Sexual misconduct or assault are never okay. We condemn unacceptable behaviour, including all forms of harassment under the Equality Act 2010 and criminal law.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct is a form of harassment and is unacceptable behaviour of a sexual nature. It can include: sexual harassment; sexual violence; intimate partner violence; sexual assault; grooming; coercion or bullying with sexual elements; sexual invitations and demands; comments; non-verbal communication; creation of atmospheres of discomfort; and promised resources or advancement in exchange for sexual access.
The term ‘sexual harassment’ captures only some of the possible abuses of power that may occur. Sexual misconduct more specifically raises issues of unequal relationships, consent, and the prevention of equal access to education, opportunities and career progression.
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is a criminal offence and contrary to the to our Academic Regulations, General Misconduct policy, Relationships With Other Staff or Students Policy and our Staff Disciplinary Policy. A person commits sexual assault if they intentionally touch another person, the touching is sexual and the person does not consent.
It involves all unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature and ranges from pinching, embracing, groping and kissing, to rape and sexual assault which involves penetration without consent.
Consent is agreeing by choice and having the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
A person is free to make a choice if nothing bad would happen to them if they said no.
Capacity is about whether someone is physically and/or mentally able to make a choice and to understand the consequences of that choice.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is unwanted and unwelcome words, conduct, or behaviour of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, embarrassing, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the recipient. It is a misuse of personal or institutional power and often based on a person’s gender although it is rarely about sexual desire.
Whether or not the harasser intended to be offensive is irrelevant. The limit of acceptable behaviour as described is up to the recipient to decide. A single incident or persistent behaviour can amount to harassment.
Sexual harassment can range from behaviour that stems from obvious to anyone or subtler behaviour less obvious to either the person responsible for the behaviour or to the recipient. Often the impact is not felt or witnessed immediately. The impact may go beyond the recipient to people who see or hear what happens or who try to offer support.
Sexual harassment can include but is not limited to: catcalling, following, making unnecessary and unwanted physical contact, sexual jokes and comments, giving unwelcome personal gifts, wolf-whistling, leering, derogatory comments, unwelcome comments about a person’s body or clothing, unwelcome questions about a person’s sex life and/or sexuality, engaging in unwelcome sexual propositions, invitations and flirtation, making somebody feel uncomfortable through displaying or sharing sexual material. Sexual harassment does not necessarily occur face to face and can be in the form of emails, visual images (such as sexually explicit pictures on walls in a shared environment), social media, telephone, text messages and image based sexual abuse, such as revenge porn and upskirting.
What can you do?
Listen to them, using active listening skills, even if you feel uncomfortable with what you have been told
Don’t question them - let them control the narrative
Believe what they are saying and confirm to them that you believe them
Let the student know that they have control over the next steps, explain the options available to them but let them make the decision as to how they wish to proceed
If they choose to do so, use the Report + Support tool to report something that has happened, going through this together.
Inform students that should they wish to, they can seek support via the Head of Student Experience & Wellbeing (Stephanie Murphy: stephanie.murphy@regents.ac.uk) or Chief People Officer (Valerie De Saegher valeriedesaegher@regents.ac.uk) Designated Lead Guarding Officer for Staff. There is also a general Safeguarding email, which staff and students can both contact: safeguarding@regents.ac.uk.
Advise students to contact Spectrum Life. They can be contacted via WhatsApp: by texting ‘Hi’ to 07418360780; Phone: (UK) 0800 0318227; Phone (International): 00353 1518 0277; or via the Student Portal.
Provide them with written information as they are in shock and therefore unlikely to remember any information you give them
In an emergency contact Security via 7777 (on campus) or dialling 0207 7487 7700 (off campus).
Alternatively, you can make an anonymous disclosure via the Report + Support tool which will allow us to investigate if there are multiple instances in one area.
Find out more:
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provides further information on unlawful harassment.
Seek Support
There are a number of specialist organisations that provide specialist support, including counselling for those affected by harassment. You could encourage your colleague, friend or peer to reach out to such support.
A list of organisations can be found here:
Rape Crisis: visit their website or call free on 0808 500 2222. This call line is operational 24/7.
Women's Aid: visit their website
Victim Support: visit their website
The Survivor Trust: visit their website
The Male Survivors Partnership: visit their website
National Domestic Abuse helpline: visit their website or call free on 0808 2000 247. This call line is operational 24/7.