Sexual or physical assault/abuse (including spiking)

Sexual or physical abuse can take a variety of forms and can apply to any and all gender identities.

If a student tells you that they have been sexually or physically assaulted/abused you can help by taking some simple steps:

• Listening to them if they want to tell you about it.
• Listening without judgement. Try not to delve for detail or ask clarifying questions as these can imply judgement even if that is not what you meant.
• Accepting what they tell you. It is not your role to determine facts or take the other person’s perspective.
• Reassuring them that it was not their fault. No one deserves to be assaulted regardless of the situation.
• Encouraging them to seek professional help either from the Welfare Team or external agencies such as Rape Crisis, Trust House or Survivors - men overcoming sexual violence. 
• If they don’t want to get professional support, help them to identify a friends/family support network that they can lean on.
• Asking them whether they wish to report the incident to the University. Encourage them to read the guidance on our #NeverOK website. If they want to formally report it to the University we will carry out an investigation if the allegation is made against a student or member of staff.
• Asking them whether they wish to report the incident to the police. If they do, the Student Welfare Team will support them to do this if they wish.
• Follow up a few days later to see if they did reach out for any further help and to let them know that you hope they are OK.

You can take a short online course in how to respond to disclosures. This course is specifically designed for staff working in Universities.