Equal Treatment of Students

Christian EdlingCoordinator, Equal Treatment of Students

Stockholm University

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

Legislation

• Constitutional:

Regeringsformen (the Instrument of Government) (1974:152) The public institutions

shall promote the opportunity for all to attain participation and equality in society. The public institutions shall combat discrimination of persons on grounds of gender, colour, national or ethnic origin, linguistic or religious affiliation, functional disability, sexual orientation, age or other circumstance affecting the private person.

(Chapter 1, article 2, paragraph 5)

• Other: Diskrimineringslagen (the Discrimination Act) (2008:567)

Förordning om de statliga myndigheternas ansvar för genomförandet av handikappolitiken

(the Ordinance on the Responsibility of the Public Institutions to Implement the Disability Policy) (2001:526)

(UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities and Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms)

29/11/2010

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

Discrimination Act

Grounds of Discrimination

Gender (Sex)

Ethnicity

Religion or other belief

Disability

Sexual orientation

Age

Transgender identity or expression

The Act also covers sexual harassment

29/11/2010

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

Discrimination Act

• Prohibition against discrimination on any of the

grounds of discrimination

• Requires active measures

29/11/2010

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

Active measures – proactive work(responsibilities within the University)

29/11/2010

The responsibility of the department

Working life(Human Resources Office)

Education (Student Services)

• Gender• Ethnicity• Religion or other belief• Sexual harassment

• Gender• Ethnicity• Religion or other belief• Sexual orientation• Disability• Sexual harassment

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

Discrimination Act

• Discrimination – that someone is disadvantaged by being treated less favourably than someone else is treated, has been treated or would have been treated in a comparable situation

• Harassment – conduct that violates a person’s dignity

• Sexual harassment – conduct of a sexual nature that violates someone’s dignity

29/11/2010

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

Discrimination Act

Obligation to investigate and take measures against harassment

If an education provider becomes aware that a student participating in or applying for the provider’s activities considers that he or she has been subjected to harassment or sexual harassment

29/11/2010

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

If this affects you?• Inform the person subjecting you to harassment that this offends you and that you want

the behaviour to stop. Alternatively, ask someone you trust to talk to the person you feel is harassing you.

• Make a note of the time and place, what happened, what was said and how you felt. This information can be helpful if there is a subsequent investigation.

• Tell someone you trust what has happened.

• If you would like advice and support, without an investigation being initiated, you can contact your student union/union or the Student Health Unit/Occupational Health Service.

• Report harassment as soon as possible to a member of staff at the department/head of the department or to Student Services/Human Resources Office. It is important that the situation is resolved quickly.

• It is important to know that the Swedish Discrimination Act stipulates that if you report sexual harassment, or if you participate in an investigation into sexual harassment, you cannot be punished or have negative action (reprisals) taken against you by the university.

29/11/2010

Christian Edling, Stockholm University

How to act if contacted

• Act promptly and discreetly.

• Refer the matter to the proper authority.

• Inform the victim of the avenues of support available.

• Document what is said.

• If necessary – seek advice from the Human Resources Office or Student Services.

29/11/2010

Christian Edling, Stockholm University29/11/2010

Stockholm University – www.su.se

Equal Treatment of Students: www.su.se/jamlikhet

Gender Equality: www.jamstkom.su.se

Information in English: www.su.se/english