Social Safety at the Faculty

The faculty ombudsperson is an independent and impartial person you can turn to if you experience or witness inappropriate behavior – such as bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, humiliation, or unequal treatment. They will help you understand your options, offer a confidential space to talk, and support you in what you need.
The ombudsperson listens, reviews cases, helps find fair and safe solutions, and promotes a culture of mutual respect at the faculty.

What can you contact the ombudsperson about?

• If you are unsure whether something is inappropriate behavior and want to discuss it safely.
• If you need to share an uncomfortable experience you have had or witnessed.
• If you want to learn about your options without making a formal report.
• If you want to formally report inappropriate behavior.
• If you need support, accompaniment, or help deciding what to do next.
• If you want to contribute to improving the environment at the faculty.

What the ombudsperson can do

• Offer a confidential conversation and a safe space for sharing.
• Review a case and suggest next steps (respecting your decision).
• Facilitate dialogue or mediation if appropriate and desired.
• Support you in contacting other services (counselling, university ombudsperson, faculty leadership).
• Recommend systemic measures to improve the environment and prevent inappropriate behavior.

What the ombudsperson cannot do

• Impose disciplinary or formal sanctions (this is the role of other bodies).
• Recommend actions to the Academic Senate or the Dean.
• Act without your knowledge and consent (except where required by law).
• Provide professional psychological or legal services (but can refer you).

Contact and availability

Ombudsperson: Zuzana Rathouská

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Phone: +420 775 678 225

Office hours: every Wednesday, 10:30–15:30, room 212b, Building A, 1st floor

Individual appointments can be arranged via email

Contact persons are part of the social safety system at the Faculty of Science of the University of South Bohemia. They provide guidance and basic support to students and staff; they do not investigate cases or collect evidence.

What can you contact them about?

• If you are unsure whether something is inappropriate behavior
• If you want to share an experience
• If you want to understand your options
• If you want to report but don’t know how

What contact persons can do

• Offer a confidential conversation and basic emotional and informational support
• Accompany you to the ombudsperson or another responsible person
• Listen and support
• Refer you to external services
• Help you submit a report
• Decline a meeting if needed (e.g., due to time constraints or conflict of interest) and refer you to another contact person

What contact persons cannot do

• Investigate situations
• Make decisions on your behalf or influence you
• Resolve cases independently
• Guarantee outcomes
• Act without your consent (except where required by law)
• Provide professional legal or psychological services

Contacts and availability

(In preparation)

Inappropriate behavior can take many forms – these often overlap, may occur together, and in practice can look different from the examples listed below.

• Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that undermines a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, degrading, or hostile environment. It can be directed at a specific individual or be non-specific (e.g., remarks or jokes in a public setting), and what matters is not only the intent but primarily how the behavior is experienced by the person affected.

• Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence refers to behavior directed at people because of their sex, gender identity, or gender stereotypes. It includes a wide range of actions – from sexist remarks to psychological, physical, sexual, or economic violence – and is often linked to power imbalance.

• Bullying

Bullying is repeated and systematic behavior that humiliates, isolates, or harms someone and creates a toxic work or study environment. It is often connected to an abuse of power and can have serious impacts on mental and physical health.

• Manipulation

Manipulation is a hidden form of influence in which someone exploits trust, a relationship, or dependency. It often presents itself as care or concern but in reality creates pressure, dependence, or fear.

• Ridicule

This includes remarks or behavior that belittle or degrade someone, often disguised as humor or irony. Such behavior can harm individuals and groups and contribute to a hostile environment.

• Microaggressions

Microaggressions are subtle, often seemingly minor comments or actions that demean or exclude others, for example based on gender, age, background, or identity. Even when unintentional, their repeated occurrence can undermine a person’s sense of safety and dignity.

• Discrimination

Discrimination means unequal treatment based on personal characteristics such as sex, age, origin, religion, or health status. It can appear, for example, in unequal access to work or study, pay, opportunities, or career advancement.

