Any form of sexual harassment or misconduct is never okay.
Sexual harassment refers to any kind of unwanted sexual behaviour that compromises your dignity and can leave you feeling offended, humiliated or intimidated. It also includes inappropriate behaviour that creates a hostile environment.
Sexual harassment may be verbal, non-verbal or physical.
Verbal sexual harassment includes sexually suggestive comments about your body or appearance and name calling, whilst non-verbal harassment refers to indecent or offensive gestures that make you feel uncomfortable or vulnerable.
Physical sexual harassment involves unwanted touching or physical contact, such as brushing up against you, pinching you, or hugging or kissing you.
Other examples of sexual harassment include:
- Sexual noises such as catcalling and wolf-whistling
- Making sexual innuendos or having inappropriate ‘banter’
- Talking about you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
- Leering, staring or making suggestive looks, including looking you up and down
- Making unwanted sexual advances or propositions, such as sexual requests or asking for sexual favours
- Sending or displaying sexually suggestive or explicit content, including messages, emails and images such as ‘dick pics’, both publicly and privately
- Indecent exposure or ‘flashing’
- Taking a photo or video under another person’s clothing without their knowledge, known as ‘upskirting’
- Sextortion – blackmailing someone to pay money or do something by threatening to release sexual or indecent images of them
- Asking inappropriate or personal questions about your sex life
Sexual harassment can happen in any setting, either in-person, online or over the phone. Anyone can be sexually harassed by another person, either by someone they know or a stranger.
Sexual harassment can either be a one-off incident or a serious of repeated instances.
Sexual Harassment and Disciplinary Procedures
Sexual harassment is contrary to the University Staff Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures and Disciplinary Code and the Student Disciplinary Procedures.