When reporting an incident, it would aid the investigation process if the student making the report were able to provide instances of when the sexual harassment occurred; including details such as:

• Nature of the sexual harassment
• By whom
• When [date(s) and time(s)]
• Where
• Witnesses
• Any action that has been taken to attempt to stop the harassment from occurring
• Any other relevant information.

How to report if you are a UCS student

Students may report harassment or misconduct through the ‘No Excuse’ online form.

Anonymous reporting is allowed but may limit the capacity for a thorough response. If a student wishes to make a report anonymously, they can do so by using the ‘No Excuse’ online anonymous form.

How to report if you are a UCS staff member

UCS encourage staff who witness sexual harassment or victimisation to take appropriate steps to address it. Depending on the circumstances, this could include:

• intervening where staff feel able to do so
• supporting the victim to report it or reporting it on their behalf
• reporting the incident where you feel there may be a continuing risk if you do not report it
• co-operating in any investigation into an incident.

UCS staff can also report the matter anonymously using the College’s dedicated confidential reporting email address – inconfidence@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk – or they can speak to their immediate/line manager and/or the People Management team for advice.

If a member of staff believes they have been sexually harassed, they have a number of options to address the behaviour.

Informal process

If staff feel confident doing so, they are encouraged to speak to the person who has harassed them, explain their behaviour is unwanted and ask them to stop. The person may not realise how their actions are impacting others, and an informal discussion can be enough to prevent repeat behaviour. Staff can speak with their immediate/line manager or the People Management team if they would like advice about how to approach the conversation.

If the informal approach is unsuccessful or the complaint is deemed to be of a sufficiently serious nature, the matter should be reported formally as detailed below.

Formal process

UCS staff are able to either;

• Report the matter using the College’s dedicated confidential reporting email address: inconfidence@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk, or
• Make a complaint under the College’s Grievance Policy.

If staff are unsure whether an incident or series of incidents amounts to sexual harassment and/or are unsure how to report the issue, staff are encouraged to speak to with their immediate/line manager or the People Management team for advice.

If concerns relate to a staff member’s immediate/line manager, staff are encouraged to contact the People Management team or another senior leader for advice.

In circumstances where it is too difficult or embarrassing for an individual to do this on their own behalf, an alternative approach would be to seek support from, or for an initial approach to be made by, any of the following:

• Immediate/line manager
• People Management
• Trade union representative
• Counselling team.

If a UCS staff member believes they have witnessed an act of sexual harassment they should report this to their immediate/line manager or use UCS’s dedicated confidential reporting email address: inconfidence@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk.