Definitions

Under the Office for Students E6 regulation, it’s important that we all take responsibility for knowing what type of behaviours are defined as incidents of harassment or sexual misconduct so that we can recognise conduct that is unacceptable and harmful, whether that be our own conduct or other people’s.

Having a clear understanding will mean that whether we are bystanders or have directly experienced an incident, we all know what our rights and responsibilities are, we all know how to report incidents and we all know how to access support following an incident.

Being as clear as possible about what these behaviours look like, makes it easier to prevent them, support those affected and take appropriate action so that we are creating a respectful, fair, and safe place to study and work.

Sexual harassment and violence (sometimes referred to as sexual misconduct) is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, including behaviour which has the purpose or effect of violating the recipient’s dignity and/or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Sexual harassment and sexual violence can have a traumatising and damaging effect on those who experience it.

Sexual Harassment and violence is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, including behaviour which has the purpose or effect of violating the recipient’s dignity and/or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment and violence can take many forms and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Rape (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003)
  • Sexual assault, including by penetration or groping (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003)
  • Unwanted sexual advances, propositions and/or demands for sexual favours
  • Sexual harassment (as defined by Section 26 (2) of the Equality Act 2010). This includes, but is not limited to, the following; catcalling and wolf-whistling, leering and suggestive gestures and remarks (including online), making sexualized comments (including jokes), asking intrusive personal questions, upskirting, and displaying or sharing sexual material without consent.
  • Posting pornographic material in shared spaces (physical and/or virtual)
  • Sending sexually explicit e-mails, texts or other communications
  • Stalking in person or online
  • Catfishing, or employing deception in order to induce someone into sexual activity
  • Sexual coercion (i.e. unwanted sexual activity which happened as a result of being pressured or coerced through non-physical means).

Stalking is unwanted, intrusive behaviour and can take many forms including unwanted gifts, following, photographing, letter writing or digital stalking, such as unwanted comments on social media.

Abuse of power, as defined by Loughborough University, is the unacceptable use of a position of power or authority. This can involve actions like manipulation, coercion, or pressurizing others to act against their will. It often involves someone in a position of authority using their influence to unfairly benefit themselves or harm others.

There is a variety of support here within the university for both staff and students.  We have a dedicated team of advisers who work alongside students to help with advice and support and they will tailor the ongoing support around an holistic assessment of your needs.

Staff are supported by the university HR team. We also provide and Employer Assistance package as a staff benefit and our Occupational Health team are dedicated to providing work based assessments based on your current circumstances. 

Both harassment and bullying refer to behaviours which, deliberately or otherwise, are hostile and/or offensive to the recipient or others and which unreasonably interfere with an individual’s work, academic performance or social life.

A full definition of this can be found on the HR website.

Personal relationships at work

Regularly reviewed to ensure capacity meets workstream demands; inlcuding but not limited to appropriate number of trained investigators, support staff for students etc.

A comprehensive source of information, as defined by the Office for Students (OfS), is a single document or webpage that outlines all relevant information regarding a specific topic, like harassment and sexual misconduct, as required by the OfS's registration condition E6. It should be easily accessible to students and staff and contain clear and comprehensive information about policies, procedures, and steps taken to protect students.

This webpage is the single source of information as a web page.

A full definition of this can be found on the HR website.

Personal relationships at work

A full definition of this can be found on the Legal Services website.

Freedom of expression