• It is not your fault. Responsibility always lies with the person engaging in inappropriate behavior.
• Trust your feelings. If something feels uncomfortable or unsettling, it is valid to take it seriously.
• Talk to someone you trust – a colleague, fellow student, friend, or family member.
• Reach out to a contact person or the ombudsperson. They can listen, support you, and help you understand your options.
• If possible, document what happened – note the date, place, what occurred, and any witnesses; keep messages or other evidence.
• You are not alone. There are people and services that can support you – see the section Who to contact.

• If it is safe to do so, stand up for the person being targeted. Some tips on what you can do are shown in this video. Sometimes it is enough to interrupt the harassment by placing yourself between the person harassing and the person being harassed so that they have a chance to leave the uncomfortable situation. (Inspiring video here.)
• If you witness a physical conflict that is happening or about to happen and you do not feel able to intervene directly (which is okay), call the Police of the Czech Republic (tel. 158).
• Offer support to the person affected, for example by suggesting where they can seek help. In case of injury, call the emergency medical service at 155.

• Listen and give them space. Let them speak at their own pace without interrupting or filling the silence with questions.
• Show that you believe them and take the situation seriously. You can say: “I believe you.”, “Thank you for trusting me.”, “That sounds very difficult.”
• Do not blame or question them. Responsibility always lies with the person who behaved inappropriately.
• Respect boundaries and physical contact. If you want to offer a hug or similar support, always ask first.
• Ask gently and openly: “What do you need right now?”, “How can I support you?” Avoid intrusive or questioning remarks.
• Do not pressure them into any action. Decisions about next steps are theirs; you can offer to think things through together.
• Maintain confidentiality. Do not share information without their consent.
• Help ensure basic support if needed – offer water, a calm space, or help contacting professional services.
• The most important thing is to listen, respect their pace and needs, and let them know they are not alone.
• Take care of yourself as well. Hearing about such experiences can be emotionally demanding; it is okay to seek professional support or talk to someone you trust.

“Support phrase translator”:

If you experience or witness inappropriate behaviour, you are not alone. You can contact:

• Ombudsperson

The faculty Ombudsperson is an independent, impartial person you can turn to in situations where you experience or witness inappropriate behaviour – for example bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, humiliation or unequal treatment. The Ombudsperson helps you navigate possible options, offers a confidential space for conversation and supports you in what you need.
The Ombudsperson listens, examines reports, helps to look for fair and safe ways of resolving conflicts and supports a culture of mutual respect at the faculty.
You can contact the Ombudsperson when:
• You are not sure whether what is happening qualifies as inappropriate behaviour and you want to talk it through safely.
• You need to share an unpleasant experience you have had or witnessed.
• You want to learn about your options without making an official report.
• You want to formally report inappropriate behaviour.
• You need accompaniment, support, or help with deciding what to do next.
• You want to contribute to improving the faculty environment – even without a specific case.
What the Ombudsperson can do:
• Offer a confidential conversation and a safe space to share your experience.
• Review your report and suggest next steps (with respect for your own decisions).
• Facilitate dialogue or mediation between the parties involved, if this is appropriate and desired.
• Provide support in contacting other institutions (psychological counselling centre, university Ombudsperson, faculty leadership).
• Recommend systemic measures to the faculty to improve the atmosphere and prevent inappropriate behaviour.
What the Ombudsperson cannot do:
• Impose disciplinary or other formal sanctions (this is the role of other bodies).
• Decide on the course of further proceedings on behalf of the Academic Senate or the Dean.
• Act without your knowledge and consent (except in situations required by law).
• Provide professional psychological or legal services (but can refer you to the right services).

• Contact persons

Designated contact persons at the faculty can listen to you, provide basic support and information, and help you navigate the available options and services.

• Dean

If something seriously wrong is happening at the faculty, the Dean should know so that they can act. You can rely on the Dean to address such matters.

• Faculty Academic Senate (PřF JU)

The Faculty Senate is here for you – this is not just a phrase. The Senate functions not only as a faculty supervisory body, but also as a bridge between students, staff and the faculty leadership. It includes both staff and student representatives. Do not hesitate to contact them; they will do their best to help.

• JU Psychological Counselling Centre

The university psychological counselling service provides free and confidential consultations for staff and students who find themselves in a difficult life or study situation. The downside is that demand is high, so it may take some time before an appointment becomes available.

