If you think someone you know is being bullied or harassed, there are lots of ways in which you can help them.
Bullying and harassment are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the University Harassment Policy. Understanding the behaviours associated with bullying and harassment is a good place to start. Most people will be able to describe what has happened or is happening to them and how it's making them feel.
Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened.
Harassment is when someone intentionally or unintentionally violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment, which interferes with an individual’s learning, working or social endeavours.
Harassment may involve sexual harassment or be related to a protected characteristic such as age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Find out more about sexual harassment.
Some forms of harassment are considered a Hate Crime. A hate incident or crime is any act of violence or hostility against a person or property that is motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person due to a particular protected characteristic. Find out more on hate crime.
Think
- Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile).
- Find a safe space - If an incident has just happened, try to help them find somewhere they feel safe. If this isn't possible and they are scared or fearful, you can suggest they call Security on 01225 875555 or the Police non-emergency number 101.
What are bullying and harassment? It might be useful to think about what bullying and harassment are and how some of the behaviours may present.
Talk
- Listen - just taking the time to listen to someone and provide them space to talk about what has happened can help. These six active listening tips might help you support them.
Published on Oct 4, 2015 Based on the Samaritans guidelines for active listening
- Give options - ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps.
- Refer them to Student Wellbeing Services - who can discuss in confidence the University's procedures, how to make a complaint and the support that is available. Advisors can talk both to someone who is experiencing a problem, and someone who is supporting that person.
Report
- Report and Support - students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. They can choose to do this anonymously or request support from an advisor. If the person making the report chooses to talk to an advisor, they will be able to discuss in confidence the options and support available.
- University Procedure - if they choose to make a formal complaint to the University against a student or a member of staff, there are procedures which will need to be followed.
Get Support
Find out what support is available if you think you have been bullied or harassed.
Mental Health
1 in 4 people is affected by a mental health problem in any year and it is estimated that around 1 in 5 people has contemplated suicide or self-harm.
- Find out more about the support available for mental health
- Take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you:
- Student Wellbeing Services provides confidential help and support for students
- Staff can speak with their line-manager, a Harassment Advisor, contact HR and access Lifeworks – the University’s employee assistance service.