Women in Biology Initiative at the Faculty of Life Sciences

Sexual and Gender-related Harassment

STOP VIOLENCE!

If you face or witness harassment (sexual and non-sexual) and/or discrimination, don't hesitate to reach out to the Supporting Organisations.

Download the Contact Brochure (PDF)

Illustration of two people comforting a distressed person, symbolising emotional support.

Emergency Contacts

Services

Telephone Number

Security Team of The University of Vienna

+43-1-4277-777

24-hours Women’s Emergency Helpline Vienna (counselling in several languages)

+43-1-71719

Women’s Helpline

0800/222 555

Emergency Helpline for Men

0800/246 247

Police

133 or 112

SMS Police

0800/133 133

Violence Prevention and Victim Protection

is a legal duty of your superiors, your teachers, and the university management to keep you safe and take care of your welfare at the University of Vienna and in all related activities.

Informational graphic from the University of Vienna stating that supervisors and teachers are responsible for the well-being and safety of staff and students.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is conduct related to the sexual sphere which is unwanted, inappropriate, degrading, insulting, or offensive to the affected person and which occurs at the workplace or in the study environment at the University. Sexual harassment can take many forms: 

  • Physical sexual harassment, such as sexual assault, (intensive) touching of the buttocks, breasts, thighs, lips or similar, (attempted) rape.
  • Verbal sexual harassment, such as sexist remarks, repeated unwanted invitations, degrading remarks.
  • Non-verbal sexual harassment, such as repeated sexist stares, abusive gestures, showing or putting up sexist images, sending sexually explicit messages.
Graphic from the University of Vienna explaining the difference between consensual flirting and sexual harassment, emphasizing mutual consent and the absence of pressure or discomfort.

What Is Gender-related Harassment?

Behaviour that violates someone’s dignity based on their gender, marital status or caring and nursing duties:

  • Anti-women, anti-male, anti-trans and interhostile remarks or “jokes”.
  • Insistent or insulting questions about marital status or family planning.
  • Hurtful comments about people who apply for parental or carer’s leave.
  • Repeated, involuntary “outing” of other people as inter, trans or non-binary or questioning their gender identity.
Graphic explaining that statements such as ‘I did not mean it’ are not an excuse for violating dignity and that such behaviour constitutes sexual harassment, illustrated with examples of mocking and sexist comments.

Immediate Acts When Facing Harassment

If you are personally affected

  • Tell others clearly that you do not want this behaviour.
  • Get help, e.g. by shouting loudly, contacting the security team, keeping an eye out for witnesses.
  • Document any incident (report from memory).
  • Get professional support also after the incident. Talk to us or one of the other counselling services. 

If you witnessed an incident

  • Offer help.
  • Tell the harasser to stop their behaviour immediately.
  • Offer to act as a witness. • Get help from a counselling service, also as a witness.

Legal Situation

  • Sexual harassment can have disciplinary consequences and/or consequences according to labour law.
  • Depending on the seriousness of the case, it may be punished with expulsion, an administrative fine, a penalty or dismissal.
Graphic encouraging bystander intervention in cases of harassment, stating ‘Do not look away’ and advising support for victims and respect for their wishes.