Information on Harassment and Sexual Misconduct for Students
The University of Reading is committed to maintaining a learning, living, social and working environment that is free from any unlawful Harassment, in whatever form that may take, and from sexual misconduct. We aim to foster an environment where all students are treated and treat others with dignity and respect.
This document serves as the University's single, consolidated source of information on how we prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct, in accordance with the Office for Students’ Condition of Registration E6. It brings together relevant policies, procedures, support services, reporting mechanisms and preventative initiatives in one place, to ensure transparency, clarity and ease of access for all students, staff and visitors.
If you are a student studying at an overseas campus or with a partner institution, please refer to the section below that will be relevant for you.
Unlawful harassment is:
1. Unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. The effect of the conduct (and not the intentions behind it) is key to deciding whether harassment has occurred here. A single event or a series of incidents might constitute harassment; or
2. A course of conduct which amounts to harassment of another, and which he knows or ought to know amounts to harassment. This includes but is not limited to causing alarm or distress through repeated behaviour
Unlawful Sexual Harassment involves conduct of a sexual nature.
Detailed explanations of the different forms that harassment can take, and the relevant test for determining whether something is Harassment are set out in the University’s Harassment and Bullying Policy.
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. Sexual misconduct specifically raises issues of unequal relationships, consent, and the prevention of equal access to education, opportunities and career progression.
Sexual misconduct relates to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Sexual harassment
• Assault
• Rape
• Physical unwanted sexual advances
• Intimidation or promising resources or benefits in return for sexual favours
• Distributing private and personal explicit images or video footage of an individual without their consent
Students can also report instances of harassment or sexual misconduct by contacting the Student Welfare team by email, phone or in-person during drop-in times. Staff can raise a concern on behalf of a student through the same channels.
Students on placement and study abroad can report instances of harassment or sexual misconduct to the University via the channels above and/or to the organisation they are working for or the host university they are studying at. Code of Practice for Work-based and Placement Learning.
What happens following a report being made will depend on what exactly is reported, the information provided, and what the reporter wants to happen next. Anonymous reports cannot normally be investigated, but for other reports the University will assign someone to explore the next steps with you if this is something you wish. Read more in the Report & Support frequently asked questions.
Where a student does not wish to seek welfare support from the University but does wish to pursue a complaint they can contact the Student Appeals, Complaints and Discipline team directly: studentdiscipline@reading.ac.uk.
The Student Welfare Team will connect students with the University Counselling team, where appropriate, and will also refer students to and liaise with specialist organisations outside the University e.g. Trust House is our local specialist service for sexual violence and abuse victims in Reading.
The Welfare Advisors will liaise with other parts of the University on the student’s behalf if they wish. For example with the Security Team where a student is concerned about their personal safety or the Accommodation Team if the student wishes to move rooms or Halls following an incident.
The Welfare Advisors will discuss whether the student wants to take further steps involving the University’s discipline process or external agencies such as the Police. Where a student wishes to pursue a complaint the Welfare Advisors will support them to take the necessary steps and throughout the process.
Students on placement and study abroad (incoming and outgoing) can access support via Report and Support or by contacting the Student Welfare Team directly.
The Student Welfare Team also provide support for students who are accused of harassment or sexual misconduct.
The University further supports students who find that their academic studies are impacted by experience of harassment or sexual misconduct. Such experiences are regarded as ‘exceptional circumstances’ and therefore a wide range of appropriate adjustments to assessments or other academic commitments can be made to allow students time and space without jeopardising their academic progress. Several of the adjustments (e.g. short and long coursework extensions) can be requested without the need to provide detailed statements or evidence about their experience.
Where a student’s studies are negatively impacted over a more prolonged period of time there is provision for students to suspend their studies for a time, apply to repeat the year, or to transfer to a different course.
