Prevent

What is the University doing to address harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct?

The University has taken the following steps to address harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct. 

Please note, the following list is not exhaustive:

• There are multiple ways to report incidents (more information is available via our Report page.)
• Report + Support has been implemented to improve the ability of individuals to report incidents, either anonymously or on a name basis.
• The University has implemented robust policies and procedures to deal with incidents including, but not limited to, the Student Disciplinary Regulations, Student Procedure for Complaints, the Staff Disciplinary Procedure and the Staff Grievance Procedure. Policies and procedures are also in place to provide academic support to students affected by incidents, as the case may be, via the Regulations for academic appeals, Regulations for support to study, Regulations for extenuating circumstances and the Code of practice for temporary and permanent withdrawals: taught programmes.
• Managers are required to implement the Harassment and Bullying Procedure (PDF) and Sexual Misconduct Procedure (PDF) in their area and ensure that all their staff and students are aware of these procedures. There are no exceptions.
• When harassment and/or bullying and/or sexual misconduct is reported, support functions are highlighted to the reporting party, and any witnesses regardless of whether they are staff or students. Information relating to support is made clearly available via various mediums, for example, on Report + Support, in the Harassment and Bullying Procedure (PDF), in the Sexual Misconduct Procedure (PDF) and in person through managers and personal tutors. Support for both personal wellbeing and academic support is available.
• Mandatory training and learning is provided to staff and students to set expectations of behaviour and for managers to be equipped to respond and support.
• The University collaborates with the Students’ Union and recognised Trade Unions to deliver a clear and consistent message that harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct are never tolerated. This includes work on campaigns and education.

The University will take the following steps to make a significant and credible difference to protect students and staff from behaviour that amounts to harassment and/or bullying and/or sexual misconduct:

1. The University will continue to promote a zero-tolerance approach including through senior oversight and leadership;
2. The University will work with its student population to understand and respond effectively to incidents in the University community;
3. The University will collect, monitor and publish anonymised data in relation to formal reports and final outcomes to formal University proceedings as appropriate;
4. The University will ensure it is sufficiently resourced to respond to incidents of harassment and/or bullying;
5. The University will implement clear procedures in relation to intimate personal relationships which are strongly discouraged and, in certain circumstances, entirely prohibited;
6. The University will implement regular University-wide campaigns and targeted actions to protect students and staff from behaviour that amounts to harassment and/or bullying and/or sexual misconduct;
7. The University monitors the number and types of Incidents and the personal characteristics of reporting parties in cases of harassment and/or bullying and/or sexual misconduct, to inform its overall strategy.