We believe sexual harassment is never okay and has no place in the University community.
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.
Sexual Harassment can include but is not limited to:
- making promises in return for sexual favours
- catcalling, following, making unnecessary and unwanted physical contact
- sexual jokes and comments, giving unwelcome personal gifts
- wolf-whistling, leering, staring or suggestive looks which are unwanted or unwelcome once someone has made their disinterest clear
- derogatory comments, unwelcome comments about a person’s body or clothing.
- intrusive questioning about a person’s private sexual activity and sharing own sexual activity which is unwanted
- engaging in unwelcome sexual propositions, invitations and flirtation - including unwanted touching, hugging or kissing
- 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, receiving unsolicited sexual images, and upskirting.
Support
Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) - Offers one-to-one practical and emotional support and can provide information on internal and external reporting procedures and support services. Support is led by your needs and you will not be pressured into taking any particular course of action. Complete this form to contact the SVLO.
Find out more about support options both within and outside of the University for dealing with sexual harassment.