We believe that bullying and harassment are never okay. 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 environment.
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 here.
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 here.
Bullying and harassment are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the University Dignity at Work and Study Policy.
Think
- Are you in immediate danger? If you 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 you feel safe. If this isn't possible and you are scared or fearful you can call security at your campus.
Talk
- To a friend. Talking things through with someone you trust can sometimes help.
- University support services: If you are a student you can talk to your Personal Tutor, or a Wellbeing Advisor. This University service offers support and advice on issues affecting your student life, with signposting and referral to more specialist services. If you're not sure where to go, this is a good place to start. It is a free confidential, impartial service where students can get advice and information on academic and personal issues, including advice on procedures and representation at hearings.
- Student Minds can help whether you are looking for support for your own mental health at university, support for a friend or loved one, or for services that might be available to you as a student.
- ULaw staff and students can 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.
Report
- Report and Support: Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
- University Policies and Procedures If you choose to make a formal complaint to the University about a student or member of staff there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.
Get Support
1 in 4 people are 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 on the support available for mental health and wellbeing.
- The University of Law Students' Union.
- Student Information: Your campus Student Information Team will be able book a registered taxi to ensure that students can get home safely – i.e if a student does not have any cash, they can pay the fare the next day.
- Take care of yourself. It’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, talking about it is one way to help either through University Support Services or Employee Assistance for Staff.