Preventing Harassment

This “Advisory Guide for Sexual/Academic Harassment” was formulated by Kyoto University of Foreign Studies and Kyoto Junior College of Foreign Languages in order to help ensure a comfortable education and research environment for all members of the university community. We aim to ensure an environment free from sexual and academic harassment, where the human rights of all individuals are respected.

The staff at this university are prepared to deal with any questions or problems you may have involving sexual or academic harassment. The protection of your privacy will be our foremost priority as we work with you to reach a resolution.

Creating a Harassment-Free Environment

Increased awareness of what constitutes harassment by each and every member of the community is crucial in the prevention of harassment. Each of us can help by:

(1) Showing respect for others
(2) Understanding what constitutes harassment
(3) Being aware of the steps this university is taking in the prevention of harassment

Zero Tolerance

Remember that through carelessness anyone can become a perpetrator or a victim of harassment. What you intended as a playful, friendly remark or gesture can easily cause discomfort in another.

・ All persons deserve to be treated equally.
・ Be sensitive to the feelings of others.
・ Be objective about your own remarks and actions.
・ Stop immediately if the other person appears to be unhappy with what you said or did. Learn from your mistake and refrain from doing it again.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual Harassment is any unwanted sexual comment or behavior

Sexual harassment is any intentional and/or unintentional verbal or physical conduct, sexual in nature, directed at another person. It may cause embarrassment, humiliation, and/or a loss of personal dignity in the victim.

Sexual harassment can also result when a person having authority or power in a work or academic environment takes advantage of his/her position to make or imply unwanted sexual suggestions or demands upon another.

Victims of sexual harassment may experience problems studying or may lose their motivation to continue work or research.

Some examples of sexual harassment

■ Making comments or remarks regarding someone’s physical appearance (the offender is not necessarily male)
■ Persistently asking someone out, phoning them, or sending emails.
■ Unwanted and/or excessive touching at social gatherings.
■ Making obscene remarks and/or sexual jokes.
■ Unwanted sexual comments and/or behavior which causes another person to feel uncomfortable.
■ Persistently asking someone out for meals or dates.
■ Taking advantage of one’s position to ask for sexual favors.
■ Repeatedly spreading slanderous gossip about someone (e.g. saying someone is sexually promiscuous).

What is Academic Harassment?

Academic Harassment is offensive, malicious, or unfair treatment in an educational or research environment

Academic harassment is any offensive, malicious, or unfair comment or behavior by a person in a position of power that causes another person to suffer a loss or to perceive they have suffered a loss of their independence and/or personal dignity. Academic harassment violates the rights of an individual to study, perform research, or work within the university community.

The mental suffering caused by academic harassment can have potentially devastating effects on the future of victims.

Some examples of academic harassment

■ Denial or forced acceptance of research topics.
■ Assigning grades/credits unfairly.
■ Refusing to instruct without a justifiable reason.
■ Verbally abusing or attacking someone.
■ Inappropriately commenting on someone’s ability or personality.
■ Denying access to literature and equipment in a research office.
■ Not providing the necessary information to carry out job-related duties.
■ Assigning work beyond the boundaries of someone’s job description or assigning work of a private nature.
■ Blatant favoritism.

Advisors

The university’s advisors have been trained and are qualified to give advice regarding matters of harassment. You may contact the advisor of your choice. Please find the list of advisors and their contact information on the back of this leaflet. Advisors may be contacted directly in person or by letter, phone, or email.

Research Office for Human Rights Education

Location:	Building 9, 7th floor
Hours:	Mon./ Tue./ Wed./ Thu./ Fri.	9:00-21:30
	Sat.	9:00-20:00
Phone:	075-322-6045
Email:	jinken@kufs.ac.jp

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Yumiko Suto

Counselor, Women’s Counseling Kyoto

Expertise: Feminist Counseling

Thursday 15:00-19:00

Research Office for Human Rights Education
(Bldg. 9, 7th floor)

Email: y_suto@kufs.ac.jp

Phone: 075-322-6046

Your privacy will be protected

The protection of your privacy will be the advisor’s foremost priority. If you seek their advice, you will not suffer any repercussions.

There are three courses for taking action

1 — Seek Advice

Advisors will sincerely listen to you and thoroughly discuss different possible options with you for reaching a resolution.

2 — Appeal for Mediation

A mediation committee will meet with all parties involved in an attempt to reach an agreeable resolution. The committee will not ask you to face the other party(ies) without your approval and desire to do so.

3 — File a Formal Complaint

An investigative committee will examine the case and decide upon appropriate measures to deal with the problem, including possible legal or punitive action against the offender(s).

If you experience harassment, don’t suffer alone…

Keep records

Keep records about what happened, where it happened, when, and how it made you feel, etc. as well as any response(s) you made at the time. Finally, if you have any letters, emails, or any other things that may be used as evidence, save them as well.

Consult a trusted friend or a co-worker

If a friend or co-worker consults you, listen sincerely to what they have to say, and, in as much as possible, be supportive.

See an advisor

If a friend or co-worker is troubled by an instance of apparent harassment, encourage them to consult an advisor. If your friend or co-worker requests you to, go with them to see an advisor.