Any form of assault is never okay. We condemn unacceptable behaviour, including all assault, harassment and hate crime.
Some forms of verbal or physical assault are considered a Hate Crime.
A hate incident or crime is any act of violence or hostility against a person or property that is motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person due to a particular protected characteristic. Find out more on hate crime.(insert link to Hate Crime Support article category)
All forms of assault and hate crime are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the College Dignity at Work, Student Charter and Student Code of Conduct
What is assault?
There are different types of assault, including verbal and physical assault which are outlined below. For information on sexual assault, please visit our sexual misconduct and assault pages.
Verbal assault
Verbal assault makes it an offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting language with the intention of causing someone else harassment, alarm or distress.
Physical assault
Is an assault is any act by which a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to suffer or apprehend immediate unlawful violence. The term assault is often used to include a battery, which is committed by the intentional or reckless application of unlawful force to another person.
There are different types of assault, including verbal and physical assault which are outlined below. For information on sexual assault, please visit our sexual misconduct and assault pages.
Verbal assault
Verbal assault makes it an offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting language with the intention of causing someone else harassment, alarm or distress.
Physical assault
Is an assault is any act by which a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to suffer or apprehend immediate unlawful violence. The term assault is often used to include a battery, which is committed by the intentional or reckless application of unlawful force to another person.
What is hate crime?
Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person’s disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; or religion or perceived religion; or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity.
Examples of hate crime include, but are not limited to:
- physical assault
- verbal abuse, threats or name calling
- incitement to hatred, when someone acts in a way that is threatening and intended to stir up hated. This could be in words, pictures, videos, music and includes information on websites.
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 you 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 a 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. They/you can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If they choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to them, in confidence.
- College Complaints Process & Procedure If they 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 they will need to follow.
- To report the crime of assault please contact the police
Get Support
If you think you or someone you know has been 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.
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
Other sources of support
- Citizens Advice provides some information on bullying and harassment
- Family Lives provides some information and advice on bullying at College
- The National Union of Students (NUS) has put together some top tips on how to deal with bullying.
- See Me See Me is Scotland's Programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.
- Young Minds has put together a blog on how to deal with bullying at College
- RespectMe Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service, includes support for online bullying
- LGBTYouth ScotlandScotland’s national charity for LGBTI young people has a number of groups covering a wide section of the LGBTI community. They provide a safe and comfortable environment for people who may feel isolated, are coming out or are new to the area.
- West of Scotland regional Equality Council (WSREC) represents the many needs of our diverse minority ethnic communities
- Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA)GDA is a thriving disabled people led organisation with 5000 members across Greater Glasgow
- ACAS Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice
- Police Scotland Hate Crime Reporting If you have been targeted because of your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity, or you are aware of someone else being targeted, you can report it here.
- Victim Support Help and support for victims of crime
- SAMH Scotland’s National Mental Health Charity
- If you would like to submit information on a support service you think might help others, please contact us with details by using the Talk To Us form in the top right hand corner.
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.