Belgian higher education is introducing clearer rules for bullying, harassment and other forms of unacceptable behaviour. For Indian students and other international learners, the biggest change is practical: universities and colleges must provide identifiable reporting channels, confidential support and a process for following up complaints.
The phrase “anti-bullying policy” can be slightly misleading. Belgium does not have one single higher-education rule covering every institution in the country. Education is organised by language communities. The most detailed recent framework applies to higher education institutions in Flanders, while French-speaking institutions follow their own legal and institutional procedures.
The Flemish framework on transgressive behaviour has been in force since 2024. It covers bullying, harassment, violence, unwanted sexual conduct, discrimination and abuse of power. A government evaluation of how institutions are applying the rules began in January 2026 and is scheduled to run until June 2026.
What are the new anti-bullying rules in Belgian higher education?
The Flemish decree on transgressive behaviour creates a legal framework for preventing, reporting and following up unacceptable conduct in universities and university colleges.
The rules require each institution to organise several basic safeguards:
- At least one confidential counsellor for students.
- An internal contact point where students can report unacceptable behaviour.
- A central register of reports.
- Active follow-up of complaints.
- Procedures that explain what happens after a report.
- Protection for the confidential counsellor to work independently.
- Cooperation with student and staff representatives when policies are developed.
Bullying is only one part of the framework. Legally, the scope is broader and can include repeated intimidation, humiliating messages, social exclusion, threats, physical violence, unwanted sexual behaviour and conduct that creates a hostile or offensive study environment.
For students, this means that a complaint should no longer depend entirely on finding the “right” professor or programme director. Institutions must make their support structure available and explain how students can use it.
Does the law apply throughout Belgium?
Not in exactly the same way.
Belgium has separate education systems for the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community. The Flemish decree applies to recognised higher-education institutions in Flanders and the Dutch-speaking institutions in Brussels that fall under Flemish rules.
French-speaking universities and hautes écoles have their own rules, internal contact points and disciplinary procedures. A 2023 decree in the French Community defines abusive behaviour to include harassment, violence, unwanted sexual conduct and abuse of power. It also provides for reporting contacts and registration of reports.
Therefore, students should always check their institution’s education regulations, code of conduct and student-support pages. A policy at KU Leuven, Ghent University, VUB or a Flemish university college may not use exactly the same procedure as a university in Brussels or Wallonia.
What changes for students in practice?
1. You have a recognised first point of contact
A confidential counsellor is intended to listen, explain options and discuss possible next steps. You do not have to begin with a formal disciplinary complaint.
Depending on your wishes, the counsellor may:
- Listen and document your concerns.
- Explain internal and external procedures.
- Help you assess immediate safety risks.
- Contact another person on your behalf.
- Facilitate mediation where appropriate.
- Refer you to psychological, medical or legal support.
- Discuss whether the report should remain anonymous.
The counsellor is not automatically your lawyer or therapist. Their role is to help you understand choices and access the correct support.
2. Reports must be registered and followed up
Institutions must keep a central register of reports. This helps them identify repeated concerns involving the same person, programme or setting.
Registration does not necessarily mean that a public investigation begins. Confidentiality and data-protection rules still apply. A student can ask whether a report can be recorded anonymously or with limited identifying information.
However, anonymity has limits. If there is a serious and immediate risk to students or staff, the confidential counsellor or institution may need to take action, even when the person reporting would prefer no further steps. The exact response depends on the circumstances and applicable professional-secrecy rules.
3. Repeated complaints can trigger institutional action
A single incident may be handled through advice, support, mediation or a formal procedure. When multiple reports concern the same individual, the confidential counsellor may take an initiative to protect others and inform the relevant disciplinary authority.
This does not mean that every accusation automatically results in punishment. Institutions still need to assess facts fairly, respect the rights of the person complained about and follow their disciplinary regulations.
Students should therefore avoid exaggerating or circulating allegations on social media. Keep evidence and use the official process instead.
4. Policies should be easier to find
The new framework expects institutions to translate legal duties into concrete codes, reporting routes and communication. In practice, students should be able to find:
- The name and contact details of the student confidential counsellor.
- The internal reporting form or email address.
- Information about confidentiality and anonymity.
- The difference between informal support and a formal complaint.
- Emergency contacts for immediate danger.
- Appeals or review options.
- Links to student health, disability and psychological services.
If the information is hidden in a Dutch-language regulation, ask the international office or student services for an English explanation.
What counts as bullying at university?
Bullying usually involves repeated or systematic behaviour that harms a person’s dignity, psychological wellbeing or physical safety. Examples may include:
- Persistent insults about nationality, accent, religion, gender or disability.
- Deliberately excluding a student from required group work.
