Sexual harassment policy

ESN Amsterdam condemns all forms of sexual harassment. The foundation commits to providing a safe environment for all participants of events and ESNcard holders. Sexual harassment is not tolerated and ESN Amsterdam is obligated to take every complaint seriously, conduct thorough research into every incident reported and act accordingly.

What is defined as sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment, in general, is defined as unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Physical conduct
  • Non-consensual physical contact such as patting, pinching, stroking, kissing, hugging, fondling, or inappropriate touching.
  • Engaging or threatening action after the refusal of sexual advance.
    Physical violence, including sexual assault and physical violence resulting from gender discrimination.
• Verbal conduct
  • Comments on a person’s appearance, age, weight, gender, sexuality, and private life.
  • Sexual comments, stories and jokes.
  • Unwanted sexual advances.
  • Repeated and unwanted social invitations for dates and physical intimacy.
  • Insults based on the sex and/or gender of the person.
  • Condescending or paternalistic remarks.
  • Sending sexually explicit messages.
• Non-verbal conduct
  • Display of sexually explicit or suggestive material.
  • Sexually suggestive gestures.
  • Whistling.
  • Leering.
  • Conditioning opportunities on sexual favours.
  • Substance spiking.
    • Substance spiking refers to the act of putting alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their knowledge or consent.
      Or the threats or incomplete attempts to do the above-mentioned.

To whom and when does the policy apply?

The policy applies to all ESNcard holders and participants and otherwise involved people in ESN Amsterdam . Everyone can become a victim of sexual harassment, regardless of gender, physical characteristics and sexual orientation. ESN Amsterdam may also act upon sexual harassment incidents by ESNcard holders that have been committed outside of official ESN Amsterdam structures, or prior to the person’s involvement in ESN Amsterdam . The policy also applies when victims have not actively stated their discontent. With this, ESN Amsterdam commits to an “Only Yes means Yes” policy.

Possible consequences of sexual harassment

Incidents of sexual harassment can lead to a warning and ultimately a temporary or permanent expulsion from the organisation and/or our events.

Who to contact after an incident or after the witnessing of thereof?

People can turn to ESN Amsterdam volunteers present at the event where the incident occurred, to resolve the immediate situation.

People can contact the confidential counsellors if they wish that the organisation acts upon the incident that has occurred. They can reach them by writing an e-mail to [email protected].

If they wish to speak to someone confidentially about the incident, they can turn to the Confidential Contact people of the organisation. You can find their contact details here.

How will the complaint be handled?

If the person decides to submit an incident report, the complaint will be handled according to ESN Amsterdam’s complaint procedure and their confidentiality guidelines.

In severe cases, ESN Amsterdam reserves the right to refer the case to the police and the University of Amsterdam and/or the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.