If you are subjected to hate, threats or violence
This page contains information for those who have been subjected to or have witnessed hatred, threats or violence and would like to know what to do in this type of situation. You can also find out more about the available support. Lund University has a zero tolerance policy towards hatred, threats and violence.
Shortcuts to page content:
- Advice on what to do in the event of threats or violence at a physical location
- Advice on what to do in the event of hatred or threats through email or social media
- Notify a member of teaching staff or someone else in charge
- Support for those who have been targeted
Individuals can be subjected to hate, threats and violence in different ways and at different locations. The behaviour can take place on the University’s premises, through email or on social media, for example. We have collected some important pieces of advice on what might be good to consider if you find yourself in a situation of this kind.
Advice on what to do in the event of threats or violence at a physical location
- Stay at a safe distance.
- Attempt to defuse the situation by remaining calm and collected.
- Attempt to leave the location if the situation turns violent.
- If possible, attempt to draw others’ attention to the situation. Ask for help from others in the vicinity.
- If an emergency situation is underway: call 112. You will need to describe what is happening and whether medical care is required.
- Call the University’s emergency number, 046-222 07 00, to inform the University’s security guards of the event.
- Stay at a safe distance. Attempt to leave the location in the event of violence.
- Never put yourself in harm’s way.
- Immediately contact the person in charge at your department. If you do not know who this is, a member of teaching staff can guide you. Convey what has happened and whether help has been summoned.
- Document your observations. Immediately write down what you have seen and attempt to describe the person who made the threat or perpetrated the violence.
For example, try to remember and document the number of people, gender, age, height, skin colour, hair colour, length of hair, behaviour, dialect, colour of clothing, shoes, trousers/skirt, jacket, shirt, other distinguishing features, which way the person or persons went afterwards and the vehicles involved. It is a good idea also to write down any other observations, such as what was said or how the threat was expressed.
It is a good idea to document what has happened if you are subjected to hate or threats through email or social media. You can do this by:
- Saving the message, taking a screenshot or documenting the threat/hate in some other suitable way.
- Making a note of the date and time you received or saw the message.
- Notifying the person in charge at your department.
- Reporting the event to the University as an incident or accident.
Notify a member of teaching staff or someone else in charge
You can notify the University if you have been subjected to hate, threats or violence by contacting a member of teaching staff, study advisor, head of department or another person in charge at the University. Find out what the local procedures are at your specific faculty/department.
Depending on the nature of the situation, you should also report the event as an incident or accident. More information on making a report is available on this page:
It can sometimes be difficult to know whether an event you have been subjected to is something the University needs to be informed about. If you perceive the hate, threat or violence as being connected to your role as a student or if the event has taken place within the framework of your studies, you must always notify the University. In this situation, the University has a responsibility to investigate the event and if necessary take action to prevent it from happening again.
Disciplinary measures may be called for if a student subjects another student or employee at the University to hate, threats or violence. You can read more about disciplinary measures on the page below.
Cheating, disruption and harassment
There may be legal consequences if an employee subjects a student to hate, threats or violence.
Support for those who have been targeted
Individuals who have been subjected to hatred, threats or violence may react in many different ways. They may feel unsafe and frightened, become angry or have difficulty remembering what happened. For many people it is important to be able to speak to someone they feel secure with.
Support is available if you have been targeted. For example, you can contact:
- Student Health Centre
- Centre for Young Adults, Unga vuxna – lund.se (choose 'Translate' at the top of the page)
- How health care works in Sweden, contact the nearest health centre – 1177.se
- Multifaith Chaplaincy – Lund Cathedral's website (in Swedish)
- Emergency psychiatric clinics – vard.skane.se (in Swedish)
The Multifaith Chaplaincy can provide counselling to everyone at Lund University, regardless of ideology of life or religious affiliation.
You should contact your nearest emergency psychiatric clinic if you are experiencing acute psychological distress, such as thoughts about taking your life or harming yourself or others.
Important telephone numbers
Always contact SOS Alarm in the event of an emergency or immediate danger at this number: 112.
You can also call the University’s emergency number: +46 46-222 07 00 (the number is also found on the back of your LU card).
Suspected criminal offences are to be reported
If you subjected to a criminal offence, you must always file a police report so that it can be investigated by the judicial system. This applies regardless of whether the person who targeted you is a student, employee or someone outside the University.
Call 114 14 or go to a police station to report a crime.