At DTU, we do not tolerate offensive or inappropriate behavior
DTU is committed to maintaining a responsible study and work environment that promotes well-being and openness. DTU expects that all behavior – both academic and social – takes place through a respectful and constructive approach to the DTU community. All collaborative relationships at DTU are therefore based on equality and mutual respect among employees, guests, managers, and students. Everyone at DTU is expected to actively help prevent offensive behavior from occurring. Offensive behavior must always be assessed and addressed in light of the specific situation. In any report, DTU will consider the perspective(s) of the person(s) affected. It is the responsibility of each individual to demonstrate sound judgment and common sense, and to acknowledge that moods, boundaries, and perspectives may differ. At DTU, mutual respect should be a given.
Forms of Offensive Behavior
Offensive behavior can sometimes be perceived as good-natured teasing that is mutual. In such cases, boundaries can be difficult to assess or predict. DTU therefore encourages open dialogue about personal boundaries and expects such discussions to be conducted respectfully and professionally.
To help identify whether one has experienced offensive behavior, DTU has defined several examples of what such behavior may include. This list is not exhaustive, but serves to create a shared language for discussing these experiences:
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Behavior that is coarse, offensive, derogatory, and/or transgressive toward the person(s) involved, whether verbally or through actions.
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Behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or disruptive work or study environment.
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Behavior that, through rejection or acceptance, forms the basis for decisions negatively affecting another person, e.g., exclusion from collaborations or similar situations.
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Behavior that involves any element of coercion toward the person(s) involved.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unacceptable behavior, whether it occurs between individuals at the same level or across levels (e.g., between colleagues, between a manager and an employee, or between a student and a supervisor).
Examples of sexual harassment include:
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Physical: Unwanted touching, advances, or close physical contact.
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Verbal: Sexual comments (spoken or written), sexual suggestions, or sexual sounds.
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Visual: Display of sexual images, games, films, sex toys, gestures, or movements.
Bullying
Bullying refers to behavior that, over time, undermines a person’s or a group’s dignity and self-respect. Conflicts should be resolved respectfully before they escalate. Unresolved conflicts may intensify and have serious negative consequences for those directly affected and for their surroundings.
Bullying can take many forms, for example:
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Single or repeated verbal or subtle attacks against one or more persons that are perceived as hurtful or degrading.
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A perceived or actual imbalance of power between the bully and the affected person(s), making it difficult for the latter to defend themselves.
Violence and Threats of Violence
Violence is defined by the Danish National Board of Social Services as:
“An act or threat that – regardless of intent – violates, or is capable of violating, another person’s integrity, or that frightens, hurts, or harms the person. Violence can have the same effect on those who witness or overhear it. It may be deliberate or occur in the heat of the moment.”
Examples of violence include:
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Physical: Hitting, pushing, kicking, slapping, or any painful physical contact.
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Psychological: Threats or social control (e.g., isolation from others).
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Sexual: Forced sexual activity or any other unwanted sexual act.
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Vandalism: Destruction or damage of materials or personal belongings.
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Stalking: Repeated and intrusive contact, invasion of privacy, or misuse of personal information.
Violence should always be reported to the police.
Discrimination
Discrimination may consist of derogatory behavior or other actions that negatively affect individuals or groups, for example based on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, political opinions, sexual orientation, national, social, or ethnic origin, or other personal characteristics. Discrimination can occur either directly/explicitly or indirectly/implicitly toward an individual or a group of students.
Equal respect is expected from everyone in order to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive culture at DTU.
Safe Talk DTU – A Safe Space for Difficult Conversations
In the Department for Education and Students (AUS), DTU has established Safe Talk DTU, anchored in the DTU Study Guidance Office. Safe Talk DTU offers confidential and anonymous conversations with trained, permanent staff members about your experiences and about the support and assistance DTU can offer. If you wish to report an incident, Safe Talk DTU can also assist you throughout that process.
If your concern involves a staff member, any formal report must be handled by HR. In that process, Safe Talk DTU can offer you support. You always have the right to bring a companion of your choice if HR invites you for a follow-up conversation.
How to Contact Safe Talk DTU
You can contact us via email or phone. If you are unable to reach us immediately by phone, you are welcome to send an SMS or an email and request a call back. We may be engaged in other tasks, but we will always prioritize returning your call.
Contact a student counselor
Who Else Can Help If You Have Experienced Offensive Behavior?
Conversation with the social policy coordinator from PF
Contact PF’s social policy coordinator at social@pf.dk or phone 7742 4493 for a conversation. PF works closely with DTU on offensive behavior issues.
Reporting an incident
We recommend contacting one of DTU’s contact persons for offensive behavior or HR for guidance on the process. You can also report incidents involving students directly to Director for AUS Ulrik Bak Nielsen (ulban@dtu.dk). If the incident involves an employee, you can report it directly to HR Office Manager Sabrina Sahl (sabsa@dtu.dk, phone 9351 1796). Note that reports cannot be anonymous.
Conversation with a psychologist from the Student Counseling Service
Contact the Student Counseling Service at phone 7026 7500 or www.srg.dk for a confidential conversation. The Student Counseling Service cannot act on your inquiry to DTU but offers free counseling.
Whistleblower scheme
Read more about DTU’s whistleblower scheme
Considering Reporting Offensive Behavior?
We recommend that you first contact Safe Talk DTU for guidance on the process.
You can also report cases involving students directly to Director of AUS, Ulrik Bak Nielsen (ulban@dtu.dk). Please note that reports sent directly to the Director of AUS cannot be anonymous.
If the case involves an employee, you can report it directly to Head of HR, Sabrina Sahl (sabsa@dtu.dk, phone +45 93 51 17 96). Please note that reports to HR cannot be anonymous.