Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Reporting Platform
What is the reporting platform?
The reporting platform is a tool set up in academic institutions to collect and manage reports of situations involving gender-based and/or sexual violence, discrimination, racism or antisemitism.
What is the reporting platform for?
The reporting platform (https://cyu.integrityline.fr) allows any member of the CY Cergy Paris University community to report incidents of gender-based and/or sexual violence, discrimination, racism or antisemitism, whether they are victims or witnesses.
Its purpose is to make it easier to speak out, provide a safe space, and guide and support those affected.
Who can use the reporting platform?
The platform is accessible to anyone:
- studying at CY Cergy Paris University,
- working at CY Cergy Paris University (teaching staff, lecturers, BIATSS staff, etc.).
What types of incidents or situations can be reported?
Any situation or incident involving:
- gender-based and/or sexual violence (sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexist comments, etc.),
- discrimination (based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, origin, disability, religion, etc.),
- racist or antisemitic acts or comments,
- situations of harassment or threats.
A report may concern a single incident or repeated incidents.
What is meant by violence?
Violence is characterised by a set of behaviours that manifest hostility or aggression between individuals, whether intentional or unintentional, towards others or their property.
Verbal violence includes excessive, hurtful, or rude comments, or incitement to hatred, violence, or discrimination. Verbal violence includes threats, insults, defamation, and abuse.
Physical violence includes violence that harms the physical integrity of any individual.
Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act, attempted sexual act, comment or advance of a sexual nature directed at an individual without their consent. It takes various forms: sexist remarks, overly insistent invitations, touching and caressing of a sexual nature, sexual harassment, exhibitionism, blackmail, threats, and the use of force, which can range from a stolen kiss to rape. Rape differs from other forms of sexual assault in that it involves sexual penetration of any kind committed against another person through violence, coercion, threats or surprise.
What is harassment?
Harassment is characterised by imposing abusive behaviour on a person that may infringe on their rights or dignity, or affect their health or compromise their professional future. There are two types of harassment.
Moral harassment at work can be defined as a series of repeated actions that have the purpose or effect of degrading working conditions in a way that may infringe on the rights and dignity of the employee, alter their physical or mental health, or compromise their professional future.
Sexual harassment can take the form of comments or gestures with sexual connotations, particularly insistent behaviour despite repeated refusals, or propositions of a sexual nature.
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is unequal treatment in the areas of employment, housing, education, training, access to goods and services, and access to healthcare and social services, based on criteria prohibited by law: age, physical appearance, real or perceived membership or non-membership of an ethnic group, true or supposed membership or non-membership of a nation, true or supposed membership or non-membership of a supposed race, true or supposed membership or non-membership of a particular religion, state of health, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, family situation, disability, surname, sex, trade union activities, genetic characteristics, morals, political opinions, origin, place of residence, loss of autonomy, discrimination against a person because of their particular vulnerability resulting from their economic situation, apparent or known to the perpetrator, ability to express oneself in a language other than French.
What do we mean when we talk about sexist behaviour?
Sexist behaviour is defined by law as ‘any behaviour related to a person's gender, with the purpose or effect of violating their dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment’.
The report by the High Council for Professional Equality between Women and Men on sexism in the workplace identifies seven manifestations of everyday sexism in the workplace:
- sexist remarks and jokes that aim to conceal sexism under the guise of humour;
- incivility can be a sign of sexist behaviour if it is directed solely at individuals of the same sex;
- the obligation to conform to gender stereotypes, a form of sexism that can manifest itself in orders or simple remarks from work colleagues encouraging the individual to show that they have mastered the social codes of their gender;
- Familiar remarks aimed at placing the individual who is the target in a form of infantilising paternalism.
- Seduction that sexualises relationships with others and reduces the seduced individual to the status of an object.
- the valorisation of the complementary specificities of one gender over the other; this type of sexism consists of attributing a unique set of skills to one gender and preventing access to other functions or activities;
- sexist considerations about motherhood and ‘family responsibilities’.
Do you have to be sure that the facts are serious in order to report them?
No. There is no need to legally qualify the facts or assess their seriousness.
Any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, worried or seems inappropriate can be reported.
Can I report an incident if I witness it?
Yes. Witnesses to the above-mentioned acts of violence, discrimination, or problematic and/or inappropriate comments can also report them. These steps are important to protect those involved and prevent the incidents from happening again.
Is the report confidential?
Yes. The information provided is treated as strictly confidential and is only accessed by authorised personnel.
The data is protected in accordance with current regulations on personal data protection (GDPR).
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.
Can I make an anonymous report?
It is possible to:
- make an anonymous report, in particular using audio testimony with voice modification,
- leave contact information, but this step is not mandatory thanks to the platform's integrated messaging system, which allows you to receive a notification in case of a response.
In all cases, confidentiality is strictly guaranteed, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the recommendations of the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL).
Who receives and processes reports?
