Sexualised Discrimination

Sexualised discrimination is always an expression of violence and a crossing of boundaries that can be displayed in verbal, non-verbal, physical or virtual ways, e.g.:

• “Catcalling”, sexually suggestive remarks and “jokes” about appearance, clothing, behaviour, private life
• Derogatory comments with sexual content
• Indiscreet “questioning” about lifestyle
• Circulating, posting or displaying material with sexist or pornographic content
• Repeated and persistent staring and stalking
• Unwelcome verbal and physical advances, e.g. wolf whistling, “chatting up”, touching, harassment
• Requests for sexual acts
• Threats of violence, enforced sexual acts and coercion
• Cyberbullying, e.g. harassing messages via mobile phones, in chats or by email

Sexualized discrimination does not mean mutual sexual interest or flirting entered into consensually or touching a person accidentally.

Each incident is different, and everyone reacts differently, so there is no standard advice on how to behave. Below you can find some alternative courses of action that have proven effective and that you can take accordingly depending on the situation:

• Do not wait for the misconduct to end by itself.
• Do not be afraid to act decisively and end the conversation – you do not owe it to anyone to talk to them!
• Address the perpetrator directly, use clear words and gestures to label their misconduct and establish distinct boundaries.
• Protest vigorously.
• Do not let anything be taken out of your hands.
• In an acute situation, call for help and ask for assistance from people nearby; the security services and staff at reception can also help you.
• Stay alert and help people if you have the impression that they feel uncomfortable about a conversation or ostensible flirting.
• Report incidents to Goethe University’s counselling services.

Take your own feelings, impressions and perceptions seriously and be conscious of the fact that you are not an isolated case nor are you to blame for others’ misconduct.