1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. About BFH
  3. Profile + Values
  4. Protection of personal integrity at BFH
  5. Threats and violence
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Threats and violence

Threats and violence are forms of conduct that harm other people psychologically or physically or which threaten to do so.

This page offers affected persons and interested parties:

  • Information: what are threats and violence?
  • Explanations: what should you do if you are affected by threats or violence? What should you do if you have observed threatening or violent behaviour?
  • Resources: information and support services

We do not tolerate threats and violence – whether it’s the act of physical or psychological violence or the threat of it. We, and in particular persons in positions of authority, have a responsibility to ensure a threat- and violence-free environment. The basis for this are the BFH Code of Conduct and the Regulations for the protection of personal integrity.

Persons affected by threats or violence receive counselling and support. Persons who are violent or willing to commit violence are held accountable.

At a glance

What are threats and violence?

Threats and violence are forms of conduct that harm others psychologically or physically or express an intention to do so.

Threats and violence can take different forms, such as:

  • Physical assaults and threats
  • Verbal and non-verbal slights that go beyond common work and interpersonal conflicts
  • Humiliation
  • Insults
  • Wilful and persistent pursuit of a person (“stalking”)

You’ve experienced an incident – what should you do?

 1. Get help:
 

  • In case of emergency, contact the police directly: Tel. 117.
  • Get help from external confidential counselling and support centres or the responsible internal contacts if you are threatened without there being an acute danger to life and limb.

2. Internal contact via a manager or report to the Investigative Service:
 

  • If you would like us to do something, talk to your supervisor, the HR consultant responsible for you, your teachers or the head of your degree programme, or contact the BFH Investigative Service.
  • You can find information on non-binding counselling services and how to contact a manager or the Investigative Service on the page about the protection of personal integrity at BFH.

You’ve witnessed an incident – what should you do?

How should you behave when you observe threats or violence in your environment? You can support the threatened person with the following actions:

  • If you observe threats and violence, talk to the affected person about the incidents. Encourage them to defend themselves against the attacks.
  • If the incident is investigated, you may be involved as a witness.
  • If possible, talk to your supervisor, the HR consultant responsible for you, your teachers or the head of your degree programme if you encounter the following situations:
    • If you hear of threats against others
    • If you or someone else is affected by stalking
    • If you or someone around you is physically attacked
    • If someone expresses suicidal thoughts
    • If your gut feeling tells you that a behaviour could be extremely abnormal and dangerous
    • When you see weapons or weapons are talked about in your presence
    • When you hear or read about extreme fantasies of violence

Source: movis.ch/en/scholarly-articles/threat-violence/

More about this topic

Further information

Other support services

The Investigative Service

The Investigative Service has an obligation to act as soon as it becomes aware of a violation of personal integrity. You can contact the Investigative Service at personal.integrity@bfh.ch or contact a member of the Investigative Service directly.