Confidential Advisors & Reporting point (CARE)

What is socially undesirable behaviour?

Undesirable behaviour can take many forms. How you experience a situation is the starting point here. Not the other person's intention.

Examples of undesirable behaviour are:

• Sexual violence: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal, non-verbal, online or physical behaviour of a sexual nature. Read more about sexual safety. 
• Intimidation/harassment: a form of manipulation in which someone can instil fear in another person by threatening negative consequences physically, verbally or in writing. Intimidation/harassment can often be used by someone in a position of power.
• Aggression and/or violence: incidents in which a person is psychologically or physically harassed, threatened or assaulted, in this case under circumstances directly related to one’s studies.
• Bullying: repeated negative behaviour by fellow students or UM employees against which a student cannot (or can no longer) defend themselves. This may be verbal, non-verbal or physical behaviour.
• Discrimination:the unequal treatment, disadvantaging or exclusion of people on the basis of personal characteristics, with no objective justification. Examples are nationality, cultural background, skin colour, gender, disability or chronic illness, religion, age, socio-economic origin or sexual orientation. 

Talking to a Confidential Advisor

A Confidential Advisor is there to listen to you and provide a safe and confidential space where you can share your experience, ask questions and discuss your concerns. It is possible to talk in person, online or by phone.

We listen without judgement and prioritise your experiences and feelings. We help you understand your situation, explain your options, and support you in taking possible next steps that feel right for you. 

A confidential adviser does not serve as a mediator, intervene in legal proceedings or investigate to find the truth.

 Make an appointment with a confidential advisor

For more about the role of the confidential adviser for undesirable behaviour, see:
  Uitleg functie vertrouwenspersoon (in Dutch)
  Landelijke Vereniging van Vertrouwenspersonen (in Dutch)

Reporting Undesirable Behavior

Reporting means sharing your situation with one of the Confidential Advisors. You can tell us about something you have experienced or witnessed or discuss concerns about behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. You decide what you want to share and at your own pace.

Reporting does not mean that a formal complaint is automatically made or that any action is taken without your knowledge. Our first step is to listen, discuss your situation, explain your options, and support you in deciding what, if any, next steps feel right for you.

Possible solutions through an informal route
If you would like the situation to be addressed, an informal approach is often the first option to explore. The aim of an informal approach is to de-escalate the situation and, where possible, find a constructive way forward.

Depending on your situation and your wishes, this may include a conversation between you and the person involved. If this does not feel safe or appropriate, other informal options can be explored, such as a conversation between the faculty dean and the person involved.

Any informal steps are discussed with you in advance, and you decide whether you wish to proceed.

Possible solutions through a formal route
If you would like the university to formally assess your complaint, you can submit a formal complaint. This starts the official complaints procedure through the Complaints Service Point, in accordance with the applicable regulations. Depending on the circumstances, this may lead to an investigation and a formal outcome.

In some situations, you may also choose to report the incident to the police. This is a separate formal route from the university's complaints procedure and can be pursued independently or alongside a formal complaint at the university.

Before taking formal steps, it is generally recommended to explore whether an informal approach is appropriate. However, this is not a requirement, and you can choose the route that feels right for your situation.

We can explain the different options, help you understand what to expect from each route, and support you in making an informed decision about your next steps.

For more information on filing a formal complaint, visit the Complaints Service Point (CSP) webpage.

General registration 
We do not keep case files or register your case. We only use anonymised information for statistical purposes and our annual report. We also use anonymised information to identify patterns of socially undesirable behaviour within UM. When we identify recurring concerns, we may bring these to the attention of the Executive Board or the relevant faculty or service centre to help improve social safety within the university.

Your report can therefore play an important role in helping UM address undesirable behaviour within the university community.

An anonymous report means that your name and identifying details are not shared with others. Only the Confidential Advisor you speak with knows your identity. If it becomes necessary to involve a third party, we will only do so with your knowledge and consent.

Talking to the ombuds officer

The ombuds officer is an unbiased and independent discussion partner for UM students, offering advice on study-related matters. 

The ombuds officer:

• Maintains independence and neutrality; is not an advocate
• Facilitates discussions, but is not a mediator
• Adheres to regulations that guarantee confidentiality and privacy
• Does not handle issues designated for other university roles or units (e.g., student dean or Board of Examiners)
• Provides solicited and unsolicited advice

The ombuds officer enhances the social safety of the study environment, advises the Executive Board on social safety trends, and can independently investigate in response to a report. 

If you want to request an investigation by the ombuds officer regarding UM’s conduct, send a detailed request to Claire Essers. She will inform you whether or not she has the authority to conduct an investigation.

For more about the ombuds officer's regulations and statute, see:

  regulations for the position of ombuds officer
  statute on the position of ombuds officer 

 Read more about the ombuds officer.

Getting support outside UM

In addition to the resources we offer at the university, the following resources outside UM are also available if you experience undesirable behaviour:

• Sexual Assault Center
• Police station Maastricht (website in Dutch, but you can call and speak to the police in English)
• Huisartsenpost (general practitioners’ emergency post)
• Suicide prevention crisis line 113 
• Discrimination hotline and assistance (website in Dutch)
• Anonymous talk and chat line to discuss anything you are worried about
• Victim Support Netherlands

When you are accused of inappropriate behaviour

Being accused of inappropriate behaviour can be stressful and confusing. If you find yourself in this situation, you are also entitled to support from a confidential advisor acting as a support person for the accused. 

This confidential advisor helps you understand the process and supports you during conversations or procedures. Your confidential advisor focuses solely on your situation and does not share information with the other student or their confidential advisor. 

In this way, confidential and impartial support for both parties is ensured.