We want every member of S.Z.V. Aquifer to feel safe and welcome, both in and around the pool. Unfortunately, undesirable or unsafe situations can still happen within any community, including ours. This page shows you who you can turn to — whether you just want to talk something through, need advice, or want to report an incident. You don’t have to be certain that something is “serious enough” before reaching out; when in doubt, reach out anyway.
What counts as undesirable or unsafe behaviour?
This covers a wide range of situations, including:
- Bullying or intimidation
- Discrimination
- Stalking
- (Sexual) harassment or sexual violence
- A culture of fear, or structural unfairness affecting a group of people
The impact of this kind of behaviour can range from anxiety and a lowered sense of safety to more serious effects on someone’s wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or obvious to be worth talking about.
Who can you contact?
You have several options, depending on what feels right for you and how comfortable you are talking to someone connected to the club versus someone more independent.
S.Z.V. Aquifer board members As a member, you’re always free to approach a board member if something is bothering you. Keep in mind that board members have not received confidential-contact-person (CCP) training, so for situations that need more specialised, confidential guidance, one of the options below may be a better fit.
SWU Thymos board SWU Thymos is Wageningen University’s overarching sports association, representing the interests of all student athletes in Wageningen. Board members have received CCP training and can support you in confidence. Email: vcp.thymos@wur.nl Tel: 0317-482746
Confidential contact person at Sports Centre de Bongerd Ingi Alofs is the CCP for Sports Centre de Bongerd and has completed the relevant training. Email: ingi.alofs@wur.nl
WUR Confidential Counsellor for Students For situations involving a fellow student or a WUR employee, or if you want advice on submitting a formal complaint, you can contact one of WUR’s confidential counsellors for students directly. They work independently, treat everything in strict confidence, and you stay in control of any next steps.
Social Safety Contact Point For a listening ear, initial advice, or a referral to the right person, WUR’s Social Safety Contact Point is available to all students. Tel: 0317-481774 Email: socialsafety@wur.nl
You can find more information about social safety for students on this page. Get more information about confidential counsellors for students here.
Other support routes worth knowing about
- Ombudsperson — for structural problems or injustice affecting a group of people, and for impartial advice, investigation, or mediation. The ombudsperson advises on overarching trends in the social safety domain from an independent, authoritative position.
- Student psychologist — if a socially unsafe situation is affecting your mental health. WUR’s student psychologists offer free, short-term counselling to students, up to a maximum of five sessions. More information here.
- General practitioner (GP) — for general health concerns or complaints. Many GP practices also offer mental health support through a dedicated mental health assistant (Praktijkondersteuner GGZ), so your GP can be a good first step for mental as well as physical concerns. More information here.
In an emergency
- Life-threatening emergency: call 112
- To report a criminal offence in a non-emergency: call 0900-8844 or visit politie.nl
- Thinking about suicide: call 0800-0113 or chat via 113.nl
External support organisations
- Sexual violence — centrumseksueelgeweld.nl
- Discrimination — discriminatie.nl
- Addiction — trimbos.nl
- Domestic violence — veiligthuis.nl
A few things to keep in mind
It can help to first talk things through with someone you trust — a teammate, a board member, a friend, or your study adviser — or, if you feel able to, with the person involved directly, since they may not realise how their behaviour is affecting you. But if that doesn’t feel possible, or hasn’t helped, going straight to a confidential contact person or counsellor is always okay too. Nothing is decided or shared without your consent, and it’s entirely up to you what steps, if any, come next.