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 here
Where can you get help?
If at any point you feel harassed or bullied, you don’t have to suffer in silence. In the first instance, we recommend students concerned about harassment and/or bullying should speak with one of our Dignity and Respect Advisor (D&R) for a confidential chat so you can share what is happening and the effect it is having on you.
To speak with a D & R Advisor, please contact the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Office edi@herts.ac.uk who can allocate an advisor to you.
Other options, you can also discuss your concerns with:
- A Personal Tutor, Programme Lead or Module Lead
- Office of the Dean of Students, Student Wellbeing
- Counselling Service
- Herts SU Advice and Support Centre
- Report and Support
What happens next?
If you would like to speak to a D&R Advisor, contact the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Office at: edi@herts.ac.uk and someone will be allocated to you.
Remember that a conversation with a D&R Advisor is just that. It is not necessarily the start of any formal process but an opportunity for individuals to voice their concerns in a supportive and non-judgemental space and receive signposting and guidance.