Anti-discrimination officers

The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts stands for a place of work and study characterized by respect and tolerance, where friendly, appreciative and respectful interaction is cultivated.

Nevertheless, situations can arise in the university context that unsettle, irritate, disadvantage or frighten. As advisors at the HfMDK, we are here to support you in these situations.

Verbal or non-verbal disparagement on the basis of

• skin color or ethnic origin
• social origin
• gender
• religion or belief
• disability
• age
• sexual identity

There are verbal, non-verbal and physical forms of sexual harassment:

Examples of verbal forms:

• sexually suggestive remarks and jokes
• intrusive and offensive comments about clothing, appearance or personal life
• ambiguous comments with sexual connotations
• Questions with sexual content, e.g. about private life or privacy,
• Requests for intimate or sexual acts, e.g., "Sit on my lap!"
• sexualized or inappropriate invitations to a date
• promises of benefits in exchange for sexual favors
• Extortion of sexual favors

Examples of nonverbal forms:

• intrusive or intimidating stares or suggestive looks
• Whistling behind
• Posting or distributing pornographic material
• indecent exposure
• Stalking

Examples of forms of harassment on a physical level:

• any unwanted touching (patting, fondling, pinching, hugging, kissing), even if the touching appears to be incidental
• physical approach, jostling, not maintaining the usual physical distance (approx. one arm's length)
• physical violence and any form of sexual assault up to and including rape

Sexual boundary violations can also occur on a digital level:

• unwanted e-mails, text messages, photos or videos with sexual references
• inappropriate and intrusive advances on social networks

Sexual harassment is prohibited.

The line between flirting and sexual harassment is clearly defined. Flirtations occur with mutual consent. Assaultive behavior occurs without the other person's consent. Take your feelings seriously if you experience or observe a situation as uncomfortable, inappropriate or frightening.

All counselors are subject to the legal duty of confidentiality. We support you in classifying and processing what has happened, clarify your options for action together with you and inform you about further counseling services. You will also find help in deciding whether a formal complaint should be filed.

A formal complaint can be filed with the Complaints Office. The complaint opens a process that involves the university administration and where the names of the parties involved become known. Therefore, it is then no longer subject to confidentiality. However, the university management will take your protection concerns into account and work to ensure that the* complainant does not suffer any disadvantage. The procedure opens up the possibility of imposing sanctions on the discriminating persons.

You can also use our counseling service while maintaining your anonymity by involving a third person you trust or by using a pseudonym.