It can be very distressing if you have been accused of bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct or domestic abuse. It’s important to be aware that the University will not make assumptions and will not consider a person ‘at fault’ until an accusation has been investigated. All those involved in a complaint will be treated fairly and offered advice and support.
If you are a student who has an accusation made about their behaviour, the Student Discipline Team will lead on any investigation that needs to take place. The process for any discipline related investigation can be found here.
If you are a staff member who has an accusation made against you, this will be considered by your line manager in the first instance, and investigated as required. Additionally, information relating to harassment and sexual misconduct can be found on the university NeverOK webpages.
It’s good practice to take time to reflect about the other person’s perception of your behaviour. Even if you feel that your behaviour was well-intentioned, your words or actions may have hurt or offended another person, and this may be thought of as an opportunity for learning, or perhaps for a change of approach.
- Listen carefully to the complaint and to the particular concerns expressed
- Stop the behaviour that’s been complained about straight away; if you are deemed to have bullied or harassed somebody after their objection to your behaviour was made known to you, this will be seen as a more serious issue
- You are likely to need advice and support to understand the complaint: find a way to discuss the matter with someone you trust, such as a manager or tutor, the Students’ Union, or someone identified by them or Student Support or Human Resources to provide appropriate support
- An informal facilitated discussion may be proposed as a way to discuss the issues and find a way forward.
What happens when something is reported?
When a report is made about a student or staff member, there are procedures that will be followed.
If informal resolution is pursued then the reported person will be contacted by an appropriate manager, or member of the Student Services staff authorised and trained, to hold such conversations with a student or staff member in the situation to try and resolve the matter.
If the matter proceeds formally, the reported behaviour of a student will be investigated under the Student Disciplinary Procedure, and the reported behaviour of a member of staff will be investigated under the appropriate staff procedure.