All members of the University community are required to treat all students, staff and external customers in a friendly, courteous and dignified manner. 

Bullying and Harassment, Discrimination, Hate Incident/Crime and Sexual Misconduct are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the staff University Bullying and Harassment Policy and the Student Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

All staff and students have a right to complain in confidence if they believe that they have experienced misconduct whilst working or studying. No member of the University community is expected to tolerate what they genuinely and reasonably believe to be bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, hate incident/crime or discrimination, whether by a member of the University community or a third party such as a supplier or visitor to the University.


Reporting a student or staff member

If you choose to make a formal complaint to the University about a student or member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow. 

This depends on the information we receive and the nature of the incident. When we receive reports of unacceptable behaviour, the University investigates and takes appropriate action against those who commit, or commission, misconduct under our Disciplinary Policy and Procedure for staff and our Student Disciplinary Procedure.

Where an allegation is under criminal investigation, we may not be able to take disciplinary action against the responding person until these proceedings are over. However, if necessary, we will consider precautionary action to ensure that a full and proper investigation may be carried out and/or to protect the reporting student and others while the allegation is being dealt with as part of a criminal or disciplinary process.


Reporting a third party

If you have been involved in an incident concerning someone who works for one of the University’s partners, contractors or suppliers, you can use either the Whistleblowing Policy or Report + Support to make an initial report.  The University expects partners, contractors and suppliers to:
  • commit to principles of safeguarding;
  • respect our community’s personal dignity and safety; and
  • treat reported incidents seriously, investigate them properly, and take prompt steps to provide redress and/or minimise the risk of any further harm.
Although responsibility for investigating such an incident rests with the partner, contractor or supplier, applying their own policies and processes, the University can and does use its proper influence to ensure that these expectations are met.
 
If the incident concerns a visitor to the University, or someone outside the University community, you can speak to your personal tutor / line manager, Student Wellbeing / HR, or use Report + Support to make an initial report about the incident.  The University will support you however reasonably possible, which may include:
  • offering direct help (e.g. counselling / EAP, recognising extenuating circumstances);
  • helping you to find and access specialist advice from an outside agency or charity; and/or supporting you where possible with any report you wish to make to the police and/or other bodies. 

Support

The following links provide further information on the support that's available for students and staff, whether something has happened to you or someone you know:

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There are two ways you can tell us what happened