If you have been subjected to sexual misconduct/ violence 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 sexual violence/ misconduct, you can support them by sharing the information below and supporting their decisions about what to do next.
There is support available through the University of Law and in the community. You may also be able to formally report what happened to the University and/or to the police. More information on these support and reporting options can be found below.
Safety
Immediate support: if you are in danger or require the police or an ambulance, call 999.
Support – if you are looking for…
Support at the University of Law: ULaw has a team of trained Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advisors (SMLAs) who can help you understand and access your options for support and reporting sexual misconduct and any other unacceptable behaviours. Your SMLA can help you access all of the options below. You can access support from an SMLA by sharing some information here.
Who offers specialist sexual violence/misconduct support at the University of Law?
Support is provided by Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advisors (SMLA) who have received accredited training to develop knowledge and specialist skills to identify risk and support the needs of students and staff who have been subjected to sexual violence/misconduct. SMLAs are not investigators but can support students alongside university disciplinary procedures.
The SMLA service is confidential, meaning: you do not have to provide full disclosure of the incident to receive support and SMLAs’ 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 minor or vulnerable adult); or when the police or courts order notes to be provided in criminal investigations.
You can access University's Privacy Policy for further information and guidance.
Forensic examinations and sexual health support: Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) can offer confidential medical and practical support to people who have recently been raped or sexually assaulted. SARCs are usually provided by the NHS. Find your nearest SARC here.
Counselling and therapy support: Specialist sexual violence counselling is provided free of charge, mainly through Rape Crisis centres (applicable to sexual violence behaviours other than rape). General counselling or therapy may be offered through your GP (General Practitioner/ NHS doctor).
Support from a helpline: There is a 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line – call free on 0808 500 2222 or go to the website to start a free online chat. SurvivorsUK also provide a national online helpline, individual and group counselling for boys, men and non-binary people aged 13+.
Longer-term support for reporting to the police: Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) are trained to look after the needs of a survivor of rape or sexual violence to ensure they receive the best possible care and understanding. ISVAs work in Rape Crisis and The Survivors Trust organisations.
Specific LGBTQ+ support: Galop is an LGBT+ anti-violence charity who support people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
Reporting
If you would like to report to the police, Rape Crisis England and Wales has more information here and the police have more information 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 Student Sexual Misconduct Policy outlines the university’s approach to these behaviours specifically, and 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 Sexual Misconduct Liaison Advisor (SMLA).
For more information about the University of Law’s approach to sexual misconduct and harassment, please see here.