UniSAFE is an EU-funded H2020 project that aimed to produce better knowledge on gender-based violence and sexual harassment in research performing organisations (RPOs), and to translate this knowledge into operational tools for higher education, research organisations and policy–makers. Research and outreach activities targeting researchers, stakeholders and policy-makers have been carried out across Europe for three years (2021-2024).  

The project has analysed gender-based violence – its social determinants, antecedents and consequences – using a holistic research model. This in-depth knowledge of existing problems, current and future priorities has resulted in an operational toolkit to reduce gender-based violence in the European academic and research area. 

UniSAFE’s outputs are based on a holistic framework – the 7P model – which supports the design of comprehensive policies, covering prevalence, prevention, protection, prosecution, provisions of services, and partnerships.  

The UniSAFE toolkit, developed by Yellow Window, aims to support higher education institutions and research organisations in addressing gender-based violence: whether they are just starting to reflect on how to address this issue, are designing a policy or are more advanced and seeking to improve an institutional policy or its implementation.

The materials underpinning the toolkit consist of the theoretical framework (Mergaert et al., 2023), two sets of policy mappings, a quantitative survey, in-depth interviews with victims/survivors, and institutional case studies. This toolkit addresses different aspects that are required for a comprehensive institutional approach to addressing gender-based violence.