Help with sexual harassment

The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) provides comprehensive protection against discrimination in employment and occupation (Section 2 AGG). Sexual harassment is covered as discrimination (§ 3 AGG, para. 4).

Despite the clear legal prohibition, sexual harassment is still a serious problem in working life.

"Sexual harassment is discrimination ... when unwanted, sexually oriented conduct, including unwanted sexual acts and requests for such acts, sexually oriented physical touching, comments of a sexual nature and unwanted display and visible placement of pornographic images, has the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of the person concerned, in particular by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, degrading or offensive environment."

• Sexually degrading language (about physical characteristics, intimate life, etc.)
• Approaches through anonymous letters and/or unwanted invitations, unwanted gifts, etc.
• Gestures and non-verbal comments of a sexual nature
• Presentation of pornographic or sexist images
• Unwanted touching or physical assaults
• Unwanted solicitation or coercion to engage in sexual behavior

The most important criterion for the offense of sexual harassment is the undesirability of the behavior on the part of the person concerned. Sexual harassment is an approach that is not reciprocal and violates the dignity of the person concerned.

If you would like to talk about a situation in order to find out what you can do about what you consider to be harassing behavior, there are various contact persons available at HFT Stuttgart. Your concerns will be treated in strict confidence and we will only take action at your express request.

If necessary, we will also be happy to inform you about external counseling centers if you find it easier to go there.