TREY has two harassment contact persons, who will give advice and support in cases of harassment, assault, discrimination and other cases of inequality students might face. You can contact the harassment contact persons even if you are unsure of your situation or you just want to discuss ways to intervene in cases of harassment. If needed, the harassment contact persons will guide you to further assistance.

The harassment contact persons operate on the terms of the student and no further action or contact will be made without consent. All conversations with the harassment contact persons are fully confidential.

You can contact the harassment contact persons via email .

Harassment can also be reported via TREY’s harassment reporting form in Microsoft Forms. Anonymous reporting is possible, as well. Please note that anonymous submissions cannot be used to take further action. These will be read by the harassment contact persons, but contact information is required to move the process forward. Anonymous submissions are a good way to report, for example, general observations regarding equality and discrimination.

Harassment contact persons

Harassment contact person Laura Kaipia

, tel. +358 40 713 0074

Harassment contact person Yeti Kakko

harassmentman@trey.fi, tel. +358407130079

Here is what to do if you run into inappropriate conduct

No form of harassment needs or should be tolerated. If, however, you witness harassment, act according to the following guidelines:

  1. Let the offender know clearly and straightforwardly that you do not like the behaviour they are directing at you or someone else.
  2. If you do not dare to do it alone, you can ask for a friend or a harassment contact person from the student union to help. Writing a letter is also an option.
  3. If the harassment is continuous, write down all the locations and times and the people who have witnessed it.
  4. Also hold on to all other proofs of harassment, such as text messages or emails. This helps us further process the case.
  5. Contact a harassment contact person in the student union, and they can help you settle the case completely confidentially.

Here is how to recognise inappropriate conduct

Inappropriate conduct is behaviour that is against the law or contrary to accepted principles of morality. It is often systematic and continuous with negative undertones and manifests itself as actions or neglect. Even individual, milder actions can be inappropriate conduct if they are repeatedly directed at the same people. If repeated or continuous, inappropriate conduct may endanger a person’s health. Both students and university staff can be guilty of inappropriate conduct.

Harassment can be based on factors including but not limited to age, skin colour, opinions or beliefs or be sexual and gender-based in nature. Harassment is offensive behaviour that manifests itself in words, actions or attitudes. Innuendos, inappropriate facial expressions, gestures, touches, calls or messages and vulgar talk are all forms of harassment.

Psychological violence is continuous, repeated bullying, disparagement or other negative conduct. Psychological violence feels distressing, demeaning, humiliating or threatening and makes the victim feel defenceless. Inappropriate conduct includes threats and shouting, physical and psychological violence, unfoundedly criticising another person’s characteristics or personal life or questioning their mental health, and excluding them from social interaction in the community.

How do TREY’s harassment contact persons operate?

All conversations with the harassment contact persons are confidential and no actions are taken without consent. Their job is not to punish the accused but to support and advise the students who have faced harassment and to discuss together with them on how to proceed. The harassment contact persons can be asked to contact the accused offender and hear them out about the situation. The person accused of harassment always has the right to be heard on the matter.

Situations are addressed on a case-by-case basis, but the typical settling of harassment cases proceeds as follows:

  1. The harassment contact persons are contacted by email, TREY’s harassment form or phone.
  2. The harassment contact persons hear out the victim and ask them how they wish to proceed. Further measures are not obligatory. You can also just talk with the harassment contact persons without taking further measures.
  3. If the person reporting the case so wishes, the accused offender is contacted. The person accused of harassment always has the right to be heard and the harassment contact persons usually invite them to a face-to-face meeting. The other party’s view is heard, and the situation is discussed in the meeting.
  4.  If both parties are ready for it, the contact persons suggest a common meeting where the case can be discussed or settled. The harassment contact persons can be present to guide the conversation or they can be asked to leave.
  5. All parties are offered the opportunity for a follow-up if any questions arise after the meeting.

If either party is on the university staff, the harassment contact persons include a university representative to settle the case.