Student guide to harassment and sexual misconduct

If a student wants to report an incident of harassment and sexual misconduct, they should do so first by raising it with their university or college. 

Universities and colleges must provide a process for reporting an incident of harassment and sexual misconduct. They must publish information about this in their single comprehensive source of information.

They can develop this according to their circumstances, but the process could be:

• explained publicly and prominently
• include in-person and online ways of reporting
• allow students to raise incidents anonymously
• make sure any information is handled sensitively and fairly.

Universities and colleges may also explain how they will investigate incidents, reach decisions and allow for appeals.

They should also inform anyone directly affected by the decision they reach.

Make a complaint 

If you think your university or college has failed to take your report seriously, treat you fairly, or provide the support you are entitled to, you should first go through your university or college's own complaints process. 

If this doesn't resolve the issue, you can raise the matter with The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).