Course Description
Our Harassment and Sexual Misconduct at Universities for Students course provides university students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand, respond to, and prevent harassment and sexual misconduct. This session is designed in line with the latest Office for Students Guidance and trauma-informed, survivor-centred best practices.
Students are a vital part of creating a campus culture rooted in respect, safety, and accountability. This session focuses on empowering students to understand and define harassment and sexual misconduct, including the legal aspects, the principles of consent, and their roles in responding to and preventing harm. Students will also learn how to be active bystanders, intervene safely, and know where to turn for support if they or someone else is affected.
Course Content
The session will cover a wide range of topics, including the spectrum of behaviours that constitute harassment or sexual misconduct, the myths and facts surrounding these issues, and how consent operates in real-world situations. Students will also gain insight into the university’s reporting procedures, the support services available to them, and how to handle difficult situations, including de-escalation techniques.
Delivery
Through engaging case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, participants will build confidence in navigating the complexities of harassment and sexual misconduct, taking informed action, and supporting themselves and their peers.
The session is available in-person or online for up to 20 participants per session and is also offered in an eLearning format.
Who's It For?
- University Students
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to…
- Be able to define and understand behaviour that may consisture harassment or sexual misconduct.
- Be able to identify the range of attitudes, behaviours and acts from subtle to overt knowing what is acceptable and what is not.
- Explore some of the myths and facts around all forms of problematic behaviours, including harassment, misconduct and violence.
- Understand how they are covered by law and have detail on the OFS Guidance, what is required of the university to comply with the condition and the principles of freedom of speech.
- Bable to identify key parts of consent in the context of harassment and sexual misconduct.
- Be able to define consent according to UK law.
- Identify the two key elements of consent: freedom and capacity, and what might restrict or prevent someone from having these.
- Explore how legal definitions of consent apply in real-world contexts, particularly within a university setting.
- Understand the FRIES model of consent and its five key components.
- Apply this understanding to real-life scenarios within the university setting.
- Be able to take an intersectional approach to understand harassment and sexual misconduct.
- Feel confident to be an active bystander.
- Learn how to recognise the signs of harassment and sexual misconduct considering the person experiencing it, the people around them, and other indicators.
- Know who can be an Active Bystander.
- Understand the importance of bystander interventions.
- Know research-based Active Bystander interventions.
- Feel confident to safely intervene to harassment and sexual misconduct in all its forms with the 5Ds.
- Apply reporting and support strategies from the university and specialist services.
- Review the importance of reporting procedures, understanding the reporting options, and knowing how to report an incident at the university.
- Understand the ‘Report and Support’ system and the processes following the raising of a concern at the university.
- Be aware of relevant support services available at the university and in the local area, with the ability to signpost or make referrals.
- Understand the single comprehensive source of information available at the university.
- Practice strategies for recognising and de-escalating harmful situations.
- Identify resources and support services available to survivors and those affected by harassment and misconduct.
- Apply strategies for how to report and seek support effectively at the university and local area for yourself and others.
