New reporting system for inappropriate behaviour

A new online system has launched today (7 August) allowing staff, students and visitors to campus to report sexual harassment, bullying and other incidents to the University.

Report & Support enables anyone who has experienced inappropriate behaviour in our community to notify the University through a simple form so it can be recorded and investigated.

How it works

Victims and witnesses can report details of an incident on the website, which has an option for them to do so anonymously. Anonymous reports cannot be formally investigated by the University but will be logged to allow the University to monitor issues, identify trends and take proactive steps to address them.

Named reports allow a University advisor to make contact and discuss how the incident will be investigated. The advisor will offer support and present options of action that can be taken, which will be agreed with the person who made the report.

Reports are confidential and only passed on to relevant staff on a need-to-know basis.

An inclusive University

Systematically collecting data on incidents of harassment and discriminatory behaviour was one of the recommendations of the University’s Race Equality Review in 2021. The ability to report incidents anonymously was also raised by staff and students involved in this and the Disability and Neurodiversity Review in 2022. Report & Support has been successfully used to do this at other universities.

Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort said: “Reading is an inclusive University and we do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour towards anyone on our campuses and within our community.”

“The Report & Support platform makes it easier to notify us about incidents that require action. We encourage anyone who has experienced behaviour that made them feel uncomfortable or threatened to report it. It will be taken seriously and you will get the support you deserve.”

The Report & Support service will be promoted to students through a campaign at the start of the 2023/24 academic year, accompanied by further communications to staff.

Colleagues can refer any students, staff or visitors who experience an incident on campus to the service, in addition to other University student wellbeing support services.

The University’s established #NeverOK campaign will continue to run to reinforce our expectations around behaviour and remind staff and students of the Report and Support platform.

More information about how the Report and Support service works and how incidents are investigated can be found on the Report & Support website and in a set of FAQS.