Any form of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment is never okay. 

Such forms of unacceptable behaviour are contrary to  the Equality Act 2010 and the College Dignity at Work, Student Charter and Student Code of Conduct 

Sexual Misconduct 
Sexual misconduct is a form of harassment and is unacceptable behaviour of a sexual nature. It can include: sexual harassment; sexual violence; intimate partner violence; sexual assault; grooming; coercion or bullying with sexual elements; sexual invitations and demands; comments; non-verbal communication; creation of atmospheres of discomfort; and promised resources or advancement in exchange for sexual access.

The term ‘sexual harassment’ captures only some of the possible abuses of power that may occur. Sexual misconduct more specifically raises issues of unequal relationships, consent, and the prevention of equal access to education, opportunities and career progression. 
 
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is a criminal offence and contrary to the university policies and procedures.  A person commits sexual assault if they intentionally touch another person, the touching is sexual and the person does not consent. 
 
It involves all unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature and ranges from pinching, embracing, groping and kissing, to rape and sexual assault which involves penetration without consent. 
 
Consent is agreeing by choice and having the freedom and capacity to make that choice. 
A person is free to make a choice if nothing bad would happen to them if they said no. 
Capacity is about whether someone is physically and/or mentally able to make a choice and to understand the consequences of that choice. 
 
 
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is unwanted and unwelcome words, conduct, or behaviour of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, embarrassing, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the recipient. It is a misuse of personal or institutional power and often based on a person’s gender although it is rarely about sexual desire. 

For the purpose of this policy whether or not the harasser intended to be offensive is irrelevant. The limit of acceptable behaviour as described by this policy is up to the recipient to decide. A single incident or persistent behaviour can amount to harassment. 

Sexual harassment can range from behaviour that stems from obvious to anyone or subtler behaviour less obvious to either the person responsible for the behaviour or to the recipient. Often the impact is not felt or witnessed immediately. The impact may go beyond the recipient to people who see or hear what happens or who try to offer support.

Sexual harassment can include but is not limited to: catcalling, following, making unnecessary and unwanted physical contact, sexual jokes and comments, giving unwelcome personal gifts, wolf-whistling, leering, derogatory comments, unwelcome comments about a person’s body or clothing, unwelcome questions about a person’s sex life and/or sexuality, engaging in unwelcome sexual propositions, invitations and flirtation, making somebody feel uncomfortable through displaying or sharing sexual material. Sexual harassment does not necessarily occur face to face and can be in the form of emails, visual images (such as sexually explicit pictures on walls in a shared environment), social media, telephone, text messages and image based sexual abuse, such as revenge porn and upskirting. 

 If you think someone has been the target of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. What happened was not their fault. What they do next is their choice. 

What can you do?


Think 

  •  Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile). 
     
  • Find a safe space.  If an incident has just happened try and find somewhere they feel safe. If this isn't possible and they are scared or fearful they can go directly to the Student Advice centre on your campus.

    Support:

  • Staff and students can go to the Student Info & Welfare Centre on campus. 

  • Students can then speak with Student Advisors or Safeguarding Officer and staff can contact their HR Advisor. 


Talk
 
  • To your friend or colleague. Talking things through with someone they trust can sometimes help. 

  • Staff and students can go to the Student Info & Welfare Centre on campus. 

  • Students can then speak with Student Advisors or Safeguarding Officer and staff can contact their HR Advisor 

Report

  • Report and Support Students and staff can report an incident using the College’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.  

  • College Complaints Process & Procedure If you choose to make a formal complaint to the College about a student or member of staff there is a process and procedures that set out the steps you will need to follow. 

 
  • To report the crime of sexual assault please contact the police 
  • Information from Police Scotland about reporting sexual crimes is available here
 

Get Support 
 
If you think you or someone you know has been sexually harassed or assaulted there is a variety of support options available to both students and staff. 

