How we can help
- What is sexual assault or harassment?
- How to report an incident
- Find support on campus
- Find external support
What is sexual assault or harassment
Sexual abuse may take many forms. In addition to rape and sexual assault, it includes sexual harassment,Ìýi.e.Ìýany behaviour that is humiliating, intimidating or hostile, and may include actions like derogatory name-calling, belittling remarks, insults, threats, unwanted personal attention.
It can also include any form of sexual activity that takes place without the other person’s full and informed consent – involving physical contact, words, or photographs online or by text message. Ìý
Sexual abuse can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, class, or background.ÌýThe majority ofÌýrape and sexual assault are mostly carried out by someone known to theÌývictim;Ìýa spouse, partner, friend, colleague or family member. Sexual violence can also be committed by strangers. If you’ve been sexually assaulted you don’t have to report the assault to police if you don’t want to, however only the police can carry out a formal investigation into these types of matters.Ìý
How to report an incident
All students, staff and visitors to our campus can report an incident in any of the following ways:
- You can reportÌýan incidentÌýanonymously via our online form - your report will be sent confidentially to dedicated staff within ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥:
- ​If you find yourself inÌýan emergency situationÌýon campus, please callÌý01202 962222Ìýfrom a mobile orÌý222Ìýfrom an internal landline. For off campus emergencies call 999
- If you're deaf, hard of hearing or speech impairedÌýyou can use the emergency SMS/Text:Ìý80999Ìýor non-emergency SMS/Text:Ìý67101Ìýfor off campus incidents.ÌýPlease note:Ìýyou'll need toÌýÌýfirst to use this service
- Report to Dorset Police via the Ìýor by callingÌý101Ìýfrom any phone, including a mobile.Ìý
The university takes aÌýzero-toleranceÌýapproach to any form of abuse and willÌýtake actionÌýagainst any student or staff member who is deemed to have breached the Student Disciplinary ProceduresÌý(under Conduct and Welfare)Ìýor ourÌý.
Find support on campus
You can contact any ofÌýour teams below for further support:
- Contact theÌýAchieve@ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ team
- Jacquie O'Brien, Achieve@ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Officer: email [email protected] or call 01202 969696Ìý
- Health and wellbeing servicesÌý
- You can also speak to an AskÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ÌýAdviser in confidence
- Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service drop-in
TheÌýÌýserviceÌýrunÌýaÌýdrop-in at the Student Wellbeing office on the first Monday of the month, betweenÌý11am - 2pm, during term time. The service is completely confidential andÌýsupports anyone who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has been affected by some form of sexual trauma at anytime in their life, it does not have to be a recent incident and does not have to have occured in the county.
Find externalÌýsupport
If you want to go elsewhere for support you can always contact the below organisations:Ìý
-  –Ìýthis is the dedicated Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for Dorset, providing a comprehensive service to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted and can support you even if you do not wish to report an incident to the police.ÌýThey offer a safe and non-judgemental environment which focuses on the needs of you, the individual. All clients are treated with dignity and respect. The Shores are contactable 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.Ìý
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You can also find further support services on ourÌýwellbeing resources page.