 

• “Bausteine für einen systematischen Diskriminierungsschutz an Hochschulen” (Publication)