Counseling options
If you have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, or other violations of personal boundaries at TU Dresden, you are not alone. You can receive confidential support at TU Dresden and from external counseling services.
You decide for yourself what steps you want to take. Seeking counseling does not obligate you to file a complaint or report the incident to the police.
Immediate Help in an Emergency
Helpline for Violence Against Women ✆ 08000 116 016 https://www.hilfetelefon.de/
Helpline for Men Experiencing Violence ✆ 0800 1239900 https://www.maennerhilfetelefon.de
Police ✆110
Anonymous Reporting
If you would like to report an incident anonymously, you can do so via TU Dresden’s digital reporting system.
→ Anonymous reporting via the reporting system
A wide-ranging counseling network is available at TUD for those affected and involved. For students, we recommend consulting the TU Dresden Counseling Compass, which helps you find the right point of contact for your questions about studying at TUD.
The counseling network supports those affected in addressing their concerns and, upon request, also assists them in filing a complaint with the Complaints Office.
Internal TUD Counseling Options
The Central Contact Point provides confidential counseling to students and employees regarding harassment, discrimination, and violence. It helps assess incidents, provides information on available options for action, and, if necessary, refers individuals to appropriate advice and support services. In addition, specialized contact persons and counseling centers are available for issues such as racism, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, or digital violence, as well as sexualized violence in the workplace.
For more information, please visit: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/universitaetskultur/antidiskriminierung
The TU Dresden International Students Commissioner has, in particular, the job of supporting foreign students and employees in the improvement of their living and study situations, if the support offered by the appropriate institution (e.g. International Office, Examination Office, etc.) does not seem sufficient. He is a contact person for foreign students and employees, should the Code of Conduct not be observed with respect to administration or instruction.
For all further information, please visit: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/gremien-und-beauftragte/beauftragte/auslaenderbeauftragter
The Commissioner against Antisemitism at TU Dresden is actively committed to preventing and combating antisemitism. The focus here is on developing and coordinating effective measures to raise awareness and educate people. As a central point of contact, the officer is available for advice, exchange and joint projects.
You can find all further information at
The representative for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses represents the interests of students with disabilities and chronic illnesses at TU Dresden. She offers counselling on all specific questions about studying with a health impairment at TU Dresden, they offer support in deciding and applying for studies, in organising studies and in completing studies. Individual counselling is available on compensation for disadvantages in study and examination performance, digital and structural accessibility and on support options in everyday study life.
You can find all further information here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/gremien-und-beauftragte/beauftragte/bfsb
The TUD's Equal Opportunities and Women's Officer provides confidential counselling to those affected and bystanders in the event of (suspected) incidents of sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence. The counselling is subject to confidentiality and can be provided anonymously if desired.
You can find further information at: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/gremien-und-beauftragte/gleichstellungs-und-frauenbeauftragte/beratung-und-service?set_language=en
You also have the option of consulting the gender equality commissioners of the faculties or central academic institutions. All relevant contact details can be found here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/gremien-und-beauftragte/gleichstellungs-und-frauenbeauftragte/contacts/gb-fakultaeten
Embedded in the administrative structures of the University of Technology and in a lively exchange and close cooperation with the Unit 9.3 Diversity Management and the Disability Representation, the officers help to design barrier-free teaching, research and working conditions and support employees and structural units in matters relating to people with disabilities.
All further information you can find here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/zentrale-universitaetsverwaltung/dezernat-2-personal/Beauftragte?set_language=en
In cooperation with the Staff Council, the Youth and Trainee Representatives providesupport in all matters relating to work and training.
All further information can be found here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/gremien-und-beauftragte/jugend-und-auszubildendenvertretung
The volunteer conflict guides of the TU Dresden advise and support in case of conflict. They moderate and mediate between conflict parties and work neutrally and without instructions. They are bound to professional secrecy.
You can find all further information at: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/angebote/konflikte-lotsen?set_language=en
The Personnel Representation Council represents TUD employees vis-à-vis the university management in a wide range of matters concerning the employment relationship and the workplace.
In principle, the Personnel Representation Council would like to contribute with its ideas to a better working atmosphere or to a solution of problems and to ensure that you get your rights. In doing so, the Personnel Representation Council can propose courses of action and make recommendations.
