Every year on November 25, people around the world observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – also known as the International Day against Violence against Women – with protest and awareness campaigns. Freie Universität has also been observing this day for years. Wendy Stollberg from the Chief Gender Equality Office team and manager of the Office of the Standing Working Group on Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Violence at Freie Universität spoke with campus.leben about this year’s plans.

Ms. Stollberg, why is the whole month of November being dedicated to the day of remembrance and action against violence against women this year?

We want to give this important topic more space because one day goes by very quickly. At the same time, we want to increase awareness that we are all responsible for treating each other in a respectful and nonviolent manner. The past two years on November 25, we held a counseling day at Freie Universität for those affected by violence. It was well received and helped make people more aware of the various opportunities for counseling on campus.

What counseling contact points are available for people who have experienced violence at Freie Universität?

I would always advise anyone affected by violence not to remain alone, but to confide in someone they trust. That could be a friend or a colleague, or possibly a supervisor, if the relationship is based on trust.

In addition, we have a whole network of counseling centers at Freie Universität. As a rule, these are initial contact points that provide advice, and where appropriate, refer to other offices. For example, there are the gender equality officers, various interest groups, staff councils, representatives for students and employees with special needs, and various excellent Asta advising services. There are also contact persons at the Student Services Center as well as an Office of Social Counseling and Support for staff. We have compiled an overview – including emergency numbers.

Are universities dangerous places for women?

Universities, like other places, can be dangerous for women because they are part of society. In particular, there are strong hierarchies and dependencies at universities. These are conditions that favor discrimination and violence. According to an EU-wide study, around 55 percent of female students are affected by sexual harassment at least once, just under 23 percent by stalking, and 3.3 percent by sexual violence. These figures pertain only to the time while they are enrolled as students. According to another survey, about half of university employees experience sexual harassment in the workplace. Some groups of people were not even included in this survey, for example, lecturers or scholars from abroad.

That is why in 2015 we set up the Standing Working Group on Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Violence at Freie Universität. The group, which includes people from many areas of the university, drew up renewed regulations for dealing with sexualized violence. They were adopted two years ago.

What is the focus of this year’s action month?

This year our emphasis in on information, in particular the new blog, GESCHLECHTER*GERECHT. It went online on November 1 with articles by authors from Freie Universität as well as outside the university. The focus is on sexualized violence at universities as well as research and activities at Freie Universität. We also want to broaden our view and show, for example, what women’s rights organizations are doing, point out the central rally on November 25, and highlight work being done by the women’s advice centers and emergency hotlines.

How can students and employees at Freie Universität participate in the action month?

We would like to invite all the members of the university to read our articles and contributions, to discuss them, and to share them – on our blog and on the website of the working group, both in German and in English.

On November 5, students and staff members at Freie Universität identifying as members of the FLINT (female, lesbian, intersex, nonbinary, trans) community could take part in a self-defense course organized by the University Sports Center. On November 23 the Student Advisory Service is holding an empowerment workshop geared toward mental strength. There is also a virtual exhibition #MeToo und die Universität featuring contributions by students who attended a seminar dealing with sexual harassment and violence at universities. On November 16, 2021, the Margherita von Brentano Prize from Freie Universität will be awarded to a project with a related theme.

The Margherita von Brentano Prize, endowed with 15,000 euros, is awarded every two years to projects or people involved in the advancement of women or gender research. Who is the winner this year?

The database project Feminizidmap – its researchers have been documenting gender-related killings of women and girls in Germany since 2019. The collected data provide a foundation for further processing the killings, both legally and politically. The digital award ceremony on November 16 is open to the public, but advance registration is required. Incidentally, the laudation will be held by Beate Rudolf. She was a professor of law at Freie Universität and is currently the director of the German Institute for Human Rights. In 2017 she herself was awarded a Margherita von Brentano Prize.

Will there be more information or events on the topic at Freie Universität after November?

The topic of gender-related violence always plays an important role, for example, on the website of the Standing Working Group on Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Violence. A practical workshop for employees will be offered on February 17, 2022. This is intended as a prelude to further information and training events.

I would like to invite all the members of Freie Universität to contact the working group or me with their questions, ideas, and needs – or also with their complaints. The more we learn from people at the university, the more we can achieve.

Kerrin Zielke conducted the interview.

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This article originally appeared in German on October 29, 2021, in campus.leben, the online magazine of Freie Universität Berlin.