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At Shrewsbury College, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students and staff. This page provides a single, comprehensive source of information about harassment and sexual misconduct, including definitions, reporting procedures, support services, and preventative measures.
Harassment
Harassment is defined under Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It includes:
- Unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic.
- Conduct that has the purpose or effect of:
- Violating a person’s dignity.
- Creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.
The law considers:
- The perception of the person affected.
- The circumstances of the case.
- Whether it is reasonable for the conduct to have that effect.
In the context of section 26 of the Equality Act 2010, in deciding whether conduct has the effect of violating a person’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment towards that person, it is necessary to take into account; the perception the person who is at the receiving end of the conduct; the other circumstances of the case; and whether it is reasonable for the conduct to have the effect. The last point is important because it introduces an element of objectivity in the test. The perception of the person who is at the receiving end of the conduct is not the only relevant consideration in determining whether the conduct amounts to unlawful harassment.
In the context of section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, an offence is committed only if the person knows the conduct amounts to harassment of the other, or a reasonable person in possession of the same information would think the course of conduct amounted to harassment of the other person.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual harassment, violence and abuse are issues that are important to consider within the college as well as in the wider societal context. They often have at their core the manipulation of a power imbalance.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission defines sexual harassment in this context as unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating a student’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the student.
The Office for Students defines sexual misconduct as all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. Students can be subjected to sexual misconduct from other students, staff, or visitors (authorised or otherwise) in university or college settings. The perpetrator may be a stranger, or someone they are acquainted with or know (including another student, a member of university or college staff, or a former or current intimate partner). The misconduct can occur through any medium (including online) and in any setting relating to the student experience (including learning, social, leisure, and residential spaces).
Sexual misconduct
This relates to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. It includes:
- sexual harassment (as defined by Section 26 (2) of the Equality Act 2010) - unwanted conduct which creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment (as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
– sexual assault (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003) - rape (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003)
- physical unwanted sexual advances (as set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, ‘Sexual harassment and the law’, 2017)
- intimidation, or promising resources or benefits in return for sexual favours (as set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, ‘Sexual harassment and harassment at work: Technical guidance’, 2020)
- distributing private and personal explicit images or video footage of an individual without their consent (as defined by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015).
Reporting Incidents
Students and staff can report incidents of harassment or sexual misconduct through:
- our confidential reporting system – through a tutor, safeguarding team member and the email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - contacting the college Human Resources Department on
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Investigation and Resolution
Investigations follow our formal procedures, ensuring fairness and support for all parties involved. All complaints are handled with sensitivity and confidentiality.
Support Available
We offer:
- Access to counselling, advocacy, and legal advice.
- Referrals to external services such as the police, NHS, and specialist charities.
- Our safeguarding team is here to help anyone affected by sexual violence.
They provide:
- Immediate and ongoing support to help you navigate through difficult times.
- Assistance with reporting incidents, including to external authorities.
- Information and education on your rights and available resources.
Please note, we do not advocate anonymous reporting. We already monitor and work proactively to understand the issues impacting our college community, and to shape our prevention of, and response to, unacceptable behaviour. Our focus is to support anyone affected, and therefore if we are not able to contact you or act on this information, we feel we cannot sensitively respond effectively.
To report an issue of sexual harassment or violence, contact our Safeguarding Team using the contact information in the box below.
If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, please contact the emergency services on 999.
Access to counselling, advocacy, and legal advice.
External referrals (e.g., police, NHS, specialist charities).
- External Support and Helplines
Below is a list of support services that you can contact in a non-emergency situation, for help and advice:
- Police (non-emergency): 101
- NHS (non-emergency): 111
- NHS Mental Health Support: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
- The Samaritans: 116 123
- Student Minds: www.studentminds.org.uk
- Student Space: https://studentspace.org.uk/
- Mind: 0300 102 1234
- SHOUT: Text ‘Shout’ to 85285 any time, day or night: https://giveusashout.org/
- The Glade Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC): 0330 223 0099
- Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) through AXIS: 01743 357777
- West Mercia Women's Aid: 0800 229 4066
- Rape Crisis: 0808 500 2222
- The Survivors Trust: 0808 801 0818
- Survivors UK: 0203 598 3898
- Victim Support: 0808 168 9111
- Safeline: 01926 402498
- Galop (LGBT+ support): 0800 999 5428
Monitoring and Evaluation
We track incidents and outcomes of conduct and behavioural expectations to:
- Identify patterns and areas for improvement.
- Use data to refine policies and practices.
- Ensure accountability and transparency.
Student Involvement
We actively involve students in shaping our policies through:
- Consultation forums and focus groups, termly.
- Feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement as part of the college’s quality procedures and self-assessment reporting.