We are firmly committed to creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful environment across all our campuses. Our approach prioritises the prevention of harassment and sexual misconduct, alongside providing clear and accessible support for those who experience it.
This webpage serves as the University's single, centralised source of information on how we prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct, in accordance with the Office for Students’ Condition of Registration E6. It brings together relevant policies, procedures, support services, reporting mechanisms and preventative initiatives in one place, to ensure transparency, clarity and ease of access for all students, staff and visitors.
The information is organised into clear sections to help you find what you need quickly and confidently, whether you're seeking help, guidance or wishing to understand our approach.
Definition of key terms
The below information shows a summary and examples of behaviours relating to key terms for tackling harassment and sexual misconduct. The behaviours provided as examples are illustrative and not exhaustive. Further definitions can be located on the Office for Students website.
Abuse of Power
When a staff member uses their position of authority to influence or coerce a student, especially in the context of personal or intimate relationships.
- Offering better grades in exchange for romantic or sexual favours
- Threatening negative academic outcomes if advances are rejected
Consent
A person agrees by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Consent must be active, ongoing, and can be withdrawn at any time.
- Saying “yes” freely to sexual activity
- Stopping any activity when someone says “no” or becomes unresponsive
Harassment
Unwanted behaviour that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
- Name-calling or insults
- Derogatory jokes
- Repeated unwanted contact
See our Dignity at Work and Study Policy for more details
Sexual Harassment
A form of harassment involving unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
- Asking about someone’s sexual history, preferences, or intimate relationships
- Persistently asking a student or colleague out after they've declined
- Sexual jokes
- Inappropriate touching or groping
Sexual Misconduct
Any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. Broader than harassment, it includes a range of serious behaviours.
- Sexual assault
- Sexual Harassment
- Rape
Relationships
Refers to intimate or sexual relationships between staff and students. These are strongly discouraged or prohibited to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest or abuse of power.
- Romantic relationships between academic staff and students they teach or supervise
- Failure to declare a personal relationship that may affect objectivity
See our Report & Support portal for further information on bullying and harassment and sexual misconduct.
Reporting harassment and sexual misconduct
We use a platform called Report and Support for anyone who is a member of staff, student or visitor to our campuses and experiences abuse, bullying, harassment, hate crime or sexual misconduct. You can use this site to disclose or report your concerns anonymously, or speak to an advisor who will explain the support and reporting options available to you, under our Dignity at Work and Study Policy and Procedures. Alternatively, the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy sets out other options for reporting. We would, however, encourage students and staff to use Report & Support in the first instance so they can access specialist support from a trained advisor.
Disclosing v Reporting
Disclosing means sharing your experience to access personal support. At this stage no investigation will begin and no disciplinary action will be taken. Students who have experienced an act of sexual misconduct are encouraged to make a disclosure through the University’s Report & Support portal.
Reporting is a formal notification that may lead to action or investigation. You are in control of what happens next and support is available either way.
Support for those affected
Report + Support
Use our confidential Report & Support platform to raise concerns, explore reporting options and speak with a trained advisor. You can report anonymously or provide your details to access further support, including a referral to our Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advice Service (SMLA).
Find out more and make a report ➔
Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advice Service (SMLA)
Our specialist SMLA offers confidential advice and support to students affected by sexual misconduct. The service provides emotional support, guidance on our processes and help accessing additional wellbeing or academic support.
Student Support and Wellbeing Services
Our Student Support and Wellbeing teams offer tailored support across a range of areas. This includes help with mental health and wellbeing, disability and inclusion, financial and housing advice, international student support and access to a 24/7 Student Assistance Programme.
Staff Support
Staff can access guidance and wellbeing resources through the Benefits and Wellbeing Hub.
Investigating harassment and sexual misconduct
The following policies are relevant to how we investigate allegations of student harassment and sexual misconduct:
The Student Sexual Misconduct Policy defines what sexual misconduct is and sets out the University’s approach to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct. The policy applies to behaviour and conduct by registered students against other students or staff members.
In terms of how incidents are investigated, the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures specifies that:
- The Dignity at Work and Study Policy and Procedures set out an informal and formal process to address and investigate harassment and sexual misconduct allegations by students against other students or staff members.
- The Dignity at Work and Study Policy is typically initiated by the individual (staff/student) and places them at the centre of the entire process. Conversely, the Student Discipline Regulations are initiated by the University and focus on managing academic and non-academic misconduct, with limited involvement from the reporting party.
- The staff Grievance policy will be used to address and investigate staff on staff allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.
The Dignity at Work and Study Formal Procedures and the staff Grievance policy set out how investigations will be investigated fairly, including timescales, process, potential outcomes and the appeal process.
