The step-by-step guide entitled “Setting up a comprehensive policy framework addressing gender-based violence in academia: a step-by-step guide” is specifically designed for those in the early stages of creating and implementing a policy framework to address gender-based violence within academic settings. This document supports the development of an actionable roadmap, referred to as an Action Plan, which provides a clear and detailed set of actions for designing, implementing, enforcing, monitoring, and evaluating the comprehensive policy framework. The guide comprises a series of main steps, each with its unique focus: Step 1 – Getting Started, Step 2 – Analysing and Assessing the Institutional Context, Step 3 – Designing the Action Plan, Step 4 – Implementation, and Step 5 – Monitoring and Evaluation. 

This document encompasses a series of focused factsheets, each targeting distinct stakeholders: policy-makers,  higher education and research institutions, higher education and research institution associations and umbrella organisations, , research funding organisations, staff association and unions, and student associations and unions. 

The “Guide to awareness-raising campaigns on gender-based violence” is a step-by-step guide for representatives from universities and research organisations, offering valuable insights into the development of awareness-raising campaigns and the replication of inspiring practices. Its intended audience includes communication officers, gender equality/equality or diversity officers, and any interested staff members. Within this guide, the user will discover three inspiring practices: the “Poster campaign to raise awareness about sexual harassment” executed by the University of Namur, Belgium; “Ask for Angela” implemented by Leeds Beckett University, UK; and “DON’T TURN A BLIND EYE” (#UNIUNIECONTRE LE HARCÈLEMENT) from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. The guide provides materials that empower the audience to replicate the poster campaign initiated by the University of Namur and customise it to suit their institutional context, using the adaptable documents included.

This checklist is designed to guide research and higher education institutions through the challenging process of crisis communication in the event of a case of gender-based violence at the institution getting wide, public attention. This document provides a structured approach to navigating these complex matters, ensuring effective communication, victim protection, and preservation of institutional integrity. It is intended for administrators, communication professionals, and any staff involved in addressing gender-based violence (e.g. Gender Equality officers, Gender Equality committees, task forces or working groups on gender-based violence, human resources personnel and legal advisors, etc.).

The “Guidance for Protocol development” serves as a comprehensive guide for research and higher education institutions seeking to create protocols addressing gender-based violence within their settings. The guidelines include UniSAFE’s definition of a Protocol, its key elements, and offer practical tips and hints. Additionally, a selection of sample practices implemented within higher education and research organisations is presented. These guidelines are primarily designed for staff members tasked with the development and implementation of protocols for addressing gender-based violence within their respective institutions. By adhering to these comprehensive guidelines, institutions can cultivate safer environments and institute effective measures to address gender-based violence, fostering a climate of security and inclusivity

The guidance document “Facilitating change: A guide to using case stories in co-creation activities for addressing gender-based violence” is meant as a reference document for all who intend to use participatory techniques in co-creation workshops to explore gender-based violence in their institution. The guide includes five newspaper articles on real cases, gathered from publicly available sources and translated into English, together with instructions and practical details. This series of articles sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced in addressing gender-based violence. The articles can, for example, be used in ice-breaking activities for trainings addressing gender-based violence. In the context of UniSAFE’s co-creation workshops, the articles have triggered meaningful discussions and fostered dialogue on addressing gender-based violence in an institutional context. The use of these articles has thus been tested and was found particularly useful by the workshop participants to identify gaps in addressing gender-based violence within higher education institutions and develop corresponding solutions.  

The guide on the use of personas introduces a range of fictional characters that represent diverse individuals who have different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives related to gender-based violence in research and higher education. These personas serve as a dynamic tool to enrich co-creation and participatory activities as well as training sessions, promoting discussions and a better understanding of the challenges faced in addressing gender-based violence. The use of personas also allows to check the application of (planned) measures by verifying how they would affect the different personas. The guide is meant for a variety of professionals to help them review and develop policies and build skills.  

For an effective training session, it is important to ensure that participants feel comfortable, respected and supported throughout the training, preventing re-traumatising and triggering of the participants. This guide provides some practical tips for trainers and change agents.

The aim of this training is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of gender-based violence and its impact on academic environments and demonstrate the prevalence of gender-based violence in the research field and highlight its specific characteristics. This session aims to introduces the 7P model of UniSAFE and to share successful practices that have been implemented by European research-performing organisations in establishing and executing institutional policies and practices addressing the issue. The materials have been designed for an in-person session with an estimated total duration of 6 hours.

A training for:

• Gender equality officers/focal points/equality and diversity officers
• Human Resources officers
• Ombudspersons
• Gender Equality Plan team members
• Health and safety officers
• Heads of Department/Unit in charge or involved in gender-based violence.

