What is Harassment and Bullying?
Harassment and Bullying is unwanted behaviour which can be offensive, malicious or insulting. It has the purpose or effect of undermining, humiliating and violating your dignity and can create an intimidating, hostile and degrading environment.
Examples of Harassment and Bullying?
- Physical threats or contact
- Offensive and provocative jokes or language
- Embarrassing remarks and unwanted comments
- Unwanted touching
- Spreading malicious rumours
- Ignoring and/or excluding them
- Ridiculing
- Cyber-bullying
What is the University’s Stance?
The University operates a zero tolerance policy towards harassment and bullying and believes we all have a responsibility to:
- treat each other with fairness, courtesy and respect
- work together to resolve any disagreements or tensions
Harassment and/or bullying is unacceptable and considered to be a serious disciplinary offence. Any reported incidents will be taken seriously and treated confidentially.
Please read our policy for further information or look at our Don't Suffer in Silence leaflet
Where can you get help?
If at any point you feel harassed or bullied, you don’t have to suffer in silence. You can contact the Equality Office and we will link you with a trained Dignity and Respect Advisor who can offer information, signposting and confidential and impartial support to discuss ways of resolving any issues. You can also discuss your concerns with:
- A Personal Tutor, Programme Lead or Module Lead
- Office of the Dean of Students
- Counselling Service
- Student Welbeing
- Advice and Support Centre of the Student Union
What happens next?
If you believe you are being harassed and/or bullied, contact the Equality Office and they will organise a confidential interview with a Dignity and Respect Advisor who will discuss options and support for dealing with the situation and will be able to advise you on how to make a formal complaint if necessary. The advisor's role is not to advocate on your behalf but to discuss options, routes and support for dealing with the situation.