A DEDICATED PROTOCOL

While the fight against all forms of discrimination, harassment and sexual and gender-based violence has always been a priority for all Cité internationale stakeholders, a protocol was implemented in 2021. It was born out of the desire to formalise the procedures, by setting up a common system for reporting and dealing with such violence and by reinforcing the disciplinary system, in conjunction with the admission and residence regulations and the specific regulations of the houses. A system for reporting, supporting and dealing with situations of discrimination, harassment or sexual or gender-based violence was implemented in 2022.

Download the protocol

A CHARTER OF VALUES

In February 2022, a Charter of values was drawn up and signed by all the houses of the Cité internationale. These values constitute a basis for residents to live together in a spirit of shared humanity while contributing to peace and respecting diversity. These values are present in the reception, organisation and development of intellectual, artistic, cultural and sporting activities by the houses and the residents.

Download the Charter of Values

A 4 steps reporting and support

REPORTING DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT OR SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

In order to assist victims, a system for reporting and dealing with any discrimination, harassment, sexual or gender-based violence has been developed and implemented. Applicable only to incidents involving residents, it ensures a consistent approach and treatment of these issues across the whole campus throughout the campus and reinforces the disciplinary system, in line with the admissions regulations and the specific regulations of the houses. This system is based on a single e-mail address, created to collect reports from victims or witnesses. This address alerte-violences@ciup.fr is managed by the Equality Officer, appointed in 2021.

 

THE LISTENING UNIT

Following a report, a listening unit, made up of specially trained directors, is activated. It takes statements, assesses the seriousness of the facts and the victim’s needs (material, social, legal, psychological and medical assistance). If the facts are complex or if witnesses need to be heard, the listening unit can activate an investigation unit to assess the materiality of the facts and their seriousness.

THE INVESTIGATION UNIT

In the case of serious events and in particular in the presence of potential witnesses, a disciplinary investigation is carried out, in complete confidentiality and impartiality.

The internal investigation is carried out by trained and impartial members, including :

1/ one or two house managers (not involved in the incident). They are drawn from a group of volunteer house managers. They receive specific training;
2/ the national foundation’s Equality Officer;
3/ a specialised professional from an organisation working to combat violence and discrimination.

The investigation unit then submits its report to the management of the Cité internationale and the houses concerned. Depending on the situation, several types of sanctions are possible, from a reminder of the rules to exclusion.

They talk about it

The challenge is to meet the expectations of our residents and to inform them about the assistance available to them. It is also important for everyone to be able to act in this type of situation.

Aurore Legay-Juy, Equality Officer, Director of Legal Affairs and Procurement

AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

To accompany the implementation of this reporting protocol, the Cité internationale has designed a bilingual awareness campaign for students and researchers on campus. It is deployed at the beginning of each academic year in all the houses in French and English. Several communication tools have been produced:

  • Posters that address consent, sexual assault, discrimination or cyber harassment in relation to everyday situations
  • Anti-harassment cocktail posters at parties
  • “Observe/Alert/Support” commitment badges
  • A film made with residents on the reporting protocol
  • A film on consent will soon be available

Watch the video made with the help of the residents

FAQ

How to report discrimination, harassment, sexual or gender-based violence?

All reports of discrimination, harassment, sexual or gender-based violence should be sent by e-mail directly by the victims or direct witnesses, by the directors of the houses or by the employees to the address alerte-violences@ciup.fr.

Should I tell my house director?

The victim or direct witness may contact the director of his/her house, who will be able to give him/her useful information regarding material or psychological support (relais social international). During this preliminary interview, the director may be assisted by a member of his/her staff. Depending on the case, the director of the house may also refer the matter to the listening and reporting unit if the victim wishes to be accompanied in the process of gathering information. The director of the house may also take the first steps without delay if the victim or the direct witness needs to be protected.

In addition to reporting, are there any other contacts to be made?

Victims or witnesses can call national support platforms, such as:

  • 3919 “Violences femmes info”: free number, available from 9am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
  • 0 800 05 95 95 “SOS Viols”: free and anonymous number, available Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm.
  • 08 842 846 37 (08 victims): price of a local call, available every day from 9am to 9pm. It is for all victims, including victims of sexual assault.
  • 0800 200 000 “Net Ecoute”: free, anonymous, confidential national hotline open Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm. This is the number to call in the event of cyber-bullying.
  • 0810 10 81 35 “SOS homophobie”: free, anonymous, confidential national hotline, open Tuesday to Thursday from 6pm to 10pm and Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.

Victims can also contact the relais social international to request social support, psychological assistance and medical assistance without any advance payment.

Who makes up the listening unit?

The listening unit is composed of at least two people:

  • The director of the house, if the victim or direct witness agrees
  • One or two directors of another house
  • If necessary, a specialised professional (psychologist or association) and/or a representative of the Cité internationale

These people have been trained to deal with allegations of discrimination or violence and are subject to an obligation of confidentiality.

Who are the members of the investigation unit?

The internal investigation is carried out by trained and impartial members, including

  • One or two house directors (not involved in the incident). They are drawn from a group of volunteer house directors. They receive specific training
  • The national foundation’s Equality Officer
  • A specialised professional (structure for combating violence and discrimination)
Is the anonymity of the victim or direct witness guaranteed?

The anonymity of the victim or direct witness can be guaranteed by the Unit as long as an internal investigation is not opened. It should be noted that even in the latter case, anonymity can be maintained if the victim or direct witness is in serious and imminent danger.

What are the sanctions?

Possible sanctions, in ascending order of seriousness

  • Reminder of the rules
  • Temporary or permanent suspension of access to Cité internationale services (sports, library) and/or to certain houses
  • Imposed change of house
  • Warning (exclusion on the 3rd warning)
  • Exclusion (loss of resident status leading to departure from Cité internationale)
  • Any other measure deemed appropriate according to the circumstances

DISCOVER THE RELAIS SOCIAL INTERNATIONAL

The Relais social international (RSI) welcomes, guides and supports residents of the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris who encounter difficulties during their stay. It provides 3 types of assistance to residents : social support, psychological assistance and medical assistance.

MAKING SENSE OF THE WORLD

Conceived after the First World War, the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris brings together young talents from all over the world in one place. By promoting shared life, exchanges and understanding of a rich and complex world, it contributes to raising awareness and making sense of the world. The Cité internationale’s commitments are based on 3 pillars: encouraging mobility of the world’s youth and access to knowledge, promoting solidarity and humanist values and acting for a sustainable world.