An Extended Policy Analysis of Flemish Universities' Intersectional Commitments to Sexually Transgressive Behaviour

Abstract

The prevention and follow‐up of (sexually) transgressive behaviour (STB) are included as priorities in the Gender Charter signed by all Flemish universities and in their GEPs. Moreover, since 2022, testimonies of STB at Flemish universities have garnered significant media attention. Consequently, the universities have faced increased societal and legislative pressure to develop better organisational policies relating to STB. This article interrogates these revised organisational documents by employing an extended policy analysis. The 'extended' nature of this analysis relates to the expansive approach we have taken to defining policy: instead of focusing exclusively on organisational policy documents, our analysis locates the use of policy in conjunction with other information sources and organisational commitments, produced for varied audiences. Our analysis has been informed by intersectionality, and special attention was paid to (absence of) language referring to oppression, discrimination, and minoritised identities. The analysis yielded the following results: First, there is a clear division between "aspirational" policy commitments to intersectionality and their operationalisation in "procedural" policy documents; policy discussion on STB is largely identity‐neutral; and STB and discrimination are presented as separate forms of transgressive behaviour, while their intersection remains unrecognised. We argue that current procedural policy on STB ignores the unequal distribution of exposure to STB and obscures identity‐related experiences, especially intersectional experiences. As a result, the identity‐neutrality of STB procedures could frustrate efforts to create a more gender‐equal environment, especially for multiply minoritised staff and students.