What principles does Masaryk University apply to dealing with cases of sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is a very serious form of inappropriate behaviour and is not tolerated at Masaryk University. The university applies the following principles to dealing with sexual harassment:

Available assistance

Masaryk University provides counselling to victims, witnesses and those accused of sexual harassment, approaches them with an offer of assistance and provides the relevant information. All the necessary information and contacts are available on the website so that anyone can access them without having to explain their situation first. Contact persons provide information on possible solutions and assistance both inside and outside the university, so that the person making a report can choose the solution that suits him/her best. If the complainant contacts the contact persons, they offer to listen with understanding; they will not downplay the situation and will not push this person in any way. Psychological counselling is also available as part of university assistance.

Victim protection

The safety of the person reporting the incident is a priority for MU and its representatives. The contact person who primarily communicates with this person remains the same all the time. The number of people involved in the resolution process is minimised. All people involved are bound to maintain confidentiality. We prevent secondary victimisation of the victim. The protection of the victim continues even after the resolution of the incident at all levels of working or study life.

Prevention of bias

Any people who could have a personal interest in the outcome of the resolution process are excluded from the resolution of the case (e.g., colleagues who do not want to harm their colleague). This protects both sides of the incident from bias.

Maintaining the objectivity of the resolution

A different person deals with each party to the incident. These people communicate with each other only to the extent of communicating the facts found.

Principle of confidentiality

All people involved in the resolution process are bound by confidentiality obligations. The information about the incident is kept confidential.