• Introduction
• Statement on Equal Opportunities
• Am I being harassed?
• What can I do?
• How can I deal with it?
• Making a formal complaint
• Other points to note
  

Introduction

The University and the Students’ Union regard all forms of harassment as unacceptable and are prepared to take disciplinary action against offenders. Both the University and the Students’ Union are committed to creating a community that is free from harassment and discrimination. Sexual, racial and personal harassment can seriously worsen conditions for staff and students at the University and may also, in certain cases, be unlawful.

Statement on Equal Opportunities

The University of Warwick, recognising the value of sustaining and advancing a safe and welcoming learning environment, strives to treat both employees and students with respect and dignity, treat them fairly with regards to all assessments, choices and procedures, and to give them encouragement to reach their full potential. Therefore, the University strives to treat all its members on the basis of merit and ability alone and aims to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious or political beliefs, disability, marital status, family circumstances, sexual orientation, spent criminal convictions, age or any other specifically individual ground.

The University requires all members of its community to recognise their responsibilities under this policy and to act in accordance in all their dealings with any other member of the University, potential student or employee.

Am I being harassed?

Harassment is unwanted, unsolicited or unwelcome behaviour or language that is offensive or intimidating to the recipient. This includes conduct which makes the recipient feel threatened or humiliated as a result of his or her gender, skin colour, race, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability or other personal characteristic. Harassment generally occurs on more than one occasion but may be a single serious incident and may undermine the position of an individual or group.

Examples of harassment may include:

• embarrassing, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, jokes or innuendo
• unwelcome remarks about clothes or appearance
• unwanted physical contact
• demands for sexual favours
• electronic messages or electronic displays of sexually suggestive pictures and literature (including via e-mail)
• aggressive behaviour, physical or verbal
• persistently demeaning and downgrading through words and actions
• inappropriate and derogatory remarks in connection with performance

Incidents involving members of staff who make offers of advantage in return for sexual favours or who penalise students for reasons of racial or ethnic origin are regarded as particularly serious.

What can I do?

If the way you are being treated either by an individual or by a group makes you feel uncomfortable, unhappy or disempowered then you should talk it over with a view to changing things.

Being subjected to harassment can be a devastating experience. You may feel that what is happening is your fault and that you are powerless and alone. You aren’t. There are several places you can go for advice, support and encouragement. Talking to someone will make you feel less alone and more able to deal with your experience. You may wish to seek advice or help from any of the following:

• University Senior Tutor and Counselling Service, telephone 024 7652 3671 or extension 23761
• Advice and Welfare Services, telephone 024 7657 2824 or extension 72824
• Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer (Students’ Union sabbatical officer), telephone 024 7657 2778 or extension 72778
• Nightline (note though that Nightline is a listening service and will not offer advice), 9pm-9am, telephone 024 7641 7688 or extension 22199
• Chaplaincy, telephone 024 7652 3519 or extension 23519

These agencies will provide non-judgemental advice and information on the options available to you. They can also provide advice on external organizations which offer help and support. It is usually a good idea to talk things over with someone before invoking formal procedures. If you do decide that you wish to pursue a formal complaint then they may also be able to assist you with this.

How can I deal with it?

If you feel that you are being subjected to harassment in any form by staff or other students, do not feel that it is your fault or that you should have to tolerate it. You should not feel reluctant to complain and in fact you are encouraged to do so.

If at all possible you should make it clear to the person causing the offence that such behaviour is unacceptable to you. You may either approach the person directly, or through a trusted friend. This may in some instances be sufficient to resolve the problem.

If the behaviour persists following this approach, or if such an approach is not possible, begin to take a note of the details of any relevant incidents which distress you, including a note of the ways in which the incidents cause you to change the pattern of your academic or social life. If you were unable to approach the person concerned, it does not constitute consent to the harassment nor will it prejudice any formal complaint you may bring. However, you should seek guidance from one of the Campus support agencies listed above.

It is important that you recognise that many people will feel that they have a duty to pass on any serious incident you report to the University authorities, who in turn may have to report serious incidents such as assault or rape to the Police. In some cases, decisions may be taken out of your hands. Don’t let this put you off taking action to stop harassment.

Making a formal complaint

If the problem has not been resolved by the means described above then you may decide to make a formal complaint by reporting the matter to an appropriate person. Appropriate people to whom incidents of harassment may be formally reported include: Wardens and other Residential Staff, your Personal Tutor, the Senior Tutor, the Chair of your Department, senior members of the Registrar’s staff and University Security personnel. If the incident (or incidents) takes place in the Students’ Union you can report it to any member of Union staff, stewards or a sabbatical officer.

This report is then forwarded to the Registrar who will arrange for an investigation to be carried out. The Registrar will then arrange for any appropriate action to be taken including, if necessary, the initiation of action under the relevant Disciplinary Procedure.

If disciplinary action is taken on the basis of your complaint then the person complained against will have to be given details of your complaint in order that he or she may have the opportunity to offer a defence. After the investigation is completed, any consequential action having been taken and the relevant University procedures having been exhausted, the Registrar will send you a formal response to your complaint.

Other points to note

• Violent physical crimes and crimes of a sexual nature are abhorred by the University and victims are strongly encouraged to report such matters for dealing with by the Police. You should also immediately report any such incident to someone in authority in the University, e.g. your Personal Tutor, Chair of Department or the Registrar.
• Every effort will be made to deal with complaints with minimum time delay.
• Anyone who reasonably believes that they are the subject of sexual, racial or personal harassment will not suffer victimisation for having brought the complaint.
• The University will respect the particular sensitivity of harassment complaints and their consequences as well as the need for the confidentiality of records concerning allegations or complaints of harassment.
• Any complainant found to be making malicious complaints will be subject to disciplinary action.

2nd edition prepared by the Director of Student and Ancillary Services, July 2003

Senior Tutor & Counselling Service

Student Union Advice & Welfare

University Chaplaincy