In our previous article on social safety, we wrote about what this term means – respect, trust, and protection. This time, we will focus on situations where interpersonal communication shifts from a normal dispute or misunderstanding to bullying or hate speech.
What is bullying?
Bullying is repeated and systematic aggressive behavior aimed at gaining superiority over an individual or group that cannot easily defend itself. It is not a one-time conflict – bullying recurs repeatedly and lasts for a long time (often six months or more). It affects not only the victim's mental well-being, but also their performance, motivation, and health.
Forms of bullying
Consequences of bullying
Bullying has serious consequences that may initially seem "only" emotional, but gradually affect health, performance, and interpersonal relationships.
These consequences include, for example:
Over the long term, bullying can lead to burnout or serious mental health problems.
What is hate speech?
Hate speech is an attack on a person or group because of their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or other identity.
It can take the form of verbal insults, threats, hateful comments on the internet, or other expressions of hostility.
How the faculty deals with prevention and resolution
At the Faculty of Medicine, we strive to actively prevent bullying and hate speech and, if necessary, resolve them through clear and safe procedures:
What to take away from this article?
Bullying and hate speech are not "just arguments." They are repeated or ideologically motivated attacks that can seriously harm individuals and groups.
The faculty has specific procedures in place—you are not alone.
If you encounter or witness a similar situation, do not hesitate to speak up. By doing so, you are protecting not only yourself but also those around you.
For more information, visit the Safe Faculty website.
In this follow-up article from our series on ethical and security aspects of the academic environment, we focus on ethics and the protection of rights. These values form one of the fundamental pillars of academic culture. They promote fair treatment, open communication, and responsibility towards students and employees.
SPARK Europe Webinar Series | 14th January 2026 |4-5 pm (CET) | Translational Pharmacology: Can We Get More from Our Animal Studies? | Anita Mathias, PhD (SPARK Stanford) | hosted by SPARK FLI
