VSS in higher education: the Mines Paris – PSL community gets involved and students win first prize in the competition

Organized by Maisons des femmes Restart in collaboration with Sciences Po, this half-day of debates and discussions brought together school administrators, experts, student associations, and researchers to share findings, strategies, and best practices for taking sustainable action against gender-based and sexual violence (GSV) in higher education.

Mines Paris – PSL participates in round table discussions

Mines Paris – PSL was represented at this event by several members of the student community and management.

Isabelle Lecallier, Head of Student Life, Career Guidance, and Equal Opportunities at Mines Paris-PSL, spoke at the round table discussion “Asymmetrical relationships and vulnerabilities: considering GSV in student life,” alongside school administrators and student representatives. She emphasized the importance of clear support for students, training for staff, and structured prevention measures within engineering schools.

She said: “First of all, I would like to commend the initiative proposed by the Maison des Femmes to bring together actors with a variety of profiles—management, student associations, observatories. This cross-perspective approach shows that gender-based and sexual violence cannot be combated in isolation, but through a comprehensive and collaborative approach. At Mines Paris – PSL, we are convinced that collaboration between student life, associations, and all staff is a key lever for effective action. Today, essential tools are in place—support groups, training, charters—but they are not enough. We must address the continuum, from gender stereotypes to violence, by integrating all links in the chain. Another point is that alcohol, repeatedly cited as a “trigger” for VSS, must be addressed without taboo in our prevention efforts.”

Eugénie Porre, VSS Manager for the féMINistes! association at Mines Paris – PSL, participated in the round table discussion “Institutional mechanisms: supporting victims and those accused.” She provided a student perspective on alert mechanisms, the need for transparent communication, and the value of community involvement in transforming campus environments.

The joint presence of staff and students from Mines Paris – PSL illustrated a strong message: the fight against sexual violence requires collective effort, bringing together institutions, teaching teams, student associations, and grassroots initiatives.

Students rewarded for their short film against VSS

At the end of these discussions, the first prize in the “ACTION against VSS” video competition was awarded to the short film “Sans voix” (Voiceless), directed by three students: Albane Hasbroucq, Clarisse Coulon, and Elora Lazaar.

This award recognizes a sensitive and powerful film that reveals the often invisible mechanisms of sexist and sexual violence and highlights the difficulties victims face in expressing themselves or being heard.

A creative and committed approach that reflects the students’ dynamism and their desire to raise awareness among the student community. The short film “Sans voix” remains restricted for the time being and will be broadcast more widely at a later date.

Winning first prize was a source of immense pride for all three of us. This project allowed us to express our commitment to combating gender-based and sexual violence, while exploring the power of images as a tool for raising awareness.

Elora Lazaar, student

Isabelle Lecallier: “At Mines Paris – PSL, we are fortunate to be able to count on associations such as FéMINistes!, whose commitment is exemplary. Their short film Sans voix, which won an award today, is proof of this: a student work of rare quality, which shows what each victim may feel and challenges everyone. This film is their creation, their voice—and it is up to us, as an institution, to support them and perpetuate this momentum. I would like to thank Eugénie for her enlightening presentation and warmly congratulate Albane, Clarisse, and Elora on their well-deserved first prize!”

Their work, like yesterday’s discussions, reminds us of a necessity: the prevention of sexual violence is a collective effort. It is by joining forces with students, staff, and associations that we will make our campuses safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces.

A lasting commitment to a safe and inclusive environment

Mines Paris – PSL’s participation in this event, both through its institutional representatives and by highlighting the work of the féMINistes! association, is part of the school’s overall approach: preventing sexual violence, educating student and professional communities, supporting victims in speaking out, and promoting respectful, safe, and caring learning environments.

To ensure this, several structural measures have been put in place:

• The Listening and Monitoring Unit (CEV): a central resource for support and guidance. Accessible to everyone at PSL University, the CEV offers:
• A confidential space for listening, welcoming, and providing information
• Personalized support
• A response within seven business days
• Referrals to the appropriate services (medical, psychological, legal, institutional)

A strengthened prevention and awareness policy. Mines Paris – PSL also deploys:

• An internal reporting and listening unit
• A VSS charter that defines what constitutes sexist and sexual violence, the levels of disciplinary and criminal penalties incurred by type, and the steps to follow to contact the various mechanisms available to students for reporting and handling cases of VSS (victim or witness)
• A letter of commitment to this Charter signed by all student association presidents
• Awareness sessions on the mechanisms of VSS and prevention strategies, particularly at the start of the academic year
• Close ties with student associations, which are essential for grassroots action and building safe campuses.