LUIS*A moved onto campus at the beginning of June 2023 with the opening of the first LUIS*A Spot at the university library's lending desk. This made the University of Graz the first university in Austria to launch a campaign against sexual harassment in collaboration with the TARA counselling centre, the ÖH (Austrian National Union of Students) and the City of Graz. And it became a role model for others: “There is a lot of interest. We have already networked with the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, the Technical University of Leoben, the University for Continuing Education Krems, the University of Applied Sciences FH Salzburg and the St. Pölten UAS, and are passing on the concept, our know-how and our experience to these institutions,” reports Barbara Luttenberger, a member of the LUIS*A team. In addition to expanding the campaign to other universities, new training courses are already being planned. Furthermore, all Spot employees were recently provided with free personal alarms.
Professional immediate assistance
At the LUIS*A Spots, anyone who experiences sexual harassment on campus can find quick and immediate protection in acute situations. The university staff on site are professionally trained and know how to help. But LUIS*A wants to do even more: “The signs at the Spots, additional displays and notices on the screens on campus raise awareness of the issue and sharpen perception,” says Luttenberger. Ultimately, all of this should help to prevent assaults before they happen.
“In a survey conducted at the end of last year, 72 per cent of the approximately 1,000 participants stated that they were aware of LUIS*A on campus and appreciated the service,” says Johanna Kerschbaumer, the campaign manager. The visibility of the issue has probably also contributed to it being discussed more frequently in general. “More people, students and staff are now coming to us for counselling, even if they are being bullied, for example,” says Luttenberger, who, like Kerschbaumer, is part of the team at the University of Graz's Working Group for Equal Opportunities (AKGL). This is where the LUIS*A campaign is based on campus.
When someone talks about experiences such as harassment or bullying, the decision on what to do with this information remains with the person themselves. In any case, the AKGL advises documenting what has happened. This is because these records can then also be used at a later date. In cases of harassment, those affected have up to three years to report it to the Federal Equal Treatment Commission or take legal action. For other forms of discrimination, the deadline is six months.
