HELHa, alongside all higher education, adult education, and research institutions in the French Community of Belgium, is uniting against violence.
A major awareness campaign is being launched in partnership with ARES, and more specifically with the Conference of Gender Contact Persons (CPCG).
An alarming starting point
The Behaves study, focusing on well-being, harassment, and violence in full-time higher education in the French Community of Belgium, reveals an alarming reality: 29.7% of respondents reported having been victims of at least one act of gender-based or sexual violence since entering their institution. These behaviours occurred both during academic activities and while performing work-related tasks.
These worrying figures highlight the importance of clear institutional commitment: measuring violence, acting quickly, and setting up intervention mechanisms. This campaign reminds us that it is legitimate to say “no” to all forms of violence and to support those who take a stand against it. The objective is simple: to improve the institutional climate and the well-being of everyone.
A tool to better understand: the Violentometer
To lead this campaign, the Conference of Gender Contact Persons (CPCG) has adapted a key tool: the Violentometer.
Why this tool?
- Because sexist, sexual, and power-based violence has been normalised, minimised, or silenced for far too long.
- Because it is essential to put words to these behaviours, sometimes confusing or invisible, in order to better identify, measure, and recognise them as such.
- Because it is not enough to address only the most severe forms of violence: everyday, sometimes subtle, violence must also be taken seriously.
From 17 April 2025, all HELHa campuses will display posters featuring the Violentometer, and bookmarks will be distributed to students. Violentometers will also be placed in stairwells on some campuses.
The Violentometer makes it possible to measure the intensity of violence through various behaviours, raise awareness, and encourage people to speak out. A simple yet powerful tool, serving a necessary change.
HELHa as an actor in the fight against harassment
HELHa recognises that violence, whether verbal, psychological, physical, or sexual, still affects far too many people within higher education institutions. It encourages anyone concerned to reach out to competent contact persons. Concrete actions are being put in place within HELHa and will be communicated at the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.
In the face of violence, silence is not a solution. It is essential to talk about it.
Published on 16 April 2025
HELHa