Harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual misconduct

What support is available?

If you report (via Report + Support) an incident of harassment, bullying, discrimination or sexual misconduct or any other inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour, then you will be contacted by either a student or staff facing support team. 

This support is also available if you have been accused of unacceptable behaviour. You are able to contact the following support services directly, regardless of whether you are a person reporting unacceptable behaviour or a person being accused of it.

Students

You can speak to a member of the Student Life Team, our Counselling and Mental Health Service, Disability Services or Chaplaincy Services either by visiting the MyBradford desk in Student Central or by referring yourself online through the MyBradford Portal.

You may also book a meeting with a UBU advisor who can provide advice and guidance independent to the University.

Staff

Find more information on Sources of Support on Report + Support.

Specific support for sexual violence

The university has specific staff who are trained as Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SLVOs). They can offer one to one support for people affected by harassment or sexual misconduct (including supporting you to liaise with specialist support externally).

If this support is identified as suitable following a raised report, then you will be offered a meeting with these staff. If you would like to discuss this then please complete a Request for Support.

Please note that it is entirely up to you whether you wish to take up any support offered by the SLVOs. There is no course of action that they can or will push you towards.

What conduct is expected of me at university?

Students are expected to be aware of and to abide by the standards of conduct required by the University and our community as set out in our Ordinance 16 Conduct of Student Members of the University.

We expect high standards of behaviour from everyone in our university community. All students and employees are expected to treat others with respect, act with integrity, and contribute to a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. This means avoiding any behaviour that is disruptive, harmful, or inappropriate behaviour in academic, professional, and social settings, and always upholding the dignity and rights of others.

The University provides mandatory training on harassment and sexual misconduct for all staff and students who are required to undertake this training. This is to ensure that members of the University understand what is expected of them and the processes in place to deal with allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.  Failure to complete the training may constitute a disciplinary matter. Further specialist training will be provided to staff and other persons responsible for dealing with and investigating reports of harassment and sexual misconduct.

The University also has clear rules that set out the University’s expectations in terms of personal relationships between a student and an employee and any personal relationship must be disclosed. Read our Code of Professional Conduct for Personal Relationships.

How can I report an incident?

If you have experienced or witnessed harassment, bullying, discrimination or sexual misconduct, or any other form of unacceptable behaviour, you can report it confidentially through the University’s Report + Support platform. You can choose to report anonymously or provide your contact details if you would like someone to follow up with you.

If you are unsure about making a report or want to talk things through first, support is available. The University offers a range of specialised services where you can get advice before deciding what to do next. This includes the Student Life Team, the Counselling and Mental Health Service, and the Disability Service.

Students can contact the Students’ Union Advice Service for independent guidance. They can be reached at ubu-advice@bradford.ac.uk or through UBU - Get Academic Help. Staff can speak to a Trade Union representative.

What happens if I make a report about another student?

When a report relates to a student engaging in unacceptable behaviour, this will be raised to the reported student’s Head of School for consideration under the Student Disciplinary Procedure (or, in certain cases where a reported student is on a programme regulated by a statutory body, under the Student Fitness to Practise Procedure).

The Head of School will consider the matter and determine the appropriate action in line with the Procedure. For more serious or complex matters, this may involve an investigation, or in other cases may be able to be resolved following a meeting between the reported student and their Head of School, Programme Lead, or another appropriate member of the school.

Both the reported student and the reporting party will be directed toward appropriate sources of support, and following the resolution of the case, the reporting party will receive a summary of the outcome.

What happens if I make a report about an employee?

If you make a report because you experience or witness inappropriate behaviour by a university employee, this will be managed under the Student Complaints Procedure. This includes concerns such as harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual misconduct.

If your report progresses to a formal investigation, you will be invited to meet with an investigator to provide your account. The staff member you are reporting will not be present at this meeting. In the most serious cases, the matter may be referred to the University’s Staff Disciplinary Policy, which could lead to a formal disciplinary hearing.

No matter which process is followed, we will keep you informed throughout, and you will receive an outcome letter once the investigation is complete.

For more information please see our student guide on making a formal complaint of inappropriate behaviour by employees.

Can I report anonymously?

Yes, you can report anonymously through the Report + Support Platform. If you choose to remain anonymous, we will not ask you for any personal identifiable details. However, this also means that we will not be able to contact you and offer you any advice or support. You can still access sources of support through the information pages on the site.  

If you wish for your report to be investigated further, or for it to begin any kind of formal process, please use the Report with Contact Details form.

Who can I speak to about an incident that I have witnessed?

If you witness inappropriate behaviour, you should speak to your personal academic tutor (PAT) as soon as possible. They will listen to your concerns and help you explore your options. They can work with you to find ways of managing or improving your situation. Find out how to get the most out of your Personal Academic Tutor.

If I make a formal report, who can support me?

Whether your report is in relation to another student or an employee, support, assistance and advice on all aspects of the procedure, including the preparation and submission of your report, is available to students from the Students’ Union Advice Service, you can email them at ubu-advice@bradford.ac.uk or telephone +44 1274 233300.  

Disabled students, including students with mental health issues, who, for impairment reasons, might experience difficulty in accessing any aspect of these procedures, may seek assistance from the Disability Service via the Request for Support.

If a report has been made about me.

The University of Bradford treats all reports fairly and without bias. We fully investigate all reports before deciding on an outcome based on the evidence and on the balance of probabilities, regarding whether misconduct has occurred.

An allegation of misconduct can be an upsetting experience, but support is available to you.  This support offer is regardless of whether the allegation is made to you informally or you have been officially notified by either the University or the police.

Initial steps

• Try to remain calm. It is important to react appropriately, regardless of the nature of the allegation, and allow the university investigation process to take its course.
• Seek trusted support. Share what you are experiencing with someone you trust. This isn’t always easy but it's important not to isolate yourself to this situation. Consider speaking with a trusted friend, family member, or a member of staff you trust within the University.
• Cooperate with any investigation. When allegations against you are being investigated under a formal procedure, you will be expected to answer the allegations made and provide any supporting evidence to establish the facts. Investigations are part of a fair process in order to make sure everyone has had a fair chance to be heard (including yourself).

Support for students accused of misconduct

Student Life Service

For students this is your first point of contact for pastoral welfare support, this team can discuss the support you need and support you in accessing external support. You can refer yourself to the team for support via the Request for Support platform.

Counselling and Mental Health services

These teams provide support for students experiencing challenges with their mental wellbeing.  You can refer yourself to them via the Request for Support platform and find out more on our Urgent help page.

University of Bradford Union (UBU)

The Students Union can offer you advice and guidance independent of the university.  Find out more and book an meet with a UBU advisor.

Support for Staff who are accused of misconduct

• Seek internal support: Seek support through your Line Manager, HR Partner/Advisor or the campus trade unions.
• Cooperation in investigations: When allegations against you are being investigated under a formal procedure, you are expected to answer the allegations or complaints made and provide   any supporting evidence to establish the facts.
• Decisions: Once the facts have been established, a decision will be made on whether the case should be progressed to a formal disciplinary hearing.
• Right to be accompanied: You have the right to be accompanied at any formal meeting under the procedure by a trade union representative or work colleague.