For students 

·         Student Counselling Service: The College’s team of professional counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health workers offers confidential support. 

·         Access support through our Time to Talk Helpline  0141 272 3786 from 1pm – 3pm, Monday to Friday. The helpline is staffed by trained counsellors. 

·         Equality, Diversity and Inclusion- Our Equality & Diversity Lead provides advice, support and guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion related issues to students and staff. Contact Caroline at report&support@glasgowclyde.ac.uk

·         Student Information & Welfare - This College service offers support and advice on issues affecting your student life, with signposting and referral to more specialist services. If you're not sure where to go, this is a good place to start. 

The Student Info & Welfare Centres on each campus are Police Scotland Third party hate crime reporting centres Hate crime - Police Scotland 
·         Student Advisors can talk through the College's procedures, how to make a complaint and what support is available, in confidence. 

For staff 

  • Human Resources- If you are a member of staff or manager your HR advisor will be able to identify the support that’s available for you. 

  • Staff Employee Assistance Programme 

  • Access support through our Time to Talk Helpline  0141 272 3786 from 1pm – 3pm, Monday to Friday. Trained counsellors staff the helpline.

  •   Equality, Diversity and Inclusion- Our Equality & Diversity Lead provides advice, support and guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion related issues to students and staff. Contact Caroline at report&support@glasgowclyde.ac.uk 

  •  Student Information & Welfare Centres on each campus are Police Scotland Third party hate crime reporting centres Hate crime - Police Scotland 

 

Specialist support is available if you think you have been sexually harassed or assaulted.  

A list of organisations can be found below- 

 
AMINA - THE MUSLIM WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTRE - 08088 01 03 01 
Helpline open: Monday to Friday 10.00 am until 4.00 pm 
ARCHWAY GLASGOW - 0141 211 8175 
Accessible 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. 
GLASGOW EAST WOMEN'S AID - 0141 773 3533 
Monday and Friday - 9.30 am to 1.30 pm
 Tuesday to Thursday - 9.30 am to 3.30 pm 
GLASGOW WOMEN'S AID - 0141 553 2022 
Helpline 9.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday 
HEMAT GRYFFE WOMEN'S AID - 0141 353 0859 
Monday to Friday - 9.00 am to 5.00 pm 
GLASGOW & RAPE CRISIS CENTRE - 08088 00 00 14 
Helpline every day from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm and Monday to Thursday 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm 
THE TARA SERVICE - 0141 276 7724 
Support available 9.30 am to 4.30 pm 
BREATHING SPACE - 0800 8385 87 
Helpline open Monday to Thursday 6.00 pm until 2.00 am and 24 hours at weekends 
FGM HELPLINE - 0800 028 3550 
Helpline open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year 
FORCED MARRIAGE HELPLINE (Scotland) - 0800 027 1234 
Helpline open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 
FORCED MARRIAGE HELPLINE (UK) - 0800 5999 247 
Helpline open 9.00 am until 9.00 pm 365 days a year. 

Home - Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (sdafmh.org.uk)


Support for male victims (rapecrisisscotland.org.uk)

Victim Support Help and support for victims of crime

SAMH Scotland’s National Mental Health Charity 


Mental Health and Wellbeing

 
1 in 4 people is affected by a mental health problem in any year and it is estimated that around 1 in 5 people has contemplated suicide or self-harm. 

 For students
 
  • Take care of yourself. It’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, the Student Counselling Service offers confidential help and is open to all students.
  • GCCSA Mental Health Support for Students
  • Contact our Mental Health Coordinator, Kirsten at report&support@glasgowclyde.ac.uk

 
For staff
 
  • Contact your HR advisor
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access support through our Time to Talk Helpline  0141 272 3786 from 1pm – 3pm, Monday to Friday. Trained counsellors staff the helpline.
  • Togetherall The College partners with the Charlie Waller Trust (CWT) and students have access to Togetherall,  a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
 



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