Sexual Harassment & Violence

We’re committed to creating a place where every student can succeed and feel supported, both in their studies and in their personal life. We work hard to build a community that’s safe, welcoming and respectful, where everyone is treated fairly and no one faces discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

It is important that everyone is aware of sexual violence and the fact children and adults can and sometimes do, abuse their peers in this way. We take a proactive approach to tackling bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. Some of the ways we do this are:
Our staff and students receive training to help them recognise unacceptable behaviour and understand how to challenge it. If anyone is affected, we make sure they can access support quickly and confidently.When concerns are raised, we follow clear, fair and transparent processes to address what’s happened, repair any harm and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

We have policies in place to outline our approach, you can find them here:

When referring to sexual violence we are referring to sexual offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, including some of the examples described below.

Get in touch

Contact our Safeguarding, Welfare and Wellbeing team.

Call: 0191 490 0300

Email: [email protected]

Consent

Consent is about having the freedom and capacity to choose. Consent to sexual activity may be given to one sort of sexual activity but not another, for example to vaginal but not anal sex or penetration with conditions, such as wearing a condom. Consent can be withdrawn at any time during sexual activity, and each time activity occurs. Someone consents to vaginal, anal or oral penetration only if s/he agrees by choice to that penetration and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice.

Sexual harassment

When referring to sexual harassment we mean ‘unwanted conduct of a sexual nature’ related to sex or gender reassignment that can occur online and offline. When we reference sexual harassment in the college’s s policies, we do so in the context of child-on-child sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is likely to

  • violate a person’s dignity, and/or make them feel intimidated
  • degraded or humiliated and/or create a hostile
  • offensive or sexualised environment.
  • It also includes treating someone less favourably because of rejecting or submitting to sexual conduct or harassment.

Whilst not intended to be an exhaustive list, sexual harassment can include:

  • sexual comments, such as telling sexual stories, making lewd comments, making sexual remarks about clothes and appearance and calling someone sexualised names;
  • sexually suggestive comments, “jokes” or taunting;
  • innuendo or jokes about a person’s sexual orientation, insults or inappropriate questions about one’s private life;
  • physical behaviour, such as deliberately brushing against someone, interfering with someone’s clothes and displaying pictures, photos or drawings of a sexual nature
  • online sexual harassment. This may be standalone, or part of a wider pattern of sexual harassment and/or sexual violence. It may include:
  • non-consensual sharing of sexual images and videos;
  • Sexualised online bullying; unwanted sexual comments and messages, including, on social media; and sexual exploitation; coercion and threats;
  • Repeatedly asking someone out for dates, even after being told no.

Misognyny

Misogyny is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls and the belief that men are inherently superior. Its meaning is like ‘sexism’ and can refer to behaviour and attitudes. Misogyny is directed by men against women and occurs online and offline.

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