Harassment is never okay. We condemn unacceptable behaviour, including all forms of harassment under the Equality Act 2010.
If you know someone who has been affected by harassment, you are not alone, support is available.
What is harassment?
Harassment is unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct which may (intentionally or unintentionally) violate a person’s dignity or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment, which interferes with an individual’s learning, working or social environment. It also includes treating someone less favourably because they have submitted or refused to submit to such behaviour in the past.
Harassment may include, for example:
- unwanted physical conduct or ‘horseplay’, including touching, pinching, pushing, grabbing, brushing past someone, invading their personal space and more serious forms of physical or sexual assault
- offensive or intimidating comments or gestures, or insensitive jokes or pranks
- mocking, mimicking or belittling a person’s disability
- racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist jokes, or derogatory or stereotypical remarks about a particular ethnic or religious group or gender
- outing or threatening to out someone as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans
- ignoring or shunning someone, for example, by deliberately excluding them from a conversation or a social activity.
A person may be harassed even if they were not the intended "target". For example, a person may be harassed by racist jokes about a different ethnic group if they create an offensive environment.
What can you do?
Talk: If someone you know has been affected, you can encourage them to seek support. Additionally, if you have been affected by having witnessed an incident or learning of one, you can also seek support. Alternatively, you can make an anonymous disclosure which will allow us to investigate if there are multiple instances in one area and identify recurring incidents, patterns or trends.
Give options. When they have finished talking ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps.
A Wellbeing & Disability Advisor can talk through the University's procedures, how to make a complaint and what support is available, in confidence. Advisors can talk to someone who is experiencing something, or someone who is supporting that person.
Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support tool via this link: Report + Support.
You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
If you choose to make a formal complaint to the University about a student or member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow. More information can be accessed via our Academic Regulations covering General Misconduct.
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 friend to reach out to one of the organizations listed below for support:
Spectrum Life: Regent’s students can access 24/7 mental health support and counselling through Spectrum Life.
WhatsApp: text 'Hi' to 07418 360 780
Phone (UK) 0800 0318227
Phone (international) 00353 1518 0277
Access the Student portal
Samaritans : 24-hour service for anyone experiencing feelings of distress or feeling suicidal. Phone, email, text, letter, and face to face support is available in most branches.
Call: 116 123 (free phone), email: jo@samaritans.org (24-hour response), or visit 46 Marshall Street W1F 9BF (Soho) 9am – 9pm daily, no appointment needed.
Shout Crisis Text Line : Free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime. Students who are experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support can text Shout to 85258. See www.giveusashout.org for further details.
Shout Crisis Line: Shout is a free and confidential text messaging service, available 24/7 throughout the UK, for people who are struggling to cope.
NHS24 Mental Health Hub: Telephone advice and support on healthcare can be obtained from NHS24 by phoning 111. The Mental Health Hub is open 24/7.
The Listening Place : The Listening Place is open from 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week and offers face-to-face listening appointments for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. You can self-refer online or call on 0203 9067676.
Papyrus Hopeline247: PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people, up to 35 years of age. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be, you can contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice. Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860 039 967 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
National Abuse Helpline: http://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk or call free on 0808 2000 247. This call line is operational 24/7.