Discrimination
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is the unjustified disadvantaging of a person or a group of people. This can take place on the basis of various characteristics or attributions. For example, in relation to: Ethnic/social/economic affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, language, origin, religion/belief, disability and/or illness, body/appearance, age, family situation, etc.Discrimination can be direct or indirect. Direct discrimination occurs when the characteristic of discrimination is immediately recognizable. For example: a trans* person continues to be addressed with the wrong form of address despite explanatory information. In the case of indirect discrimination, discrimination is not directly recognizable. Example: Part-time employees are excluded from carrying out laboratory tests. These part-time employees are predominantly women. This excludes women from participating in laboratory tests and thus indirectly discriminates against them.
What is multiple discrimination?
If a person is discriminated against on the basis of several characteristics, this is multiple discrimination. Example: An applicant with a disability is structurally disadvantaged on the labor market due to her disability. She is also paid less because of her gender (see gender pay gap). The applicant experiences multiple discrimination due to her disability and gender (at different times).
Intersectional discrimination?
If two or more grounds of discrimination cannot be considered separately, this is intersectional discrimination. Example: A Black student is denied access to a student party for no reason. Here, stereotypical and racist assumptions about the characteristics of age, gender and skin color merge. The student is discriminated against on the basis of the three interacting characteristics.
Information on counseling
Have you experienced or observed discriminatory behavior and don't know what to do? Then get in touch with us. Together we can clarify questions and consider how to proceed.
Are you unsure whether you are affected or whether what you have experienced or observed was discrimination? Listen to your gut feeling. Unpleasant feelings often have a reason. In a confidential conversation, you can tell us about your experiences and/or observations and we can discuss together what next steps can be taken.
It can be helpful to make notes in advance. These can include a memory log with information about the time, place, people involved, perpetrators and witnesses. You can find an example of a memory log here.
Important: Contact the police or emergency services in an emergency!
The police have a duty to prosecute. This means that the police must begin their investigation as soon as they are called.
Specific information on counseling in cases of sexualized violence can be found here.
Our counseling service is aimed at all members and affiliates of TU Dortmund University: students, employees, professors from all departments and units of TU Dortmund University. In addition, anyone who is on campus in consultation with the university can also contact us. Anyone who has experienced or witnessed discrimination or sexualized violence by members of TU Dortmund University can also contact us.
Depending on your wishes, counseling can take place by telephone, via Zoom or on site in our counseling room. Counseling is always free, voluntary, confidential and, if you wish, anonymous. Counseling can be very versatile. Sometimes it helps just to talk about what you have experienced (or observed). This can also lead to the need for further options for action, which we can work out and support together.
Important: You are at the center of the counseling. No steps will be taken without your knowledge and/or consent.
Do you want to know whether there are risks of discrimination in your area and how these can be reduced? Then we would also be happy to advise you!