If you have been subjected to bullying and/or harassment of any kind at any point in your life, what happened was not your fault and there is support available.
If you know someone who has been subjected to bullying and/or harassment, you can support them by sharing the information below and supporting their decisions about what to do next.
Safety
- Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile). You can call 101 to report non-emergency crime in the UK. For example, if there has been prolonged bullying or a threat which does not present immediate danger. Alternatively, you can contact your local police.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere they feel safe. If this isn't possible and they are scared or fearful you should call the emergency services on 999.
Support – if you are looking for…
Support at the University of Law: ULaw has a team of trained Safe Inclusive Campus advisors who can help you understand and access your options for support and reporting bullying and/or harassment and any other unacceptable behaviours. Your advisor can help you access all of the options below. You can access support from an advisor by sharing some information here.
Who offers bullying and/or harassment support at the University of Law?
Support is provided by Safe Inclusive Campus advisors, who have developed knowledge and specialist skills to identify risk and support the needs of students and staff who have been subject to bullying and/or harassment. Safe Inclusive Campus advisors are not investigators but can support students alongside university disciplinary procedures.
This service is confidential, meaning you do not need to provide full disclosure of the incident to receive support and Safe Inclusive Campus advisors notes are confidential and shared only on a need-to-know basis.
In rare circumstances, confidentiality may need to be broken if: there is a risk of harm to you or others; there is a safeguarding concern (e.g. involving a child or adult at risk); or when the police or courts order notes to be provided in criminal investigations.
For students, the University’s partnership with Spectrum Life offers confidential counselling support. Students can also access Togetherall. The service has an active forum with round-the-clock support from trained professionals. You can talk anonymously to other members and take part in group or 1-to-1 therapy with therapists. The University of Law Students' Union can also offer advice and guidance.
For staff, more information and access to support is available through the Benefits and Wellbeing Hub. Support is also available through People and Organisational Development.
External sources of support
- Citizens Advice provides some information on bullying and harassment
- Family Lives provides some information and advice on bullying at University
- The National Union of Students (NUS) has put together some top tips on how to deal with bullying.
- Young Minds has put together a blog on how to deal with bullying at University
- LGBT Foundation has a number of groups covering a wide section of the LGBT community. They provide a safe and comfortable environment for people who may feel isolated, are coming out or are new to the area.
Reporting
If you would like to report harassment to the police, they have more information here and an online reporting pathway here.
If you would like to report to the University of Law, this is something more than making a disclosure which you can do to a member of staff in order to access support. Reporting means sharing your information for the purpose of a disciplinary decision being made and punitive action being taken. The Dignity and Work and Study Policy outlines the university’s approach to all unacceptable behaviours. There are formal and informal reporting routes which can be taken, and more information and support through these procedures can be provided by a university Safe Inclusive Campus advisor.