The University is committed to conducting a fair and transparent process when considering student and staff complaints and disciplinary issues. The disciplinary processes provide a framework for ensuring that allegations of misconduct are treated fairly and the University acts reasonably towards all parties. Allegations are handled sensitively and with appropriate confidentially, and students are supported throughout the process. Investigating officers and panel members are appointed from within key roles and Reading Students Union (RSU) will also have representation.
The detailed investigatory process is set out in the Student Disciplinary Procedure and the Staff Disciplinary Procedure , depending on whether the allegation is made against a student or a member of staff. There are six main steps:
1. An investigator is appointed – in the case of a harassment or sexual misconduct allegation the investigator will have had appropriate training to manage the investigation.
2. Individuals involved will be notified, e.g. the person against whom an allegation has been made and any witnesses
3. Evidence relating to the case will be gathered through speaking to the reporter and reported parties, any witnesses or other parties, gathering any other appropriate materials that may be relevant e.g. correspondence, social media content, on campus CCTV etc. Any student who is spoken to as part of the investigation can be accompanied by a ‘friend’ as detailed in the procedure.
4. The investigator will compile a report and come to a recommendation made on ‘the balance of probabilities’ based on the evidence available.
5. Decisions will be made at a Disciplinary Hearing involves a small panel of staff who are appropriately qualified to ensure a fair and credible outcome.
6. Where a student or member of staff is given a disciplinary sanction, they will have the right to appeal the decision.
A list of possible outcomes can be found in sections 6.4 and 7.5 of the Student Discipline Procedure. A list of the possible outcomes where the allegation is against a member of staff can be found in section 11 of the Staff Disciplinary Procedure. Outcomes can be appealed by the reported party where there are sufficient grounds, but not by the reporter.
The University is unable to investigate allegations where the reported party is not a member of the University, although it will consider if other steps (such as raising a complaint with a supplier) are appropriate
New students are introduced to the university’s expectations on behaviour during the admissions process. Training on harassment, sexual consent and sexual misconduct forms a mandatory part of the enrolment or induction process. The interactive training is provided to most students via on online platform. Information on the content of the training and how to access it can be found on our Essentials website.
Guidance on University of Reading specific policies and processes is included in mandatory timetabled School induction activities delivered to new students
Messaging concerning expectations of behaviour is embedded across the annual cycle of daily/weekly and termly communications to student including via email newsletters, social media channels, student created blogs etc.
Specific campaigns on preventing harassment and sexual misconduct are developed and refreshed over time. For Example, the #NeverOK campaign and sexual harassment campaign (See it, Say it, Stop it). These are always developed in partnership with the Reading Student Union. The University also joins forces with national campaigns such as the UK Government Enough Campaign to stop violence against women and girls.
Specialist Student Wellbeing Staff
All members of our Student Welfare Team and Counselling and Wellbeing Team are trained in recognising and responding appropriately to disclosures of harassment and sexual misconduct. In addition they are experienced in dealing with complex, difficult and sensitive situations. The Student Welfare Team have professional qualification in an area such as social work or counselling. The Counselling and Wellbeing practitioners are qualified counsellors or cognitive behavioural therapists accredited with either the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies . The mental health advisors are trained mental health nurses or social workers.
Other Professional Services staff
Other professional services staff that play a significant role in supporting students who have experienced harassment or sexual misconduct have undertaken harassment and sexual misconduct training (e.g. Hall Wardens and mentors, Student Support Co-ordinators, Disability Advisors, the Security Team and the Student Appeals, Complaints and Discipline Team).
Academic staff
Academic staff, i.e. lecturers, academic tutors, supervisors and Director of Academic Tutoring etc. support students with their studies and as such are encouraged to undertake the University’s harassment and sexual misconduct training.
Staff involved in Investigations and disciplinary processes
Staff involved in investigations and disciplinary processes are expected to undertake a broad investigations training course. Members of Disciplinary panels hearing harassment or sexual misconduct cases are trained in harassment and sexual misconduct. The Chair of the Standing Disciplinary committee is specifically trained in sexual harassment in the context of disciplinary proceedings.