Additional materials:

The training on active bystander intervention aims to educate institution members (staff and students) on gender-based violence and provide them with the necessary skills to recognise and intervene in risky and inappropriate situations. The programme includes interactive exercises, examples of the gender-based violence continuum, role-playing and discussions on identifying risk and inappropriate situations and making safe interventions. The material have been designed for an onsite session with an estimated total duration of 3 hours.

A training for:

• Administrative staff
• Faculty members
• Researchers and students
• Anyone wishing to be empowered as active bystanders and to take preventive actions by intervening in potentially harmful situations

The training on active bystander intervention aims to educate institution members (staff and students) on gender-based violence and provide them with the necessary skills to recognise and intervene in risky and inappropriate situations. The programme includes interactive exercises, examples of the gender-based violence continuum, role-playing and discussions on identifying risk and inappropriate situations and making safe interventions. The material have been designed for an online session with an estimated total duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes.

A training for:

• Administrative staff
• Faculty members
• Researchers and students
• Anyone wishing to be empowered as active bystanders and to take preventive actions by intervening in potentially harmful situations

This educational webinar focuses on cultivating a comprehensive understanding of gender-based violence within the framework of research organisations and higher education institutions. It delves into the intricate nature of these issues as manifestations of gender inequalities and power dynamics. The module encourages open discussions and examples of gender-based violence, power relations and interventions. Tailored for Bachelor and Master students with no previous knowledge of gender-based violence, this module serves as a valuable introduction to the topic of gender-based violence and interventions to promote a safer and more equitable university and research environment. The material have been designed for an online session with an estimated total duration of 2.5 to 3 hours.

A training for:

• Bachelor and Master students with no or little previous knowledge on gender-based violence 

This educational webinar focuses on cultivating a comprehensive understanding of gender-based violence and sexual harassment within the framework of research organisations and higher education institutions. It delves into the intricate nature of these issues as manifestations of gender inequalities and power dynamics. The module encourages open discussions and offers recommendations of interventions implemented by student unions/ associations and individual students, to address these concerns effectively. Furthermore, it emphasises the significance of integrating gender-based violence and sexual harassment policies into broader institutional reforms. The material have been designed for an online session with an estimated total duration of 3 hours.

A training for:

• Bachelor and Master students with some preliminary knowledge on gender-based violence  
• Student Union and Student Association responsible for working on gender-based violence  
• Feminist student organisation members 

This webinar is designed for doctoral (PhD) candidates, post-doctoral scholars, early career researchers, project and similar researchers, with the aim of fostering a safer and more inclusive academic environment. Through engaging sessions, participants will further their understanding of the features of doctoral and research environments that might affect gender-based violence. Understanding and responding to gender-based violence is centre stage, using active bystander intervention, effective communication, taking a stand and creating positive change.  The material have been designed for an online session with an estimated total duration of 3 hours.

A training for:

• Doctoral (PhD) candidates  
• Post-doctoral students   
• Early career researchers  
• Masters students doing research   
• Project researchers  

Designed for teachers/educators within higher education institutions and research organisations who possess intermediate to advanced expertise in teaching about gender-based violence, this comprehensive training aims to equip them with insights, and strategies needed to effectively address and educate about gender-based violence, within the academic context, using the knowledge and insights gained by UniSAFE. Participants will gain a nuanced understanding of the significance of gender-based violence in educational and research settings, explore the complexities of power dynamics and resistance when teaching on this topic, and learn pedagogical approaches to engage students and professionals in meaningful discussions and learning experiences. This educational webinar focuses on cultivating a comprehensive understanding of the importance of integrating the subject of gender-based violence into teaching. The training provided encompasses not only educators focused on gender equality but also extends to individuals in scientific fields, emphasising the intricate interconnection of gender-based violence across diverse domains, such as law, psychology etc. Through interactive sessions and collaborative discussions, this training encourages educators to go beyond the classroom, fostering a culture of empathy, empowerment, and positive change in both teaching and research domains. The material have been designed for an online session with an estimated total duration of 3 hours.

A training for:

• Teachers/Educators in higher education institutions and research organisations with intermediate or advanced expertise in teaching about gender-based violence. 

Additional material:

This document is a compilation of material and resources curated for students with and without prior knowledge of gender-based violence, doctoral students, early career researchers, and educators in higher education and research organisations. It aims to offer valuable and comprehensive resources to deeper into gender-based violence in academia. This list goes hand in hand with the respective capacity-building material developed by UniSAFE.

This training introduces participants to the issue of gender-based violence in academic and research settings, using UniSAFE’s 7P model — Prevalence, Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Provision of services, Partnerships and Policies — as a comprehensive framework. It provides an overview of key EU policy frameworks and priorities, alongside practical advice and examples of successful initiatives implemented by research-performing organisations across Europe.

The training materials aim to build a solid understanding of the prevalence and characteristics of gender-based violence in academia, while equipping participants with strategies and inspiring practices to support institutional change. The training is available in English, Czech, French, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. 

