Sexual misconduct, assault and harassment are never acceptable. The University has a zero-tolerance approach to this behaviour.
What is sexual misconduct?
Sexual misconduct is any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. It can be physical, verbal or non-verbal, and can take place in person or online. It includes, but is not limited to:
- sexual harassment
- unwanted conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment
- sexual assault
- rape
- unwanted physical sexual advances
- intimidation, or offering or promising rewards, benefits or opportunities in return for sexual favours
- sharing private sexual images or video of someone without their consent
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is a criminal offence and a breach of the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy. Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, a person commits sexual assault if they:
- intentionally touch another person,
- the touching is sexual, and
- the other person does not consent (and the person does not reasonably believe that they consent).
Sexual assault covers all unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature. This ranges from touching, groping and kissing without consent through to rape, which involves penetration without consent.
Consent must be freely given by someone who has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Someone who is asleep, unconscious or incapacitated through alcohol or drugs cannot give consent. Agreeing to one activity does not mean agreeing to another, and consent can be withdrawn at any time.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, whether words, actions or other conduct, that violates a person's dignity or has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. It is often a misuse of personal or institutional power. It is frequently linked to gender, and is rarely about sexual desire.
Some sexual harassment is obvious. Other behaviour is subtler, and may not be recognised as harassment by the person responsible or even by the person on the receiving end. The impact may not be felt or seen immediately, and it can extend beyond the person targeted to those who witness the behaviour or try to support them.
Sexual harassment can include, but is not limited to:
- catcalling, wolf-whistling and leering
- following or stalking
- unnecessary and unwanted physical contact
- sexual jokes and comments
- derogatory comments
- unwelcome comments about someone's body or clothing
- unwelcome questions about someone's sex life or sexuality
- unwelcome sexual propositions, invitations or flirtation
- unwelcome personal gifts
- displaying or sharing sexual material in a way that makes someone uncomfortable
Sexual harassment does not have to happen face to face. It can take place through email, social media, phone calls, text messages and messaging apps, or through images and displays in shared spaces (for example, sexually explicit pictures on walls). It also includes image-based sexual abuse, such as sharing intimate images without consent (sometimes called "revenge porn") and upskirting.
If this has happened to you
If you think you have experienced sexual misconduct, assault or harassment, you may feel unsure how to react or what to do next. Everyone responds differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.
What happened was not your fault. What you do next is your choice. Support is available whether or not you decide to make a formal report, and whether the incident happened recently or some time ago. You can choose to submit a report through Report + Support, anonymously or with your name, if you wish to disclose your experience with the University.