Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

We are committed to promoting a safe, supportive and inclusive campus environment for every member of our community. Incidents of sexual harassment or misconduct are taken very seriously.

On this page you will find details of how you can report an incident, including through our Report + Support website, and how you can receive support from our specialist teams.

Sexual harassment includes a wide range of behaviours that create an intimidating, hostile, embarrassing, humiliating, degrading or offensive environment for the recipient. Any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature can be verbal, psychological or physical.

Examples include:

• sexual comments or noises like catcalling and wolf-whistling
• sexual gestures and innuendos
• being sent unwanted messages like ‘sexts’ or sexual images including photographs
• unwanted physical contact, exposure or ‘flashing’
• revenge porn
• upskirting

Sexual violence is defined as any unwanted physical sexual activity. Sexual violence can include:

• rape
• assault by penetration
• sexual physical assault
• coercing someone to engage in sexual activity or forcing them to without consent.  

Sexual violence is a crime and can be reported to the Police. Speaking to the Police is your choice, you can still access support if this isn’t the option you want to take at the moment.

• This link explains how Greater Manchester Police can support you. Call 999 if it is an emergency or you are in danger. Otherwise, call 101 at any other time, visit your local police station or report the incident online. 
• Our Report + Support website allows you to report an incident online to the University, and you can choose to report anonymously if you wish. Our Student Welfare team monitor incident reports and will be in contact within one working day to discuss the incident and offer you support.
• You can also read our procedure for students on disclosing and reporting incidents of sexual violence, misconduct and harassment. 

If you choose to report an incident via Report + Support, you can choose two options:

• You have the option to report anonymously. If you do submit an anonymous report, we will not be able to contact you or take further action. However, it does mean that the University has a record of the incident, and we can use anonymous reports to identify trends or patterns of incidents which we may be able to address. 
• You can also choose to leave your contact details with your report and ask to speak with an adviser. If you choose this option, a fully trained sexual violence liaison officer (SVLO) will contact you and offer a safe space for you to be heard. SVLOs are specialist caseworkers trained to provide free, non-judgemental and confidential advice and support to any student who has been impacted by sexual harassment or violence. They can also refer you to specialist support services if you require further help.

Please note that speaking with an advisor does not mean that you are making a formal complaint to the University. The advisor will talk to you about how to make a complaint, and then you can decide what you’d like to do next. 

University support services

• Student Welfare team are trained SVLOs and will respond to your report and offer advice.
• Student Union Advice Centre also have trained advisors who can provide support.
• Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing Service are available if you need wellbeing support.

External sources of support

• St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre can conduct forensic medical examinations, sexual health screening, and emergency contraception.
• Greater Manchester Rape Crisis can support you via their helpline, independent sexual violence advisor service, and counselling.
• Survivors Manchester support male victims of sexual abuse through 1-2-1 support, group support, and online support.

Reporting an incident to our team doesn’t instigate the start of formal complaint. Our team will guide you through your options and support you if you decide to make a formal complaint to the University.

The Student Code of Conduct sets out the standard of conduct the University expects of its students so that everyone can undertake their studies in a supportive and non-threatening environment. Any behaviour that affects the safety or well-being of students or staff is regarded as misconduct. 

If you feel a student has breached the Student Code of Conduct, you can make a formal complaint via the Student Complaints Procedure.

We want to create a safe environment in which students and staff members feel respected and supported. We expect all new students to complete our Consent Matters online training, to learn about issues surrounding consent and healthy relationships.

We are a member of the Manchester Student Partnership, which incorporates Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Manchester, Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue and the Student Union. Together, we work on campaigns relating to personal safety and property security. There is also a specific Sexual Violence and Assaults Network which works on campaigns relating to these types of crimes, for example, reporting drink spiking and creating a Gender-Based Violence Strategy.

You can find out more about the work we are doing in this space by visiting our Report + Support campaigns page.