Bullying and harassment prevention plans and interventions

Action model to prevent bullying and harassment and to support intervention in problem situations.

Prevention and intervention model on bullying and harassment

The purpose is to

prevent bullying and harassment;
make it easier to intervene in a student’s bullying,harassment and inappropriate behaviour;
make the proceedings more consistent;
enhance study ability and promote students’ wellbeing
promote students' right to study in a safe learning environment.

Vuorovaikutustilanne Ylistönrinteellä, 3hlöä keskustelee, yksi seisoo vieressä

If you experience mistreatment

Tell the person that the behaviour bothers you and ask them to stop this type of behaviour. For example, a person who engages in rough humour and teasing may not realise that they are behaving inappropriately or that they are bullying or harassing you. You can deal with this verbally or in writing. Often, a verbal warning is enough to stop the misbehaviour. The advantage of a written response is that it is documented. Take care of yourself.

It is important to have the possibility to discuss the incident and related feelings and emotions with somebody you trust, such as

friends and family
student wellbeing advisers (Goodies)
(FSHS)
the University Chaplain
the
helpline: 044 7888 470
in cases of sexual harassment: 0800 97899.

If you are unable or unwilling to contact the person, or if the inappropriate behaviour persists despite you pointing it out, please contact:

or
a student wellbeing specialist Riitta-Leena Metsäpelto (riitta-leena@metsapelto [a] jyu.fi | 040 805 3349) or

It is advisable to write down what happened, when it happened and who were present. Any emails or other messages should also be kept. Documenting the incident will help in clarifying the situation.

JYU: Taking up the issue as a means of intervention

The University will intervene in student misconduct in accordance with the Universities Act. Such misconduct includes, for example, disturbance of teaching, violence, threatening or dishonest behaviour, and bullying or harassment.

prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment in educational institutions. However, the educational institution or other community's responsibility only begins when a responsible representative of the institution has been informed of the harassment. The educational institution or community then has a duty to undertake measures to eliminate the harassment. The actions of the educational institution or community are considered prohibited discrimination if they do not take the steps available to prevent that the harassment continues.

The Ģ��ֱ�� applies restorative reconciliation to resolve cases of bullying and harassment concerning students. This approach offers an alternative way to solve students’ mutual conflicts as well as those between staff and students. Reconciliation is a clear procedure in which trained mediators from JYU and JYY help the parties themselves find a solution for the conflict.

The parties may share their own views on the incident, describe their feelings, and consider different options for solutions. By this formula the mediator and the conflict parties reach an agreement, the implementation of which will be monitored, or alternatively draft a memo for further proceedings if such an agreement is not reached. However, reconciliation does not exclude possible disciplinary procedures and cannot be applied in cases of suspected sexual harassment, violence or threats of violence.

If a student is found guilty of harassment or discrimination, the University may, according to §45 of the University Act, take the following disciplinary measures: remove the student from the classroom, deny the right to attend lectures for three days, issue a written warning or suspend the student.

More information

PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION MODEL ON STUDENT BULLYING AND HARASSMENT .pdf

Riitta-Leena Metsäpelto

Expert

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