To protect the safety and well-being of everyone within the community,  Amsterdam University College (AUC) will not tolerate harassment, discrimination or sexual violence of any kind. AUC encourages everyone who has experienced or witnessed such incidents at AUC to submit a report or complaint using the form below.

Reports and complaints of discrimination, harassment and sexual violence will always be taken very seriously. The form will be received by the Student Life Officer (studentlifeofficer@auc.nl) and handled confidentially. Anonymous complaints can now also be submitted through this form by not filling in your name or contact information. To make a report of discrimination, harassment or sexual violence (either anonymously or with your contact details, please use the following form:

Support resources

The following sources of support are available for students regarding issues related to harassment and/or sexual violence of any degree:

Dutch Support Services

These services are provided entirely in Dutch in principle, but they might also be able to respond in English to those calling the hotline for advice and help.

For an overview of all student support resources, please download the Student Support Flowchart. 

A note about consent

Consent is Clear, Coherent, Willing, Ongoing 

• Consent is clear. It is expressed through words or actions that create mutually understandable permission. Consent is never implied and the absence of a no is not a yes. Silence, “I’m not sure” “Maybe” “I don’t know” and similar phrases are NOT consent. 
• Consent is coherent. People incapacitated by drugs or alcohol cannot consent. Someone who cannot make rational, reasonable decisions because they lack the capacity to understand the “who, what, when, where, why or how” of the situation cannot consent. People who are asleep or in another vulnerable position cannot consent. 
• Consent is willing. Consent is never given under pressure. Consent is not obtained through psychological or emotional manipulation. Consent cannot be obtained through violence or threat. Someone in an unbalanced power situation (i.e someone under your authority cannot consent). 
• Consent is ongoing. Consent must be granted every time. Consent must be obtained at each step of physical intimacy. If someone consents to one sexual activity, they may or may not be willing to go further.

Definitions to keep in mind:

Discrimination refers to the differential treatment or proposed differential treatment of different categories of people on the grounds of their race, ethnicity, national origin, culture, language, sex (including pregnancy and gender expression), marital and parental status, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political beliefs, genetic information, age and ability.

Harassment refers to unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, non-verbal, physical or through online media, including intimidation, ridicule, insults, comments, threats of violence or physical conduct, that is based on an individual’s characteristics such as listed above and/or is aimed at or results in a threatening, hostile, insulting, humiliating or offensive situation. Hazing and stalking are forms of harassment.

Bullying is repeated and offensive, insulting or hurtful behaviour directed towards a person or group of people that often involves the abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying can take various forms, including name calling, sarcasm, teasing and unwarranted criticism, as well as threats of violence or actual physical violence. Bullying through online media is often referred to as cyberbullying.

Hazing is any action taken or situation created that, intentionally or unintentionally, produces mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, as a condition for an individual to be admitted into or feel an accepted member of a particular organisation or community, regardless of the willingness of the individual to participate.

How can you tell if what you are planning might be considered hazing? Is a selected group being singled out for ritual? Would you feel comfortable participating in this activity if your parents were watching? Is it humiliating, exhausting, or intimidating? Will it result in physical or emotional discomfort (including ridicule)? Could it endanger anyone’s health or safety? Remember, what you think is “harmless fun" might be experienced as deeply 

AUC policy for instances of harassment, discrimination and sexual violence

This policy document is part of a broader series of actions that AUC is taking to uphold a diverse and inclusive academic environment. It outlines AUC’s commitment to prevention, awareness of, and intervention in instances of harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence through continual investment, education and training. More generally, AUC encourages everyone to cultivate an awareness of the effects of their actions on others and to treat all within the community with compassion and respect.

AUC is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive, supportive and safe environment, based on the fundamental belief that everyone has the right to live, study and work in a safe and supportive environment, free from abuse, harassment and/or assault. Our general commitment derives its meaning in the more specific aims, measures and procedures by which it is implemented. The AUC policy for instances of harassment, discrimination and sexual violence (PHADISE) lays down these implications. It delineates the features of a transparent, robust system for disclosure, reporting and seeking support, including the establishment of clear protocols for handling complaints of harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence/misconduct.

The AUC MT adopted PHADISE on 17 October 2022, and work has now begun on implementation of and communication about its elements, to ensure greater visibility and awareness of PHADISE.