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. Power does not always mean being in a position of authority, but can include both personal strength and the power to coerce through fear or intimidation. Bullying can take the form of physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct.
Harassment Under the Equality Act 2010, harassment is -
Unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
The relevant protected characteristics are:
· Age
· Disability
· Gender reassignment
· Race
· Religion or belief
· Sex
· Sexual orientation
Importantly, harassment under the Equality Act can occur as a single incident—it does not need to be repeated behaviour. Harassment does not have to be intentional. The perception of the person subject to the conduct will be taken into account, along with other circumstances of the case and whether it is reasonable for the conduct to have had that effect on the individual.
Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, harassment is defined as a course of conduct (i.e. behaviour occurring on at least two occasions) that causes alarm or distress to another person. This can involve repeated behaviour towards one individual, or separate acts directed at multiple individuals. A person commits an offence if they know—or a reasonable person would conclude—that their behaviour amounts to harassment.
The University extends these definitions to include harassment by one student towards another.
Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone).
The University’s Campus Safety Team can also be contacted on 01782 733999 (internal 33999).
Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
Read more - and seek further support - on the Keele University website