Erasmus University Ombuds Reports Lack of Confidence in Social Safety Systems
An Ombuds Officer for Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Wico Verbaan, reports that employees and students have limited confidence in the university’s systems for reporting and addressing concerns about social safety. In his 2025 annual report, Verbaan notes that many people choose confidential reporting because they do not trust that existing procedures will adequately protect them if they come forward. In 2025, he received 140 cases, including 65 involving psychosocially inappropriate behavior, compared with 38 such cases in each of the previous two years.
The university’s Executive Board said it was “shocked” by the findings and acknowledged that the report raises important questions about whether employees and students feel sufficiently safe to report concerns. The Board said it would discuss the findings with the Ombuds and other relevant parties and use them to further strengthen the university’s approach to social safety. The Supervisory Board also identified the wellbeing and social safety of staff and students as issues discussed with the Executive Board during 2025. (Erasmus Ombuds 2023-25 Annual Report; Erasmus Magazine.)
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