Harassment is never okay. We condemn unacceptable behaviour, including all forms of harassment. Bullying and harassment are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the College Dignity at Work, Student Charter and Student Code of Conduct
If you know someone who has been affected by harassment, you are not alone, support is available.
What is harassment?
Harassment is unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct which may (intentionally or unintentionally) violate a person’s dignity or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment, which interferes with an individual’s learning, working or social environment. It also includes treating someone less favourably because they have submitted or refused to submit to such behaviour in the past.
Unlawful harassment may involve sexual harassment or be related to a protected characteristic such as age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We believe harassment is unacceptable even if it does not fall within any of these categories.
Harassment may include, for example:
- unwanted physical conduct or ‘horseplay’, including touching, pinching, pushing, grabbing, brushing past someone, invading their personal space and more serious forms of physical or sexual assault
- offensive or intimidating comments or gestures, or insensitive jokes or pranks
- mocking, mimicking or belittling a person’s disability
- racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist jokes, or derogatory or stereotypical remarks about a particular ethnic or religious group or gender
- outing or threatening to out someone as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans
- ignoring or shunning someone, for example, by deliberately excluding them from a conversation or a social activity.
A person may be harassed even if they were not the intended "target". For example, a person may be harassed by racist jokes about a different ethnic group if they create an offensive environment.
Some forms of harassment 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
Some forms of harassment 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
What can you do?
Think
Think
· Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, they 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 their 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.
· What are bullying and harassment? It might be useful to think about what is meant by bullying and harassment and how these behaviours are described.
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 can choose to do this anonymously or they 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 they, 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.
Get Support
If they think they or someone they know has been bullied or harassed 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 their student life, with signposting and referral to more specialist services. If they'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 they are a member of staff or manager their HR advisor will be able to identify the support that’s available for they.
· 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 Scotland Scotland’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 they have been targeted because of their disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity, or they are aware of someone else being targeted, they can report it here.
· SAMH Scotland’s National Mental Health Charity
· If they would like to submit information on a support service they 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 them. It’s important that they take care of themselves. If they’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling them, the Student Counselling Service offers confidential help and is open to all students.
For staff
· Contact their 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.