The policy seeks to “protect students from improper conduct by members of staff” and as such sets out a very clear position with regard to relationships between staff and students, stating:
“It is incumbent on staff to understand what behaviours may amount to sexual harassment and to avoid it. Students are entitled to attend University without fear of unwanted sexual approaches or being put in uncomfortable situations by members of staff. All staff should be aware and comply with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy and the Harassment and Bullying Policy Statement.
Personal relationships that existed before one or both parties became members of the university are permitted but it is mandatory that these relationships are formally disclosed to the university by the member of staff.
Students can seek support for harassment or sexual misconduct that occurs involving a member of staff, regardless of whether they are already in a relationship with that staff member and whether it is permitted under the policy. A student reporting a personal relationship under this policy will not be treated less favourably or penalised for doing so. Further information can be found in the Student-Staff Relationships Policy.
The University takes a wide range of other steps to protect students
• The University has a Steering Group with the specific remit to oversee how we prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct. This group involves student representatives and regularly reviews the mechanisms in place to protect students.
• The University provides a 24hr student support line accessed by phone, live chat or video call. This is staffed by professional and qualified advisors. The service provides immediate support and guidance to students 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, wherever they may be in the world.
• In recognition that many of our students do not have English as a first language the 24hr Student Support Line is also equipped with an on-demand confidential high quality interpreter and translation service in over 240 languages
• University owned accommodation on and off-campus are staffed 24hrs a day by a team of professional Hall Wardens who can be called out to speak in-person to or support students at any time of the night or day including during the vacation and closure periods of the University. Wardens are trained in understanding harassment and sexual misconduct and in responding appropriately to disclosures.
• The Campus is staffed by our own dedicated Security Team 24hrs a day including during the vacation and closure periods of the University. Students are actively encouraged to call them if they feel unsafe or have a concern about the safety of another student. The Security Team are trained in understanding and recognising harassment and sexual misconduct and in responding appropriately to disclosures
• The Security Team provides a chaperon service for students who may feel unsafe on the campus at any time.
• The University promotes and encourages (in conjunction with the Reading Student Union) students to make use of the MyWay app that helps them to identify safe routes home.
• Placement providers and students are issued guidance on who to contact at the university if a student is experiencing harassment or sexual misconduct in their organisation. Students are encouraged to report concerns to the University via the normal channels even while away from the University on placement. A member of staff will liaise with the placement provider to support the student and to determine whether case was appropriately managed in order to inform decisions on whether the University would continue to place students with that organisation in the future.
• The University’s Report & Support platform allows students to report anonymously. Although this does not allow specific instances to be investigated it does help to reveal broad patterns of behaviour that are addressed through pro-active raising awareness and campaign work.
• The University recognises that some students wish to seek support outside the University. Information is provided on a wide range of other support services relevant to harassment and sexual misconduct both general and those that provide support for people who identify in specific ways.
• The University carries out regular evaluation of the key mechanisms that prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct. This includes assessing: feedback on the usefulness and effectiveness of the student training; feedback on knowledge and use of the Report & Support Platform and feedback from students on the support they have received by the Student Welfare Team.
The University treats all its students, regardless of age, as independent, mature individuals. However, the University acknowledges that anyone under the age of 18 is legally a child in the UK and therefore recognises the importance of procedures and provisions specifically for these students in certain circumstances. The Policy on Students under the Age of 18 Years on Entry to the University of Reading sets out the University’s approach.
In relation to harassment and sexual misconduct the same policies, procedures and support arrangements generally apply to students under the age of 18, however, in addition the Policy on Safeguarding children and Adults at Risk applies. The University has a responsibility to protect those under the age of 18 years from abuse and is therefore obliged to report any suspicions or allegations of abuse of children to the appropriate Children’s Social Care service. The Policy sets out the University’s statutory obligations in relation to Safeguarding children and adults at risk and provides guidance on what constitutes abuse (including harassment and sexual misconduct).
