Preventative Action Plan against Gendered and Sexual Harassment and Violence

Article 1. Objective.

To prevent sexual harassment, gendered harassment and violence at Bifröst University.

An environment of mutual respect shall be promoted in the university community, for example by improving understanding and awareness that sexual harassment, gendered harassment and violence represent behaviour that will not be permitted.  

Article 2. Definitions.

The term gendered harassment describes behaviour that is tied to the recipient’s gender, is against that person’s wishes and has the purpose or impact of offending the dignity of that person and creating circumstances that are threatening, hostile, condescending, humiliating or insulting. Harassment may be physical, verbal or symbolic. A single incident may be considered gendered harassment.

The term sexual harassment describes sexual behaviour of any kind that is against the wishes of the recipient and has the purpose or impact of offending the dignity of that person, particularly when the behaviour creates circumstances that are threatening, hostile, condescending, humiliating or insulting. The behaviour may be verbal, symbolic and/or physical. A single incident may be considered sexual harassment.

The term gendered violence describes violence on the grounds of gender that leads or may lead to physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to the recipient, as well as threats of such violence, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, both in private life and the public sphere.

The term sexual violence describes violations against an individual’s sexual agency that are punishable under Chapter XXII of Iceland’s Penal Code, Act. No. 19/1940.

The term employees refers to all those who work for the University, whether they are persons employed in academic or other positions, contractors or sessional lecturers.

The terms cooperation, communication and association describe meetings, classes, workshops, gatherings, e-mail communications, social media, phone conversations and other circumstances that may arise in connection with university operations.

The term work and study conditions refers to all aspects of university operations, such as the study and work environment, the organisational structure and housing. This encompasses those circumstances that students and employees must navigate in their work or studies.

The term parties to the case describes the person(s) considered as having committed the offence and the person(s) considered to have been the victim of that offence.

Article 3. Preventative Action.

For all work and study conditions within the University, care shall be taken to minimise the risk of conditions being created that may potentially lead to sexual harassment, gendered harassment or violence.

All new students and employees at the University shall be informed that we tolerate neither sexual harassment or violence nor gendered harassment or violence, and that we have documented procedures in place regarding this.

All employees and students of the University shall be regularly familiarised with documented procedures on the response to gendered violence and harassment and sexual harassment and violence.

All employees and students of the University shall be thoroughly familiarised with the Code of Ethics for Bifröst University, as well as rules on students’ rights and responsibilities at Bifröst University.

It is imperative to install a good surveillance system (security cameras) for open areas within the University and that this system be well marked and visible so as to act as a deterrent.

At larger open and advertised events held by the University (or NFHB) or its students, security persons shall be present, who shall be visible and ready to respond if necessary.

Care shall be taken to ensure that the preventative action plan and documented procedures concerning gendered harassment and violence and sexual harassment and violence, together with the Bifröst University Code of Ethics, are prominently displayed on the University’s webs, where notification buttons for reporting harassment and violence shall be positioned in prominent locations.

Article 4. University Administrators and Management.

Administrators, persons in management positions at the University and student representatives shall set a good example by their conduct and treat their colleagues and students with mutual respect and courtesy.

Persons in management positions shall be well informed about documented procedures and the University’s Code of Ethics.

 

Reviewed at a meeting of the University Council, May 15th 2019

Approved by the Rector, June 4th 2019

 

_{This is a translation of the document Áætlun um forvarnir vegna kynbundins og kynferðislegs áreitis og ofbeldis. In the event of any discrepancies between the translation and the original text, the original shall take precedence.}