Definition
What is defined as transgressive behaviour is very personal. Some people may experience a certain action or behaviour as transgressive or unwanted, while this is not the case for others. Judging whether certain behaviour (verbal or physical) is permissible or not is subjective and personal. Sometimes this is also culturally or socially determined. In addition, certain behaviour has been made punishable by law or other regulations, e.g. the criminal law and the anti-discrimination laws.
Violence
Violence refers to any instance where a person harms, attacks, threatens or stalks another person either psychologically and/or physically. This includes verbal aggression (swearing, cursing...), threats and physical violence. This behaviour occurs on a single or seperate occasion and is not part of a repeated pattern, in which case we would rather consider it bullying.
Bullying
Behaviour that has the purpose or effect of violating someone's personality, dignity or integrity is called bullying. It can also involve online behaviour, in which case we call it cyberbullying. Deliberately creating a hostile environment is also considered bullying. Bullying occurs in words and/or deeds, and can be temporary or structural. It is a repeated pattern of behaviour. Examples of bullying include systematic gossiping, socially isolating someone or repeatedly spreading offensive content via the internet.
Discrimination
Discrimination means that someone is treated unfairly or unequally because of specific personal characteristics such as gender identity, skin colour and age. This includes not only direct or indirect discrimination, but also any incitement to discriminate, incidences of intimidation, hate messages and hate crimes.
Racism
Racism is where someone adopts a position of systematic hostility or contempt towards a certain individual or groups of people based upon their nationality, skin colour, where they come from, or their national or ethnic origins. (Source: UNIA)
Sexism
Sexism is a set of beliefs about the sexes and about the relationship between them. In these beliefs, there is an objective hierarchical relationship between the sexes and this relationship is also considered desirable. Sexism is an act based on an unjustified distinction between the sexes that adversely affects one or more members of either sex. (Source: IGVM)
Unwanted sexual behaviour
When verbal, non-verbal or physical behaviour with a sexual connotation has the purpose or effect of violating someone's personality, dignity or integrity, it is labelled as unwanted sexual behaviour. This includes the deliberate creation of a hostile, humiliating or threatening environment. It may involve unwanted touching, ambiguous or unambiguous remarks, intimidation, unwanted emails, leering, sexual assault, rape, showing or taking pictures...
Abuse of power
Abuse of power is where someone makes improper use of a position of dominance, influence or authority towards another person. This can take the form of inappropriate behaviour such as bullying, (sexual) intimidation or verbal aggression… People who find themselves in a position of dependence risk becoming a victim of inappropriate behaviour. Often, it is also more difficult for them to set boundaries or indeed to raise the matter of inappropriate behaviour, since this could expose them to negative consequences affecting the rest of their (student) career, personal assessments, future promotion, (inter) personal relationships…
Transgressive behaviour at work
The Welfare Act pays specific attention to preventing and dealing with bullying, unwanted sexual behaviour and violence at work. The specific definitions can be found on the website of the Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue.
Flemish Reportline for Transgressive behaviour
Have you been confronted with transgressive behaviour in a sports club, a university, a theater company or in any other Flemish sector or organisation? Or do you know someone who was? Are you seeking advice or guidance to take further steps? Contact the Flemish Reportline for Transgressive Behaviour for further help.