Each academic School has a safeguarding co-ordinator who works closely with the University’s safeguarding leads should a safeguarding concern be raised. The Policy outlines how safeguarding concerns should be reported.
Reporting harassment or sexual misconduct
Students studying at campuses outside the UK or non-UoR campuses in the UK should report instances of harassment or sexual misconduct via the local support channels for the campus at which they study. See specific guidance provided during induction for important contacts and resources at these campuses.
Support for those affected by harassment and sexual misconduct
Students should seek support for instances of harassment or sexual misconduct via the local support teams for the campus at which they study. See specific guidance provided during induction for important contacts and resources at these campuses.
Investigating harassment and sexual misconduct
The policies and processes relating to what happens when an incident is reported are specific to the partner institution or campus at which a student is studying. This includes how information is handled and informing individuals of outcomes. Relevant information can be found in student handbooks and induction guidance.
Training and guidance for students
The University is working with its partner organisations to ensure that harassment and sexual misconduct training is provided to UoR students which is appropriate to the cultural and legal context in which they live and study.
Training for staff
The University is working with its partner organisations to ensure that staff who teach or support UoR students but who are not UoR employees and UoR staff based at overseas campuses have appropriate harassment and sexual misconduct training for their roles and the cultural and legal context in which they work.
The University protects and encourages free speech and academic freedom within the law for its staff and students. The University’s Freedom of Speech Code of Practice (the Code) has been enacted to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable, freedom of speech within the law is secured for, students, staff, members of Council and visiting speakers and that academic freedom is secured for relevant staff and job applicants.
The University’s starting point is that lawful speech will be permitted. Free speech includes lawful speech that may be offensive and/or hurtful to some.
Unlawful speech is not protected and is not covered under the provisions of the Code. Examples of unlawful speech include, but are not limited to: Unlawful discrimination and harassment, Criminal offences (including but not limited to: Hate Crimes, Support of, or inviting or encouraging support of a Proscribed Organisation, Public Order Offences), Defamation.
The University will consider and have particular regard to its obligations related to Freedom of Speech, when applying its Harassment and Bullying Policy. It should be noted that the exposure of students to course materials, and statements made and views expressed by a person as part of teaching, research or discussions about any subject matter that is connected with the content of a higher education course, are unlikely to constitute ‘harassment’, unless otherwise demonstrated that these matters do in fact amount to harassment.
Further information on the University’s approach to freedom of speech can be found in the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice.
• Staff and Student Relationships policy – aims to protect students from improper conduct by members of staff and as such sets out a very clear position with regard to relationships between staff and students. It also states what students and staff should do if they are aware of a relationship between a member of staff and a student.
• Harassment and Bullying Policy - sets out what the University means by harassment and bullying. It also articulates the responsibilities of students, staff and line managers with regard to harassment and bullying and how concerns can be reported.
• Sexual Misconduct Policy (update coming soon) - sets out in some detail, what the University means by sexual Misconduct and the reporting routes and support available to students who experience Sexual Misconduct while studying at the University.
• Student Conduct Regulations – set out the university’s expectation that all members of the University’s student community treat each other with respect. The Regulations specifically identify harassment and unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature as misconduct.
• Student and staff disciplinary procedures – set out the full detail of the procedures involved in investigating and coming to decisions on disciplinary cases involving students and staff. They also outline the possible outcomes for the reported party and the appropriate routes and grounds for appeal.
• Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy – sets out the university’s approach to managing safeguarding concerns within the statutory. It defines what constitutes a safeguarding concern and outlines the responsibilities of a range of post holders at different levels within the University. It also outlines what to do if there is a safeguarding concern.
• Approach to the Prevent Duty – this statement sets out the University’s obligation under the Prevent legislation and outlines what students or staff should do if they have a concern.
• Freedom of Speech Code of Practice - This code defines what freedom of speech and academic freedom mean and sets out the University’s values relating to freedom of speech and how those values uphold and secure freedom of speech and academic freedom.