Reports are received by a dedicated unit, composed of trained individuals who are bound by confidentiality obligations and identified by the institution (e.g. equality officers, human resources, advisors, lawyers).
The hierarchy and/or the alleged or presumed perpetrator of the acts are under no circumstances informed of the identity of a person who wishes to remain anonymous in their proceedings.
What happens after a report is made?
- The situation is analysed by the dedicated, competent team.
- The person concerned is contacted via the platform within 48 to 72 hours.
- Support measures may be offered (listening, referral to internal services such as the student health service, or external services such as victim support associations, appropriate legal measures depending on the situation analysed).
- If necessary, institutional action may be taken (prevention, protective measures, disciplinary procedures).
No action is taken without informing the person concerned, the victim, unless there is a legal obligation to do so.
Reporting via the platform triggers a proposal for a listening appointment, carried out by a pair of trained staff members. At the end of this interview, a document is drawn up, validated and signed by the reporter and the trained staff members, then forwarded to the legal department.
Trained staff members are professionals in receiving reports, including a nurse, for example.
Am I obliged to file a complaint?
No. Reporting an incident on the platform does not constitute filing a complaint and does not oblige you to initiate legal proceedings
Can I have someone accompany me during the process?
Yes. The university offers support:
- listening and support,
- referral to the student health service (SSE) or human resources department, depending on the case.
Do I have to submit the report in English?
No, the platform allows reports to be submitted in 10 languages.
Is there a time limit for reporting an incident?
There is no time limit for reporting an incident, as it is not linked to filing a complaint, for which there may be a statute of limitations.
Am I protected against retaliation?
Yes. The law prohibits any retaliatory measures against a person who has made a report in good faith.
Protective measures may be put in place if necessary.
Is my personal data protected?
Yes. Data is:
- strictly limited to what is necessary,
- stored for a limited period of time,
- protected in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the recommendations of the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL).
Can I be accompanied outside the establishment?
Yes. The platform can refer you to:
- specialised external organisations,
- associations,
- national listening and support services.
You always have the right to use these services, regardless of whether you have reported your situation on the platform.
In addition to the platform, you can seek support from specialised organisations
Nightline, a night-time listening service run by and for students, offers a supportive environment where students throughout France can get things off their chest in complete anonymity, in French or English. Trained in listening skills, student volunteers are available via chat or telephone every evening from 9 p.m. to 2.30 a.m.
Visit the Nightline Paris website
Every evening from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.: 01 88 32 12 32
3919: violence against women info, national helpline, anonymous and free of charge for women who are victims of violence, their families and friends, and relevant professionals. 3919 is not an emergency number.
Women Safe & Children, an externalised listening and support unit, dedicated helpline for students and staff: 07 88 15 12 92
Women Safe & Children offers long-term support until victims escape the cycle of violence, a unique place that combines health and justice, multidisciplinary care specialising in psychotraumatology and victimology.
Consultations by appointment, Monday to Friday (in person in Paris or Saint-Germain-en-Laye or remotely)
accueil@women-safe.org
Visit the WomenSafe&Children website
Information Centre on Women's and Family Rights (CIDFF) by appointment, several meeting locations in Cergy: 01 30 32 72 29
Visit the CIDFF website
The CIDFF in Val-d'Oise provides information, guidance and support to the public, primarily women and families, free of charge and in confidence, in the following areas.
- Access to justice: CIDFF 95 lawyers offer individual consultations throughout Val-d'Oise and by telephone to anyone seeking information about their rights and how to assert them in all areas of law.
- Victim support: CIDFF 95 lawyers and/or psychologists and/or social workers meet with any victim (who has filed a complaint) or anyone who considers themselves a victim (but has not yet filed a complaint) at dedicated drop-in sessions.
Does reporting an incident place me under any legal obligation?
No. Reporting an incident is not the same as filing a complaint.
It is a reporting and protection measure, separate from legal proceedings.
Who should I contact if I have a question before reporting?
Several contacts are listed on the platform (email addresses).
You can ask a question without making a report.
How can I track the progress of my report?
Once the report has been submitted, a confirmation message will be sent. The person handling the report will be informed of the report and will suggest an appointment. This person is responsible for providing updates on the progress of the investigation.
Is reporting free of charge?
Reporting is completely free of charge, anonymous and available for situations involving members of the student community and/or staff at CY Cergy Paris University.
In an emergency, who can I contact in addition to reporting the incident?
In an emergency, you can contact the following numbers depending on your situation.
15 : medical emergencies (SAMU)
17 : police and gendarmerie
18 : fire brigade
112 : European emergency services
114 : replaces 15, 17 and 18 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, aphasic or dysphasic
Can I report an incident if it took place outside the university?
Yes, for situations in which the individuals involved are members of the student community and/or staff at CY Cergy Paris University.
This work received government funding administered by the French National Research Agency (ANR) under the France 2030 Plan, reference ANR-21-EXES-0008, as part of the CY Générations project.