The Equal Treatment Act prohibits sexual harassment and defines it as discrimination. § 1 piece. 5 defines harassment as "any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical behavior in relation to a person's gender", while § 1 subsection 6 reads: "Sexual harassment exists when any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical behavior with sexual undertones is displayed" - and in both cases "with the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity, in particular by creating a threatening, hostile, degrading, humiliating or unpleasant climate.”
The Norwegian Working Environment Authority has drawn up guidance that defines offensive actions, including bullying and sexual harassment. The guide is aimed at employees in companies, but includes all types of workers, also e.g. freelancers and project employees.
It is a question of offensive actions, writes the Norwegian Working Environment Authority, when one or more persons rudely or repeatedly exposes one or more other persons to bullying, sexual harassment or other degrading behavior at work.
To be offensive, the behavior must be perceived as degrading by the victim(s). It is irrelevant whether the actions are an expression of thoughtlessness or a definite desire to offend. According to the Norwegian Working Environment Authority, it is the person's experience of the offending actions that is central.
Offensive actions are a collective term for bullying, sexual harassment and other ways in which violations can occur at work and in work-related contexts, e.g. also on social media.
The Norwegian Working Environment Authority has a hotline for people who have experienced abusive acts. On the hotline, you can get guidance on how to handle the experience. Guidance is also given on how, for example, sexual harassment is prevented.
Anyone who has experienced or knows of violations in a workplace can use the hotline. That means both the person who has experienced the violation, colleagues, family and others. Call the hotline on 72 22 12 80. Read more about the Norwegian Working Environment Authority's hotline and guidance on this link.
Out in the arts, there is often no management in situations where violations can occur. Therefore, use BKF if you experience violations or a problematic and discriminatory working environment in the art world.
You can also get help and guidance from BKF if you have experienced discrimination, sexual harassment or violations in your working life as a visual artist or as a student on an art education.
Call BKF's lawyer on 33 12 81 74. The lawyer can help you clarify where you can get further relevant help and together with you assess how/whether you want to proceed with the case.
Ask if you are in doubt about where other people's boundaries are.
If you do not know whether your behavior, language or other actions are or will be unwelcome, ask the person concerned. Ask your colleague. Or get advice and guidance in the policies drawn up by the institutions of the art life, or in the professional organizations of the art life.
Photo at top: Art Differences Communities. Art project by Bettina Camilla Vestergaard and Yvette Brackman. Read more about the project, which is supported by BKF's committee for the distribution of cultural funds, here. Photo: Malle Madsen