If you have been a victim of sexually misconduct , reporting can be difficult and daunting. You may be put off reporting, through fear of what may happen or because you don’t want to relive what happened to you. Whether you want to report what has happened, or talk through your options, there are a number of university-based support services available to you. They can also provide general support if you don’t want to take the incident any further.
If you think you have, or someone else has, been subject to any act of sexual misconduct, there are lots of ways in which you, or they, can get help:
●For students: Student Well-Being Support services, Student Counselling Services, or the Student Union. You may also report it directly on the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence. It you feel that your report has not been handled appropriately, you have the right to make a formal complaint to the University, following the University’s Complaints Handling Procedures.
●For staff: Staff Recourses. You may also report it directly on the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence. It you feel that your report has not been handled appropriately, you have the right to make a formal complaint to the University, following the University’s Complaints Handling Procedures.
University support services
- Report+Support allows students and staff to report incidents either anonymously or with contact details for follow-up. The service also provides information on a range of different incidents, along with both internal and external support services.
- Student Wellbeing Services can provide information and advice to help support students for a number of issues and direct them to more specialist support services. They also have a counselling service which provides one-to-one, confidential support for students, in the form of short-term counselling or referral to specialised support services.
- The Advice Hub offer free, impartial and confidential advice to students about a range of issues, including mental health and wellbeing.
- Respect Ambassadors are staff members who can provide confidential guidance and support to staff who have witnessed or experienced inappropriate behaviour or are having a difficult time.
- Care First is a health package for staff, which offers support for a range of practical and emotional issues, as well as one-to-one counselling sessions.
Reporting to the Police: Experiencing rape or sexual assault can make you feel violated and extremely vulnerable. Deciding whether to report the incident to the police can often be difficult, and the thought of having to relive what has happened may put you off reporting. It’s important to remember that what you choose to do it your choice. You do not have to report if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.
Scottish Campuses Specific:
You can report any incident to Police Scotland by visiting your local police station, online or by calling 101. You can ask to speak to a female police officer if you prefer. You can also report the incident anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If you are being threatened or are in immediate danger, please call 999.
If you choose not to report to the police right now, you can get a forensic examination from SARCS, who will store any evidence they collect for 26 months. If you then decide to report to the police, they can use this evidence to build their case. You can still choose to report at a later time if you have not had a forensic examination.
If you have experienced a sexual assault and are unsure about what your next steps are or whether you want to report it, you can contact the Student Wellbeing Services who will talk you through your options and provide you with any support you may need.