Unacceptable Behaviours
At the University of Staffordshire, we recognise that sexual misconduct and violence, covers a broad range of inappropriate, unwanted, behaviours. It includes but not limited to, sexual assualt, stalking, sexual harrassment, unwanted touching, and have a common thread of disregard of informed consent.
Sexual misconduct and violence is any kind of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, which is intended to or has the effect of:
- violating your dignity
- making you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated
- creating a hostile or offensive environment.
It can be any kind of unwanted sexual activity, which does not always include physical contact. For example:
- revenge porn
- sending emails with a sexual content
- making unwanted sexual comments or jokes
- physical behaviour including unwanted sexual advances or touching
- sexual abuse
- rape
You don’t have to have previously objected to someone's behaviour for it to be considered unwanted.
You can find out more about consent on our consent webpage.
Our commitment
In September 2022, University of Staffordshire signed a national pledge not to use Non-Disclosure Agreements for complaints about sexual harassment and bullying. This pledge is part of the University’s commitment in supporting survivors and providing a safe environment for all.
University of Staffordshire are focused on taking all necessary steps to ensure a safe environment that is free from sexual misconduct and violence, in which the rights and dignity of all members of our university community are valued and respected.
We recognise the devastating impact that sexual misconduct and harrassment can have on Individuals, their supporters and University communities. This is an issue being experienced across Higher Education and wider society. We take this point very seriously and firmly commit ourselves to the promotion of a culture in which any incident of sexual misconduct and violence will not be tolerated, will be actively challenged, and will be addressed to ensure a positive, safe environment for all members of our community.
Our community expects that all interpersonal relationships and interactions will be grounded upon mutual respect, open communication, and clear consent. Community members are expected to take an active role in upholding our collective commitment and in promoting the inherent dignity of all individuals.
Policies and procedures
The following policies are relevant to how we investigate allegations of student and staff harassment and sexual misconduct:
This guidance sets out policies and procedures on subject matters relating to incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct.
This policy applies to all students and outlines how a formal complaint/ report will be handled and processed.
This policy sets out the University’s approach to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
The aim of this policy and the Procedure for Resolving Workplace Grievances is to provide a fair and consistent approach for the consideration of employee grievances.
This information is provided in addition to that given in the University of Staffordshire Student Privacy Statement.
This Privacy Statement tells you what personal data we collect about you, how we use the data, the legal justification for using it and who might see it.
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 Share a Concern portal.
We use Share a Concern for anyone who is a member of staff, student or visitor to our campuses and experiences or witnesses abuse, bullying, harassment, hate crime or sexual misconduct. You can use this to disclose your concerns anonymously, or include your contact details. If you include your contact details, this will enable you to speak to a practitioner who will explain the support and formal reporting options available to you. All practitioners who have access to the information disclosed, adhere to the team privacy policy
Reporting is a formal notification that may lead to action or investigation. The University policies and procedures outline how formal reporting is considered by the university, this is usually by making a formal complaint to the university.
You are in control of what happens next and support is available either way.
Support for Students
Whether you chose to make a formal report or not, you are able to access support if you have been subject to any form of sexual misconduct or harrassment.
You can disclose incidents of sexual misconduct with the support of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Team. They will provide you with a 1 to 1 confidential space and can support you to get specialist help whether this is at the university or local services, as appropriate. They can help you consider your reporting options including whether you wish to report to the University to initiate the process within the Sexual Violence & Misconduct Policy.
Support for Staff
Experiencing or witnessing harassment or sexual misconduct can be deeply distressing, whether it happens to you directly or to someone you are supporting. The University recognises the emotional impact such experiences can have and is committed to providing a range of support options for staff. If you need someone to talk to, help is available through the resources listed below.
Help@Hand (Employee Assistance Programme)
Mental Health First Aiders
Trade Union support
Occupational Health / Vocational Rehabilitation Service referrals through HR&OD
External support services
Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment and Misconduct (Condition E6) Information page
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
Student Training
To meet this requirement all students will be asked to complete a short 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.
If you are a student, you will be automatically enrolled on the module and can access through Blackboard.
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.
We encourage students to take the steps they feel are right for them and we are committed to supporting your wellbeing throughout.
You can access support or speak to someone confidentially at any point.
Staff Training
A Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Mandatory Training course is currently under development, details of which will be circulated to staff in due course. Enhanced training will also be delivered to staff members identified as key in relation to the investigation of disclosures relating to sexual harassment and misconduct.
Reported students
The Mental Health & Wellbeing Team and chaplain can support reported students Reported students and provide confidential, practical and emotional support to all students who are facing formal or informal allegations of sexual misconduct, whether they have been named in a formal report or not.