Staff and Student training
As part of our responsibilities under the Office for Students’ Condition E6, we are required to ensure that everyone is appropriately informed to understand:
- What constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct
- How to access support and reporting services
- The standards of behaviour we expect in our university community
To meet this requirement all students and staff will be asked to complete a short overview module that explains the University’s policy framework, including how to find help and report concerns. This module contains no personal case studies and is designed to provide everyone with a shared foundation of knowledge, which we believe is essential for maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.
Staff also have the opportunity to undertake in-person virtual training focusing on creating a culture of looking out and standing up for each other and blends policy, support infrastructure and practical guidance.
For staff and students there are also additional e-learning activities available on Consent, Tackling Harassment and Being an Active Bystander. These modules are underpinned by credible research, designed by experienced specialists and aim to deepen understanding and equip individuals with practical tools to support the community.
If you are a student, you access the training through the Safe Inclusive Campus organisation on Elite.
Staff can access the training through the Safeguarding and Safe Inclusive Campus Learning Plan on the CLD.
We understand individuals may engage with these topics in different ways. For some, engaging with certain content may be emotionally challenging. We have built in the ability for students to step back from these modules if needed. Participation rates are monitored anonymously and only at a quantitative level, so no personal data will be linked to individual learners. We encourage students to take the steps they feel are right for them and we are committed to supporting your wellbeing throughout.
If at any point you would like to access support or speak to someone confidentially please consider the following services:
- Report + Support
- Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advice Service (SMLA) – trained advisers offering confidential, non-judgmental support
During the academic year we will undertake campaigns to promote awareness on topics including related to tackling harassment and sexual misconduct which includes interactive training sessions and sharing information online.
By being informed and aware we can help foster a culture of respect, dignity and accountability.
Non-disclosure agreements
From 1st September 2024, Universities were prohibited from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in relation to allegations of harassment or sexual misconduct involving students, a measure we have been compliant with for several years prior to the regulation being formalised.
This aligns with condition E6.10 of the Office for Students regulatory framework, which states that providers must not impose or enforce any contractual terms that prevent or restrict a student from disclosing information about such allegations. This prohibition applies to all agreements, including settlements, and is designed to ensure students can speak openly about their experiences, support others, and contribute to a culture of accountability and transparency.
We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment where allegations of harassment or sexual misconduct can be raised, addressed and learned from without fear of enforced silence.
Staff / Student relationships
We understand the need for measures which could make a significant and credible difference in protecting students from any actual or potential conflict of interest and/or abuse of power. Therefore, we have adopted a ‘notify and manage’ approach with regards to staff/student relationships.
An appropriate manager will conduct a risk assessment with the colleague and student to identify the mitigating actions needed to ensure any possible conflict of interest and/or abuse of power is reduced and managed proactively. This document will be stored in line with the University’s data protection principles as outlined in the Data Protection Policy. Further guidance is held within the Personal Relationships Between Staff and Students Policy.
Relevant policies and procedures
Dignity at Work and Study Policy - a clear framework to challenge and address all forms of bullying, harassment, discrimination and victimisation, ensuring these behaviours are identified, reported and resolved.
Dignity at Work and Study Formal Procedures - a structured process for students to make and escalate formal complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination or victimisation by other students or staff, ensuring serious incidents are thoroughly investigated.
Dignity at Work and Study Informal Procedures - outlines a route for staff and students to resolve concerns about bullying, harassment, discrimination or other unacceptable behaviour, encouraging early intervention through personal conversations, supported approaches or mediation to prevent escalation.
Student Sexual Misconduct Policy - defines what sexual misconduct is and sets out the University’s approach to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct. The policy applies to behaviour and conduct by registered students, against other students or staff members.
Personal Relationships Between Staff and Students Policy – sets out the guidelines, regulations and process around disclosing personal relationships between staff and students and how the University manage this.
Staff Code of Conduct* - defines clear expectations for Staff conduct to support a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Student Code of Behaviour - defines clear expectations for student conduct to support a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Student Social Media Policy - outlines the responsibilities and expectations for students when using social media, emphasising appropriate conduct both personally and when representing University clubs or societies.
Student Charter - outlines the mutual expectations between students and the University, detailing students’ rights to quality teaching, effective support and a professional learning environment, alongside their responsibilities to engage with studies, uphold academic standards and behave appropriately.
Student Discipline Regulations – outlines the process for investigating breaches and are used to determine whether a student has committed a disciplinary offence.
Grievance Policy* - provides a mechanism for any staff member to formally raise a work related concern without any detriment to their position with the University.
Student related policies can be located and accessed via our University Polices page held on the website.
*Staff related policies can only be accessed by employees and found on the People and Organisational Development intranet site.