• JU Ombudsperson

The JU Ombudsperson provides confidential support to university employees in dealing with workplace conflicts, disputes and complaints. Among other things, they deal with complaints concerning inappropriate or arrogant behaviour of superiors or colleagues, sexual harassment, bullying, mobbing, bossing or other forms of disruption of social safety that are not adequately addressed by existing regulations.

• Student Evaluation of Teaching

If you experience mistreatment during teaching – for example, a teacher makes sexist comments or humiliates you – do not keep it to yourself. If you prefer not to use any of the options above, you can use the Student Evaluation of Teaching (SHV). It works. What you write there is taken seriously – but we need to know that something is happening in order to address it. The evaluation is anonymous.

• Support Centre for Students with Special Needs

For students with disabilities or specific needs.
Typical situations: mental health difficulties, neurodivergence, chronic illness, need for study accommodations (extra time, assistance, tools), barriers in study, discrimination related to health.
Focused on ensuring equal study conditions.

• Police of the Czech Republic
  For situations that may involve a criminal offence.
  Situations: sexual violence, stalking, threats, physical assault, or other serious violations of the law.
  In urgent situations, call 158 or contact the nearest police station. Reporting should be done with the consent of the person concerned.
• Helplines
  For anonymous crisis support by phone or online.
  Situations: acute stress, anxiety, crisis, need to talk to someone immediately, feelings of distress or danger.
  Helplines are professional crisis services, often available 24/7, and can also help you navigate further support options.
• Bílý kruh bezpečí (White Circle of Safety)
  For victims of crime and domestic violence.
  Situations: sexual violence, stalking, threats, domestic violence, or other criminal acts.
  Provides legal information, social and psychological counselling, and runs a 24/7 helpline (116 006). In-person support is also available, including in České Budějovice.
• proFem
  For survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
  Situations: sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, need for legal or psychological support.
  Provides legal, social, and psychotherapeutic counselling, a 24/7 helpline (+420 608 222 277), online counselling, and anonymous chat.
• Fokus České Budějovice
  For people experiencing mental health difficulties or living with mental illness.
  Situations: long-term mental health challenges, need for social support, return to studies after a crisis, psychiatric care, support groups, prevention programs.
• České Budějovice Helpline
  Phone: 387 313 030
  For immediate anonymous support.
  Situations: acute stress, crisis, need to talk to someone immediately.
• Spolu proti násilí (Diocesan Charity)
  For survivors of violence.
  Situations: sexual harassment or violence, domestic violence, stalking.
  Provides specialised legal, social, and psychological support.
• Agáta Centre – Dobrá Voda u Českých Budějovic
  For people with traumatic experiences.
  Situations: trauma processing, therapeutic support, safe space for sharing.

• Save the numbers for the Police of the Czech Republic (158), the emergency medical service (155) and the general emergency number (112) in your phone. Remember that in a crisis your memory may not work well (and probably won’t), so make it easier for yourself.
• Download the “Záchranka” emergency app. It has a number of functions, but the most important is that it allows you to call an ambulance that automatically receives your location.
• Download the university app “StuduJU”. In addition to many useful features for your studies or teaching, it will in the future also send alerts about extraordinary situations on campus. 
• Watch the videos:

• about how to stand up for someone being targeted (Nemusíš – můžeš: Mě se to netýká / “It’s none of my business”)
• about the impacts of sexualised violence and what to do and not to do (Nemusíš – můžeš: Ne znamená ne / “No means no”)
• about sexual pressure from a teacher (Nemusíš – můžeš: Něco za něco / “Something for something”)
• about sharing intimate photos and blackmail (Nemusíš – můžeš: Byla to jen fotka / “It was just a photo”)

• Educate yourself. We recommend the website and book Moderní sebeobrana (“Modern Self-Defence”), which explains in detail how to react when someone harasses or attacks you – and above all how to prevent such situations as much as possible. Several copies will be available to borrow in the Faculty of Science building. You can also practise reactions to various situations in the app OMG! by the organisation Konsent.