Launching course on sexual harassment
On International Women's Day this year, UiA is launching an e-learning course on sexual harassment for use by the entire higher education sector.
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“All employees must be aware that we have zero tolerance for sexual harassment. We have developed this course to enhance knowledge among managers and employees in the sector,” says Kristian Solaas, equality adviser at the University of Agder and project manager for the course development.
The course aims to give employees a better understanding of what sexual harassment is and how it affects individuals.
“Therefore, the course explores, among other things, the boundaries between flirtation and sexual harassment, the consequences of transgressions, and what you can do if it occurs. It is especially important for managers and supervisors to become aware of the effect of power and the responsibilities within asymmetrical power relationships,” says Solaas.
The course is now available to all employees at UiA and will be a mandatory component of the university's onboarding programme.
“Preventing sexual harassment is particularly important, and we believe that this course can contribute towards that goal,” says UiA Rector Sunniva Whittaker.
“It is important to emphasise that even though we are launching this course on International Women's Day, we need to acknowledge that victims exist regardless of gender,” says Whittaker.
The entire sector
Kristian Solaas, gender equality adviser at UiA.
“We allow all other higher education institutions to utilise the course, and equality advisers at OsloMet and NTNU have already tested the pilot version,” says Solaas.
The digital course is structured into five chapters and takes about one hour to complete.
“Feel free to coordinate with your colleagues to watch one chapter per day throughout the week and discuss it during lunch. Engaging in dialogue about this topic is instructive, useful, and preventive,” says Solaas, who collaborated with UiA's Centre for Gender and Equality and the university's IT division in developing the course.
Contact person:
Kristian Solaas
Senior adviser/Equality adviser
Mob: 918 86 126