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Sexual harassment in Brabrand is addressed under Danish national law and local practices in Aarhus municipality. There is no separate set of laws just for Brabrand - the same criminal rules, employment rules and anti-discrimination protections that apply across Denmark apply here. Sexual harassment can include unwanted sexual remarks, touching, requests for sexual favours, sexualised behaviour that creates an intimidating or offensive environment, and more serious sexual offences. If you experience sexual harassment in Brabrand you may have options including reporting to the police, filing a workplace complaint, pursuing civil compensation, and getting support from local organisations.
You may want to consult a lawyer when sexual harassment affects your safety, health, employment, reputation, income or legal rights. Common situations that lead people to seek legal help include:
- Serious or repeated harassment that feels criminal in nature, such as assault, forced sexual contact, or stalking.
- If your employer does not investigate or take action after you report harassment at work.
- If you are dismissed, demoted or otherwise punished after complaining about harassment and you want to challenge the employer's actions.
- When you want to make a civil claim for damages for personal injury, emotional distress or lost earnings.
- When you need help preserving evidence and preparing a police complaint or civil claim.
- When you need guidance about confidentiality, settlements, non-disclosure agreements, or restraining orders.
A lawyer experienced in criminal law, labour law or civil claims can explain your rights, assess the strength of your case, help you collect and preserve evidence, represent you to the police or courts, and negotiate with employers or other parties.
The legal framework relevant to sexual harassment in Brabrand includes several national laws and rules enforced locally:
- Criminal law: The Danish Penal Code (Straffeloven) criminalises a range of sexual offences. Unwanted touching, sexual assault and rape are criminal matters. If an act meets the elements of an offence under the Penal Code, the police can investigate and the public prosecutor can bring charges.
- Workplace law: The Working Environment Act (Arbejdsmiljøloven) requires employers to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. This includes preventing sexual harassment and bullying, assessing risk, and handling complaints through investigation and corrective measures.
- Anti-discrimination and equality rules: Danish rules on equal treatment and discrimination protect employees and service users against harassment based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics. Specialized bodies handle complaints about discrimination and harassment in employment and services.
- Civil claims: Victims can in many cases pursue civil remedies, including claims for damages for personal injury, pain and suffering, loss of earnings and reputational harm. Civil claims are separate from criminal prosecutions.
- Local enforcement and support: In Brabrand you can contact the Aarhus police for criminal reports and Aarhus Kommune for local victim services and social support. Employers and institutions based in Brabrand must comply with national law and local complaints processes.
Sexual harassment can be verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is unwanted and creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment. Examples include sexual comments, indecent exposure, inappropriate touching, sexual propositions and repeated unwelcome advances.
If you have been physically assaulted, touched without consent, threatened or coerced, you should consider reporting the matter to the police. For non-physical harassment you can still report the behaviour to the police if you feel it constitutes a crime, but you may also pursue workplace complaints or civil remedies.
Start by following your employer's internal complaint procedure - contact HR or a manager and make a written complaint where possible. If the employer fails to act you can contact the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) and seek legal advice about potential claims for breach of duty or discrimination.
Authorities and employers should respect confidentiality as far as possible, especially to protect victims. However, investigations may require sharing limited information with the alleged perpetrator and witnesses. Discuss confidentiality concerns with the police, HR or a lawyer before filing a complaint.
Time limits vary by the nature of the offence and the type of claim. Some serious sexual offences have longer or special limitation rules, while civil claims for damages have specific limitation periods. It is important to act promptly and get legal advice quickly to preserve options.
Useful evidence includes messages, emails, social media posts, photos, medical records, witness statements, CCTV, a contemporaneous diary of incidents, and any HR or internal complaint records. Preserve and make copies of evidence as soon as possible.
Employers must not unlawfully dismiss or retaliate against an employee for reporting harassment. If you experience retaliation you may have grounds for a legal claim. Seek immediate legal advice if you face disciplinary action after complaining.
A lawyer can advise on criminal reporting, represent you in interactions with police and prosecutors, assist with workplace complaints, prepare civil claims for compensation, negotiate settlement agreements, and guide you on protective measures such as restraining orders.
There may be free or low-cost legal advice clinics, legal aid for qualifying clients, and initial consultations through local bar association services. Aarhus-based legal clinics and the bar association can point you to options for initial help.
Victim support services, counselling, health services and local municipal social services can provide emotional support and practical help. If you are at immediate risk, contact the police. If you need medical attention after an assault, seek emergency medical care and request documentation.
For help in Brabrand consider contacting or seeking information from the following types of bodies and organisations:
- Local police - for reporting criminal conduct and seeking immediate protection.
- Aarhus Kommune - for local social services, victim support and crisis counselling in the Brabrand area.
- Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) - for workplace harassment prevention, employer duties and complaint options.
- Board of Equal Treatment or relevant anti-discrimination bodies - for complaints about harassment tied to sex, gender, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.
- The Danish Bar and Law Society or local advokatvagt - for lawyer referral services and initial legal guidance.
- Local victim support organisations and counselling centres - for emotional and practical help after harassment or assault.
Contact a qualified lawyer for case-specific legal advice and to find services that match your circumstances.
If you need legal assistance because of sexual harassment in Brabrand, use this checklist to move forward:
- Ensure immediate safety - if you are in danger, call the police right away.
- Preserve evidence - save messages, take screenshots, keep clothing, write a dated account of incidents and gather witness names.
- Seek medical care if needed - get treatment and document injuries or a forensic medical exam if appropriate.
- Report the incident - consider reporting to the police and follow your employer's internal complaint procedure if it occurred at work.
- Get advice - contact a lawyer experienced in sexual harassment, criminal law or employment law to review your options and next steps.
- Use support services - reach out to local victim support, counselling and municipal services to get emotional and practical help.
- Act promptly - legal options and evidence both become harder to pursue over time, so do not delay in taking the first steps.
This guide is for informational purposes and does not replace personalised legal advice. For decisions about reporting, legal claims or protective measures contact a qualified lawyer in Aarhus or the surrounding area who can advise on your specific situation in Brabrand.
