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Equal treatment

The Swedish Defence University has zero tolerance on all forms of discrimination, harassment and abusive treatment.

If you or someone else is a victim

Talk to the Swedish Defence University's contact person if you wish to ask questions or make a report. Contact details can be found at the bottom of this page. The Swedish Defence University has a duty to act if it becomes known that a student has been subjected to harassment or sexual harassment.

If you have been subjected to any unwelcome behaviour, remember that you are the one who decides whether it is unwanted or perceived as abusive. It is therefore important to alert the person involved that their behaviour is unwelcome. In some situations, the abuse may be so obvious that no remarks are required from the person who feels harassed, for example if someone calls you derogatory gender names or makes racist remarks.

If you experience harassment, you should:

Clearly indicate that their behaviour is not welcome. Although it may be difficult, it is important that the person who is harassing you is made aware that their behaviour is not welcome. You can talk to the person, send an email or ask someone else to talk to the harasser.

Notify your Director of Studies or someone else at FHS about what has happened.

Write down what happened and how it made you feel. Note what happened and save any letters, emails, texts or social media posts. Documenting and saving information will help you remember times, places and other things that can support your story and help the investigation move forward.

Always report a crime to the police

If you are victim of a crime, it is important that you report it to the police. In some cases sexual harassment can be a crime, for example sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is when someone violates your personal sexual integrity. Examples are if someone sends you unsolicited pictures with sexual content, makes unwanted sexual suggestions, exposes themselves or gropes you. You can always call the police for advice about your particular case. You can also turn to the SEDU for advice and support in reporting the incident to the police.

What happens to the report?

Reports of harassment, sexual harassment and abusive treatment are handled according to the Swedish Defence University's procedures for suspicion of harassment, sexual harassment and abusive treatment Pdf, 193 kB. and the guidelines for disciplinary cases and expulsion from studies Pdf, 280.7 kB..

A student who is guilty of harassment can be suspended from his or her studies for a certain period of time. Read more about a safe study environment and how an investigation is conducted.

What do the terms mean?

Are you uncertain what discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or abusive treatment mean? Below you will find explanations of these terms.

Discrimination is a violation of human rights and means that a person is treated differently from anyone else in a comparable situation because of:
  • Gender
  • Gender identity
  • Ethnicity
  • Sexual orientation
  • Religion or other belief
  • Age
  • Disability

Harassment is a form of discrimination. It is conduct that violates a person's dignity and is associated with any of the grounds for discrimination (gender, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or other belief, age or disability). Harassment may be:

  • Spreading rumours
  • Disparaging, generalising comments, speech or jokes
  • Spreading degrading or ridiculing images or text

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination. It is behaviour with sexual innuendos that offend someone's dignity. Sexual harassment may include:

  • Sexually charged comments, suggestions, jokes or nicknames
  • Spreading pornographic images, texts or objects
  • Offensive gestures or staring at someone
  • Touching that is perceived as unpleasant or offensive

Abusive treatment is directed at one or more people who are offensively excluded from the community of the workplace, or a study group. Abusive treatment may be:

  • Bullying
  • Psychological violence
  • Social exclusion

A safe place to study and work

The Defence University must be a safe place for everyone. Our work against discrimination and discriminatory treatment is carried out in our Checkpoint project. Checkpoint arranges discussion forums, seminars and lectures that highlight discrimination and discriminatory treatment and how it can be combated.

Checkpoint's work is based on the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, EU treaties and Swedish legislation, which state that all human beings are equal and that you, as a student, must be protected from negative discrimination.

Join us and make a difference

The Swedish Defence University is committed to involving students in the work against discrimination and discriminatory treatment.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the work in Checkpoint, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can always turn to the SEDU for advice and support if you have experienced any harassment or abusive treatment. Talk to a teacher or someone else at the college you trust. A good person to talk to is SEDU Equality Officer Peter Armstrong or Student Counsellor Desirée Hervard. You can also turn to others for advice and support, both inside and outside the college. Below, you will find information and contact details to some of the most important units.

Student Union

The Student Union at SEDU advocate and promote the interests of students at the university. They can give you support and advice if you feel vulnerable in your study environment.
Student Union of the Swedish Defence University

Student Health Service

SEDU is affiliated to the Student Health Service in Stockholm. On their website, you can book appointments with a nurse of a psychologists.

The Discrimination Ombudsman (DO) is a government agency that works to promote equal rights and opportunities and combat discrimination. The DO can provide advice and answer questions. You can also turn to the DO to report any discrimination.
DO
Switchboard: 08-120 20 700
Toll-free: 020-36 36 66

The Crime Victim Authority answers questions about crime via its website and telephone.
Brottsoffermyndigheten
Telephone: 090-70 82 00

Kvinnofridslinjen (Phone line for abused women) is a national support line for victims of threats, violence or sexual assault, open 24 hours a day. The call is free of charge and does not appear on the telephone bill.
Kvinnofridslinjen
Toll-free: 020-50 50 50

Mansjouren (Men’s emergency organization) in Stockholm, support line and possibility for individual and group counselling.
Mansjouren
Telephone: 08-30 30 20

RFSL's crime victim hotline for LGBTQ persons who have been subjected to abuse, threats or violence. Relatives and friends of LGBTQ persons who have been subjected to violence are also welcome, as are persons who meet LGBTQ persons in their professions.
RFSL
Toll-free: 020-34 13 16

Terrafem offers support and advice to women in 43 languages. The call is free and does not appear on the phone bill.
Terrafem
Toll-free: 020-52 10 10

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