Reporting to the University Steps

Incident Occurs

A student is involved in an incident of misconduct as a victim. A student may follow two routes

a student may submit a concern via the report and support tool. They will then be offered to see a wellbeing adviser who will explain the process and signpost to Guild advice for the student to obtain guidance on formal procedures.

A student may submit a formal complaint using the University complaints procedure. They will need to fill in a complaints pro-forma explaining the incident and outcome they wish to receive. Guild advice can support a student through this process.

Guild advice will provide free and confidential advice on the routes that can be taken for students who have experienced sexual assault. They can also take students through the University complaints process every step of the way.

University Wellbeing Advisor will provide support for students’ welfare and mental wellbeing after a experiencing sexual misconduct.

Guild advice will provide free and confidential advice on the routes that can be taken for students who have experienced sexual assault. They can also take students through the University complaints process every step of the way.

University Wellbeing Advisor will provide support for students’ welfare and mental wellbeing after a experiencing sexual misconduct.

Where necessary, the University may carry out a risk assessment. The panel will “evaluate the specific circumstances presented, identify the risks and consider what action, if any, should be taken to remove or mitigate those risks” This may include moving the alleged perpetrator from their accommodation or changing the lectures they are in. Neither the reporting student, nor the reported student, usually need to attend this panel.

• An investigating officer is appointed
• The officer will look at the complaint made and decide on the next steps. For lower level offences , action may be taken under summary jurisdiction. Summary jurisdiction enables minor offences to be dealt with quickly and can result in a warning, reprimand and/or fine/charge may be imposed.
• If it hasn’t been resolved through summary jurisdiction, the accused student offered the chance to make a statement based on the allegation made.
• The investigating officer will conduct interviews with the accused student, the complainant and any witnesses. These interviews will be undertaken separately. All students involved in the process can bring a friend or a Guild adviser as support
• There may be sanctions put in place in which the accused and complainant are asked not to contact each other

After speaking to involved parties, the investigating officer will decide on next steps. This may be that there is no case to answer, that action is taken under summary jurisdiction or that formal disciplinary action needs to be taken.

If formal action is applicable, a Disciplinary board will review the case and decides if there has been a breach of the student code of conduct. From this, they will decide on the consequences for the accused student and what form they come in

Complainant is offered a chance to present as a witness for these hearings however this is not obligatory. All students involved in the process can bring a friend or a Guild adviser as support.

Complainant will be informed after the hearing, that a decision has been made and if the perpetrator will continue to be on campus

Continued support from Guild advice and University counselling services if the complainant wishes so

If the complainant is not satisfied by the outcome and has further evidence to back their complaint, they are entitled to appeal the decision by escalating to a stage 2 complaint