Anti-discrimination officers

The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts stands for a place of work and study characterized by respect and tolerance, where friendly, appreciative and respectful interaction is cultivated.

Nevertheless, situations can arise in the university context that are unsettling, irritating, disadvantageous or frightening. As advisors at the HfMDK, we are here to support you in these situations.

Verbal or non-verbal disparagement because of

• skin color or ethnic origin
• social origin
• gender
• religion or belief
• disability
• age
• sexual identity

There are verbal, non-verbal and physical forms of sexual harassment:

Examples of verbal forms:

• sexually suggestive remarks and jokes
• intrusive and offensive comments about clothing, appearance or private life
• ambiguous comments with sexual connotations
• Questions with sexual content, e.g. about private life or privacy,
• Requests for intimate or sexual acts, e.g. "Sit on my lap!"
• sexualized or inappropriate invitations to a date
• promises of benefits in return for sexual favors
• Extortion of sexual favors

Examples of the non-verbal level:

• intrusive or intimidating stares or suggestive looks
• Whistling behind
• Hanging up or distributing pornographic material
• indecent exposure
• Stalking

Examples of forms of harassment on a physical level:

• any unwanted touching (patting, stroking, pinching, hugging, kissing), even if the touching appears to be accidental
• physical advances, jostling, not maintaining the usual physical distance (approx. one arm's length)
• physical violence and any form of sexualized assault, including rape

Sexual boundary violations can also occur on a digital level:

• unwanted emails, text messages, photos or videos with a sexual reference
• inappropriate and intrusive advances on social networks

Sexual harassment is prohibited.

The boundary between flirting and sexual harassment is clearly defined. Flirting occurs with mutual consent. Assaultive behavior occurs without the consent of the other person. Take your feelings seriously if you experience or observe a situation as unpleasant, inappropriate or frightening.

All counselors are subject to legal confidentiality. We will help you to classify and process what has happened, clarify your options for action together with you and inform you about other counseling services. You will also find help here in deciding whether a formal complaint should be made.

A formal complaint can be submitted to the complaints office. The complaint opens a procedure that involves the university management and in which the names of those involved become known. It is therefore no longer subject to confidentiality. However, the university management will take your protection concerns into account and work to ensure that the complainant is not disadvantaged. The procedure opens up the possibility of imposing sanctions against the discriminating persons.

You can also use our counseling service while maintaining your anonymity by involving a third person you trust or by using a pseudonym.

Position paper and recommendations of the RKM (2024)

The German universities of music recognize that there is abuse of power at their universities and want to take active action against it. The Rectors' Conference of German Universities of Music (RKM) unanimously adopted a position paper and recommendations for action on this key topic at its meeting in Hamburg from May 6 to 8, 2024. HfMDK President Prof. Elmar Fulda was part of the working group that developed these papers. The recommendations for action are intended to serve as an expandable toolbox for future prevention measures and help university management to identify and change structures that encourage abusive behavior.

Recommendation on measures against abuse of power by the HRK (2024)

Cases of abuse of power at universities in recent years, particularly against students and qualifying academics, make it clear that a continuous review and, if necessary, expansion of existing protective measures is necessary. At its meeting in Fulda on May 14, 2024, the General Assembly of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) therefore adopted a recommendation on measures to make visible, sanction and prevent abuses of power and to provide the best possible support for those affected.

ADiBe - Hesse-wide anti-discrimination counseling

The ADiBe network Hessen, a service of the anti-discrimination office of the state of Hessen, offers extended and comprehensive anti-discrimination counseling. Anyone who feels disadvantaged on racial grounds, because of their ethnic origin, gender or gender identity, religion or ideology, disability, age or sexual identity can turn to the office in confidence.

Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency supports people who are affected by discrimination. It provides information on what discrimination is and what can be done about it, conducts scientific studies and reports to the German Bundestag. Anyone who has experienced discrimination can turn to us for advice.

OFEK e.V.

OFEK e.V. is the first counseling center in Germany that specializes in anti-Semitism and community-based counseling for those affected. OFEK advises, accompanies and supports those affected, their relatives and witnesses of anti-Semitic incidents and acts of violence.

RIAS Hesse

The Recherche- und Informationsstelle Antisemitismus Hessen (RIAS Hessen) is primarily dedicated to supporting those affected by anti-Semitic incidents and documenting anti-Semitism throughout Hesse. RIAS Hessen is affiliated with the Hesse Democracy Center at the University of Marburg.