Q&A

In an initial consultation, we will discuss your concerns together and explore possible ways forward, including support options tailored to your situation. Based on this, we will jointly decide whether protect is the right service to support you further, and if so, in what form and under which conditions.

A range of formats may then be available, including:

• One-on-one support in cases of discrimination, abuse of power, sexualised violence and stalking
• Group or team consultations
• Follow-up services (for example, mediation meetings at the request of those affected)Coaching for managers and leaders
• If your concerns fall outside the scope of protect’s services, we will be happy to refer you to appropriate internal or external specialist support services

The counselling service is available to all members of the University of Freiburg community (students, staff, lecturers, professors, doctoral candidates or researchers) who experience or witness discrimination, abuse of power, sexual harassment or stalking.

Supervisors and team leaders who would like advice on preventive measures or on how to deal with specific cases.

Yes. You can come in for counselling without knowing exactly how to interpret the situation you have experienced or observed.

Yes. The counselling is confidential. This means that the counsellor will not discuss the counselling or its contents with anyone unless the person seeking advice gives their consent.

Yes, you don’t need to provide your personal details. You can also contact us using a pseudonym.

You can send an informal email to arrange a meeting. You do not need to describe everything that has happened in detail in your first email.

You are also welcome to call us to arrange a meeting or to get an initial assessment of your case through the phone.

Sample email:

Subject: Request for a consultation

Text:

Hello,

I would like to arrange a consultation. Times that suit me best are: (suggest 2-3 times here, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5.00 pm)

Kind regards

Yes, the counselling is free of charge.

In the initial consultation, the counsellor discusses your experience and concerns as well as possible courses of action and support options. Based on this, you decide what further support they would like and what next steps you would like to take.

Yes. Counselling at protect does not predetermine a specific outcome. Even if interventions or next steps are discussed during counselling, the person seeking advice is under no obligation to implement them. They can make new decisions at any time.

No, the case will not be passed on. The counsellor will only pass on the case with the consent of the person seeking advice.

Yes, the data of those seeking advice is stored offline in a documentation form. For the digital statistics of the counselling centre, anonymised abbreviations are used for those seeking advice, which are not traceable by third parties. The data will not be passed on.

In this case, the counsellor will provide you with information about other internal or external services for your concerns, and may refer you to them.

Accused individuals can also contact protect. During a consultation, allegations can be discussed and possible next steps can be worked out together.

The counsellor at “protect” is a qualified anti-discrimination advisor with extensive counselling experience and knowledge of discrimination and abuse of power.

Our aim is to create a counselling environment that is sensitive to discrimination. The advisor reflects on her own positionality and privileges within existing power structures, as well as the associated risks of discrimination within the counselling setting. To support this, she regularly takes part in peer supervision and professional training. If discrimination does nevertheless occur, it can be addressed and worked through openly during the session or afterwards.

You are welcome to share feedback on your experience of the consultation directly with protect@zv.uni-freiburg.de, Tel. 0761 203 54165, or you can contact Wibke Backhaus wibke.backhaus@zv.uni-freiburg.de, Tel 0761 203 9054 as Head of the Department.

The counselling office is wheelchair accessible but does not have an accessible toilet. Special requirements for counselling can be requested when making an appointment.

Counselling is available in English and German. If desired, the person seeking advice may bring another person along for translation or language support.