Harassment and sexual misconduct
St Mary’s is committed to creating an inclusive, safe, supportive environment, for all of our students, staff, and visitors, that is free from victimisation, bullying and harassment.
Our values of Inclusiveness, Generosity of Spirit, Respect and Excellence underpin all we do as a University and set the expectation that all students, staff and visitors are treated with dignity and respect. St Mary’s takes a zero tolerance approach to behaviour of this kind and takes all reports of this nature seriously.
If you are involved in, have witnessed, or have been told about an incident of harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct, it is important to be informed of reporting options, what resources and support are available to you, which are detailed on this page.
If you are a member of staff looking for information on how to support a student, please visit:
Harassment
Harassment means any unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating your dignity; or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. Further information can be found in the University’s Dignity at Work Statement.
Although harassment often relates to a protected characteristic, it is apparent that a more general form of harassment may take place that is not based on any one clearly identifiable characteristic of the person concerned. This form of harassment may be described as bullying or aggressive/intimidating behaviour by one person towards another.
Sexual misconduct
Sexual misconduct relates to a range of inappropriate, unwelcome, unwanted or attempted unwanted behaviours of a sexual nature. These behaviours are committed without consent, by force, intimidation or coercion. This covers all types of sexual violence, including but not limited to: sexual assault, penetration without consent, sexual abuse (including online and image-based abuse), non-consensual sexual touching, sexual harassment, stalking, and degrading or abusive comments of a sexual nature. Further information can be found in the University’s Sexual Harassment Policy.
Victimisation
Victimisation is subjecting someone to detriment because they have done, are suspected of doing, or intend to do, an act which is protected under discrimination and harassment laws. It is not necessary for the person to have done the protected act for detrimental treatment to be considered victimisation.
The ‘protected act’ means taking action related to discrimination law, this includes:
- Making a claim or complaint of discrimination or harassment;
- Supporting some else’s claim or complaint;
- Gathering information that might lead to a complaint;
- Acting as a witness in a complaint;
- Saying something or giving evidence that does not support someone else’s complaint.
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