- Repeated humiliating jokes in lectures or online groups.
- Threatening messages or coordinated cyberbullying.
- Spreading private photographs or rumours.
- Using academic authority to intimidate or retaliate.
- Hazing practices that involve humiliation, coercion or violence.
A one-time disagreement, strict academic feedback or an unpopular group decision is not automatically bullying. Context matters, including the power relationship, seriousness, repetition and impact.
Discrimination and sexual harassment may be unlawful even when the conduct is not repeated. Students should report serious single incidents rather than waiting for a pattern to develop.
What should you do if you are being bullied?
Start by protecting your safety. If there is immediate danger, contact Belgian emergency services on 112. For non-urgent concerns, write down what happened while details are fresh.
Keep:
- Dates, locations and names of people involved.
- Emails, chat messages, screenshots and photographs.
- A short description of witnesses.
- Information about how the behaviour affected your studies or health.
- Copies of reports already submitted.
Then contact the student confidential counsellor, internal reporting point, ombudsperson or student services. You can ask for an initial confidential conversation before deciding whether to file a formal complaint.
International students may also contact their international office, student union, campus doctor or psychologist. These services may help with translation, cultural misunderstandings and practical support, but they do not replace the official reporting process.
Can you report anonymously?
Often, yes, at least for an initial conversation or registration. Flemish institutions such as VUB explain that students can ask for anonymous registration or request changes to their personal data.
Anonymous reporting can help an institution see patterns, but it may limit its ability to investigate a specific incident or impose disciplinary measures. Ask the counsellor:
- What information will be recorded?
- Who can access it?
- Will the person complained about be informed?
- Can you withdraw or amend the report?
- What happens if another student reports the same person?
Do not assume that an email to a general mailbox is confidential. Use the designated confidential counsellor or reporting channel.
What protection is available against retaliation?
Retaliation can include threats, academic disadvantage, exclusion from group work or pressure to withdraw a complaint. Tell the counsellor immediately if you fear retaliation.
Ask about practical measures, such as:
- Changing a tutorial or group allocation.
- Adjusting communication routes.
- Separating students during activities.
- Academic arrangements where justified.
- Support during exams or placements.
- A named person responsible for follow-up.
The institution may not be able to grant every request, but it should explain what it can do and why.
How is this different from an ombudsperson?
An ombudsperson commonly handles disputes about education, examinations, study regulations or unfair academic decisions. A confidential counsellor focuses on unacceptable behaviour and personal safety.
There can be overlap. For example, a student who is being targeted by a lecturer may need both a confidential counsellor and an education ombudsperson. Ask student services which route is appropriate. Using one channel does not always prevent you from seeking another form of support.
What should Indian students in Belgium know?
Cultural and language differences can make bullying harder to identify or report. Comments about an Indian student’s accent, food, religion, caste, skin colour or immigration status may be discriminatory rather than ordinary teasing.
Keep communication factual and professional. If Dutch or French is difficult, request an English-speaking counsellor or interpreter. Do not let uncertainty about residence permits, grades or supervisor references stop you from seeking advice. A confidential conversation does not automatically affect your visa or academic record.
At the same time, read your institution’s specific rules. Procedures, deadlines and available services vary between universities and colleges.
Frequently asked questions
Are the new rules a complete ban on bullying?
They create duties for institutions to prevent, receive and follow up reports of transgressive behaviour. They do not eliminate bullying automatically, and each case still requires assessment under institutional and legal procedures.
Can a university expel a student accused of bullying?
Possible sanctions depend on the institution’s disciplinary regulations and the evidence. A report alone does not guarantee expulsion. The accused student normally has procedural rights, including the opportunity to respond.
Can I report a lecturer or supervisor?
Yes. The Flemish framework covers behaviour between students and staff, including situations involving a hierarchical relationship. Contact a student confidential counsellor or the designated reporting point.
What if the bullying happens in a WhatsApp group or online class?
Cyberbullying can fall within the policy when it affects the educational environment or involves members of the institution. Save screenshots, links and timestamps before content is deleted.
Where can I find the correct contact?
Check your university or college website for “confidential counsellor for students”, “transgressive behaviour”, “social safety”, “harassment” or “ombudsperson”. International student services can direct you to the correct office and language support.
Are these rules the same in Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia?
No. Belgium’s education communities use different legal frameworks and institutional procedures. Confirm which community regulates your institution before relying on a specific deadline or reporting route.
The practical message behind the anti-pestbeleid hoger onderwijs België is straightforward: students should not have to handle intimidation or harassment alone. Know your institution’s contact points, preserve evidence, ask about confidentiality and report concerns early enough for support and protective measures to be considered.