All staff council members are bound by law to professional secrecy.
You can find all important information at: https://tu-dresden.de/intern/dialog-und-organisation/personalrat?set_language=en
High demands at work and in one’s private life often lead to conflicts and stress, which cannot be solved independently. Therefore there are services of the psychological counseling for employees.
The psychological counseling is carried out by the psychologists of the Occupational Health Service, who are subject to confidentiality. The counseling services are open to all TU Dresden employees in technology, administration and science.
Any further information you can find here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/zentrale-universitaetsverwaltung/dezernat-9/gesundheitsdienst/angebote/psychologische-sprechstunde?set_language=en
Both studying itself and student life can be highly demanding. Therefore, study difficulties, personal conflict situations or psychological stress are nothing out of the ordinary. You can contact the psychosocial Counseling at Studierendenwerk Dresden at any time and receive expert advice and individual support in solving your personal problems.
Further Information you can find here: https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/english/soziales/psychosoziale-beratung.html
The aim of the queer peer counseling is to offer a central contact point for queer university members. It is an open ear to talk at eye level about experiences of discrimination due to queerness, problems in everyday life, outings, transitions, sexuality, and much more. It also aims to help queer people overcome the many hurdles they still face in their everyday lives.
Further information: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/gremien-und-beauftragte/gleichstellungs-und-frauenbeauftragte/unsere-themen/TINklusive-hochschule
Free legal advice for students is provided by expert legal advisors for students at the Dresden, Moritzburg and Tharandt campuses in Dresden and for students at the campuses in Upper Lusatia in Zittau.
https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/soziales/rechtsberatung.html
The tasks of the Representative of the Disabled are described in Article 178 Ninth Book of Social Code (SGB IX).
The Representative of the Disabled
- promotes the recruitment of people with disabilities
(see Article 164 (1) clause 6 SGB IX), - provides advice and help for people with disabilities,
- monitors the compliance with laws
(particularly with regard to Articles 154 - 155 and Articles 164 - 167 SGB IX), - applies for preventive measures (see Article 167 SGB IX),
- helps clarifying problems with employers,
- prevents dismissals of persons with disabilities (see Articles 168 - 175 SGB IX),
- helps with the layout of the workplace (see§ 164 (4) point 4 and 5 SGB IX).
Any further information you can find here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/gremien-und-beauftragte/schwerbehindertenvertretung?set_language=en
Counseling options outside TUD
The Antidiskriminierungsbüro Sachsen e.V. offers qualified counseling tailored to your needs. It is independent and confidential. The Anti-Discrimination Office supports you in defending yourself against discrimination and in asserting your own rights.
You can find all further information at: https://www.adb-sachsen.de/de/angebote/beratung#beratungsangebot
Opferhilfe Sachsen e.V. is a professional counselling facility for adults, young people and children who have been affected by a crime or can testify to it, or who want to find out about the situation of those affected.
The Helpline Dresden is an emergency telephone number that can be called in acute problem or dangerous
dangerous situations. It does not replace the emergency call to the police, but is intended to ensure that poor or lacking knowledge of German does not lead to delayed help in crisis situations.
The Helpline Dresden...
- ... connects people with little or no knowledge of German to the police (only in
English)
- ... can be reached 24/7
- ... is confidential and anonymous if desired
- ... supports you in making use of other counseling services in the city
- ... listens and offers further options for action
- ... documents right-wing motivated attacks and experiences of discrimination
The Dresden Guide for Crisis and Emergency Situations also provides a comprehensive overview of local support services for various conflict situations.
Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Incidents
Anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents can be distressing both on campus and beyond. Those affected can confidentially contact specialized counseling and reporting centers.
OFEK (Nationwide Counseling Service for Victims of Anti-Semitic Violence and Discrimination)
RIAS (Federal Association for Reporting Antisemitism): Cases of antisemitism can be reported via a form on the website
Claim Alliance (Alliance Against Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hostility)
i-Report (Recording and Documenting Incidents of Anti-Muslim Racism): Cases of anti-Muslim racism can be reported via a form on the website