What to do about bullying or harassment

If you think you are being or have been harassed, bullied or intimidated by a
student or a member of staff, do not feel you have to tolerate it, but consider
taking the following action (not necessarily in the order set out below):

Don't ignore it

If you feel that you are being subjected to harassment, bullying or intimidation, do not feel that it is your fault or that you have to tolerate it.

Many people are tempted to ignore harassment for fear of being labelled a troublemaker, but it is unlikely that the harasser will stop if you ignore it. The harasser is often doing this to try to exert control, so silence will be interpreted as weakness and consent.

Get support

• Talk informally about the problem with any of the following:
• A Harassment Advisor – The University has trained a number of staff – both female and male – as Harassment Advisors. These staff are available on a totally confidential basis to advise you. Please feel encouraged to approach any one of them for support
• An appropriate person in your department, such as your Course Representative, Personal Tutor (you can find out the name of your personal tutor by looking under the 'my course' tab on your student portal page), Course Leader, or your Head of Department
• A Students' Union representative, for example a Sabbatical Officer
• A friend
• The Community Mediator

Do not hesitate to contact someone even when an incident occurs only once. They may be able to suggest ways of resolving the problem. Any such discussion will be confidential and no further action will be taken without your permission. If further action is taken, the person to whom you have talked will normally continue to support you throughout. If this informal discussion does not help to resolve the issue, you and the person who is supporting you should consult the Academic Registrar (if s/he is not already involved) for guidance on the next step. This may be to formalise matters, which would only be done with your permission.

Ask the harasser to stop

Tell the harasser that you find their behaviour offensive and ask the person to stop. If you wish, take a Harassment Adviser, a Students' Union representative or a friend with you.

You should be specific in informing the person or the Harassment Adviser of the problem. It is important that you accompany your representative even if you don't say anything. This will prevent the harasser claiming that you did not complain personally, leading them to believe that you did not object to their behaviour.

Collect evidence of the harassment

It is important to keep a note of all relevant incidents including dates, times and places. This will be invaluable in proving your case if you decide to make a formal complaint. Wherever possible, get witnesses to provide factual evidence. If there are no witnesses to an incident, tell a Harassment Adviser, Students' Union representative or friend and make a note of it.

Make a formal complaint

If you or your representative cannot resolve the problem by asking the harasser to stop, you or your representative should make a formal written complaint to the University Secretary. If the matter is formalised, a full investigation will be made.

Disciplinary action may be appropriate, with a view to addressing the behaviour of the harasser. Such action may, however, result in the dismissal/expulsion of the harasser.

If the harassment is substantial but a lesser penalty than dismissal/expulsion is given, the implications of the continued working relationship of those involved will be given due consideration by the Academic Registrar in conjunction with the Director of Personnel Services.

General information for students

As far as is practicable the University will ensure that no-one who establishes that they have been harassed, bullied or intimidated will, as a result, be disadvantaged in their course progression. If you are being harassed, bullied or intimidated, the University will support you and safeguard your interests.

Please approach the appropriate person for help and guidance rather than leaving your course or the University.

More information and help

• University of Portsmouth student complaint and appeal forms:
• Printable version
•  Online version (guidance notes are included in this document)
  
• The University's Academic Registrar oversees the progression of complaints. You can visit their website here, or e-mail them at complaintsadvice@port.ac.uk 

Next...

• The University's commitment against bullying