Review
Ideas and first steps
In 2019, the city of Graz successfully initiated the “LUISA is here” campaign to help those affected by sexual harassment and violence in bars. Since the implementation of this project, there have been more than 60 designated LUISA venues in Graz, and more are being planned. 17 youth centres in Graz have also established the campaign.
In 2022, this campaign was extended to the open-air swimming pools of Holding Graz through the project “LUISA goes swimming”, in order to be able to offer protection and quick help to anyone affected by sexualized harassment in open-air swimming pools in Graz.
Sexual harassment does not stop at universities either. In order to take action against this and to prevent attacks as far as possible, a sharper perception is required. For this reason, the Working Group for Equal Opportunities (AKGL) at the University of Graz, in cooperation with the TARA Counselling Centre, developed the "LUIS*A on Campus" concept. They were actively supported by the Coordination Office for Gender Studies and Equal Opportunities, the ÖH and the City of Graz. With the implementation of the LUIS*A on Campus Project, the University of Graz is now offering rapid and uncomplicated protection to anyone affected by sexualized harassment on campus for the first time at an Austrian university.
The goal is to ensure that those affected by sexual harassment receive quick and uncomplicated support on campus when they ask the trained staff of the designated spots for LUIS*A. Not only university employees (staff and students), but all persons affected in acute situations(locally) on campus can contact the trained staff of the numerous LUIS*A spots.
Implementation
In May 2023, the first LUIS*A on Campus Information Event took place on the campus of the University of Graz. During this event, the staff of the first two LUIS*A spots were professionally trained by the police, the AKGL as well as the TARA Counselling Centre.
On June 1, 2023, the LUIS*A on Campus Project was presented to the public during a press conference on the campus, which was reported by many Austrian media outlets.
At the same time as the press conference, the ceremonial opening of the first two LUIS*A spots took place in the circulation desk of the university and RESOWI libraries. Since then, people affected by sexual harassment can contact the trained staff at the numerous LUIS*A spots in acute situations with the code "Is LUIS*A here?" in order to receive protection in a targeted manner.
Outlook
At the start of the winter semester 2023/24, the campus of the University of Graz was equipped with additional LUIS*A spots: 19 new LUIS*A spots were opened at the beginning of October. The information events for the staff of the LUIS*A spots took place at the end of September: All new LUIS*A spots were signposted uniformly and all staff were professionally trained. A nationwide information campaign to raise awareness of the issue of sexual harassment was also rolled out at the beginning of the winter semester.
Further LUIS*A spots were opened at the start of the 2024 summer semester.
An evaluation of the project was carried out to identify any opportunities for improvement: The first phase of this evaluation started in the fall semester of 2023/24, the second phase at the end of the summer semester 2024. Further quality assurance measures, such as organising LUIS*A monthly round tables and LUIS*A information events, are currently being coordinated.
Further legal training on the topic of "LUIS*A in law" took place on April 30, 2024. Further events are being planned.
Thanks to
Special thanks are due to the courageous employees of the first two and all future LUIS*A spots as well as all other supporters.
The establishment of LUIS*A on campus represents a major step for the University of Graz towards the realisation of a harassment-free campus, which is only made possible by the support of many individuals.