Target audience:

• Gender equality officers, focal points and diversity officers

• HR officers and ombudspersons

• Gender Equality Plan (GEP) team members

• Health and safety officers

• Department or unit heads involved in gender-based violence prevention and response

This training focuses on institutional responses to gender-based violence and the role of support actors. It presents gender-based violence as a continuum and explores how power relations, hierarchy, dependency and intersecting inequalities affect reporting, support and institutional action.

Target audience: 

• ombudspersons and members of ombuds networks
• trusted persons and first responders
• gender equality and diversity officers
• human resources officers
• Gender Equality Plan teams
• student support and wellbeing staff
• complaint-handling, investigation or disciplinary bodies
• trainers working on gender-based violence in academic settings

This training focuses on gender-based violence against trans and non-binary people in universities and research organisations. It introduces key concepts related to trans and non-binary identities, cisnormativity, the gender binary and the continuum of gender-based violence.

Target audience: 

• educators and teachers
• gender equality officers and focal points
• equality and diversity officers
• human resources officers
• Gender Equality Plan teams
• health and safety officers
• heads of departments or units involved in prevention and response
• trainers working on gender-based violence in academic settings

This training introduces active bystander intervention as a practical approach to recognising and responding to gender-based violence. It supports participants to identify situations where intervention may be needed, reflect on barriers and practise safe responses using the 5D model developed by Right To Be.

Target audience: 

• administrative staff
• faculty members
• researchers
• students
• any member of higher education institutions and research organisations who wish to act as active bystanders

This training supports participants in recognising and responding to resistance when developing, implementing or strengthening policies on gender-based violence. It combines conceptual input, personal reflection, a World Café exercise and practical work on self-care and action planning.

Target audience: 

• gender equality officers
• equality and diversity officers
• Gender Equality Plan teams
• human resources staff
• ombudspersons and trusted persons
• institutional support actors
• managers
• trainers
• researchers
• students and staff representatives involved in institutional change

This workshop introduces participatory techniques that can support institutions in testing selected parts of the GenderSAFE Model Policy Framework. It focuses on stakeholder mapping and journey mapping as tools to identify relevant actors, clarify institutional steps and plan a realistic testing process.

Target audience: 

• institutional teams supporting policy development
• gender equality and diversity officers
• human resources staff
• legal officers
• student support actors
• ombudspersons
• institutional change agents
• allies involved in consultation, co-creation, drafting, advocacy or approval processes

This workshop introduces strategic framing as a practical approach for strengthening institutional policy work on gender-based violence. It helps change agents connect policy goals to the concerns, values and responsibilities of different stakeholders.

Target audience: 

• gender equality and diversity officers
• Gender Equality Plan teams
• human resources staff
• legal officers
• ombudspersons and complaints office staff
• student support and staff wellbeing services
• managers
• researchers
• students and staff representatives
• trainers working on institutional policy work

This training introduces students to gender-based violence in higher education and explores how they can contribute to institutional change. It focuses on awareness-raising, advocacy, peer support, policy engagement and dialogue with institutional actors.

Target audience: 

• Bachelor, Master and PhD students
• students interested in gender-based violence and institutional change
• students active or interested in student organisations, unions or networks
• students involved in equality, diversity, inclusion or wellbeing initiatives
• students motivated to contribute to change within their institution

This Training of Trainers supports participants in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to deliver training on gender-based violence in research and academia. It combines conceptual input, practical tools, participatory feminist methodologies and hands-on facilitation practice.

Target audience: 

• gender equality officers and focal points
• equality, diversity and inclusion officers
• Gender Equality Plan teams
• trainers and facilitators
• researchers and project partners involved in institutional change
• ombudspersons, trusted persons and support actors
• people expected to use or adapt UniSAFE and GenderSAFE training materials

This online training focuses on strengthening individual and institutional competencies in the area of social safety in academic settings. It covers active bystander intervention, communication strategies to overcome distrust and internal regulation as a tool for handling concerns and cases.

Target audience: 

• gender equality and diversity officers
• Gender Equality Plan teams
• ombudspersons and trusted persons
• contact points
• human resources staff
• legal staff
• student support actors
• communication staff
• managers
• people involved in internal regulations and procedures

This hands-on training introduces participatory techniques that can support the development, review and implementation of institutional policies on gender-based violence. Participants test tools such as journey maps, persona stories and the Lotus Blossom technique.

Target audience: 

• gender equality and diversity officers
• Gender Equality Plan teams
• human resources staff
• legal officers
• ombudspersons and institutional support actors
• student support and safeguarding actors
• complaints office staff
• managers
• trainers
• researchers
• students and staff representatives involved in policy development

The GenderSAFE exit questionnaire is an evaluation template for training sessions, workshops and webinars. It helps trainers collect feedback on the content, methods, facilitation and overall usefulness of the session.