What can I do if I have experienced discriminatory behaviour myself?

If you have experienced discriminatory behaviour, you should first document the incident by writing a statement of facts. You should also gather any evidence, such as text messages or statements from witnesses. If you decide to make use of the advice offered by the Hochschule München’s first point of contact for Anti-Discrimination and, if necessary, take further action, a detailed description of the situation is important. Potential evidence can support your case, but is not a prerequisite.

Procedure

Contact

The procedure for dealing with cases of discrimination and sexual harassment can vary greatly, depending on the nature of the issue. If you have experienced discrimination or sexual harassment, you can contact the first point of contact for Anti-Discrimination. However, you also have the option of first speaking to someone you trust and asking them to support you further, provided they have the time to do so. In any case, it is important to involve the Anti-Discrimination first point of contact. They can offer support. They also compile records of all cases of discrimination and sexual harassment for documentation purposes.

Confidential and impartial advice

The Anti-Discrimination first point of contact listens to people who have experienced discrimination or sexual harassment and discusses the next steps with them. All discussions remain confidential. The first point of contact provides impartial advice to the person concerned and outlines possible courses of action, which may vary from case to case. The decision on how to proceed rests solely with the person concerned.

How a moderated discussion works

As cases can vary considerably, this section merely outlines, by way of example, the procedure to be followed in the event that the person concerned wishes to engage in direct dialogue with the accused. In such cases, the first point of contact takes the lead in organising this facilitated discussion. Neutral facilitators are called upon for this purpose. They make contact with the accused and prepare for the discussion. The first point of contact remains on the side of the affected person, accompanies and supports them during the discussion and, if desired, can act as their representative.

These mediation discussions may take place on several occasions if the outcome of the discussion is not satisfactory. The decision on this rests with the person concerned. If the person concerned is satisfied with the outcome of the discussion process, the first point of contact will document the case and implement the agreed measures.

In the event of a formal complaint, the first point of contact will assist with the internal investigation and documentation.

Throughout the entire process, the first point of contact maintains contact with the person concerned, keeps them informed of developments and obtains their consent for all further steps.

Experiences of discrimination often give rise to difficult emotions for those affected – don’t try to cope with these feelings on your own; seek support.

As well as seeking internal and external counselling services, you should definitely talk to people you trust or friends about what you have been through. Their emotional support and mental encouragement can help you make sense of your own feelings and thoughts. When people experience discrimination, it can have an impact on their physical and mental health. Self-care can be crucial in such cases.

Self-care is personal and can take many different forms. Find out what works best for you and adapt these practices to suit your needs and circumstances. Here are a few examples.

Empowerment through community: Connecting with like-minded people and seeking support within communities that have had similar experiences can be helpful and empowering. This might involve talking to people in your own community, getting involved in support groups, or looking for resources and organisations that offer support.

Setting boundaries: It is important to set boundaries and, where necessary, protect yourself from further discrimination. This might mean, for example, keeping your distance from people or situations that cause you distress, or saying ‘no’ if you feel uncomfortable.

Self-education: Learning about discrimination and your own rights can help you to protect yourself more effectively and deal with discrimination. Find out about relevant laws, regulations, history and culture to broaden your knowledge.