Course Description
Our Harassment and Sexual Misconduct at Universities for Staff course equips university staff with the knowledge and skills to stand-up, respond to and prevent harassment and sexual misconduct in compliance with the Office for Students Guidance coming into force this August and in line with trauma-informed and survivor-centred best practices.
Staff play a key role in fostering a university culture that prioritises safety, respect, and accountability. This session therefore explores legal obligations, safeguarding responsibilities, and institutional policies to ensure a safe and supportive environment for students and colleagues. It will cover the impact of harassment and sexual misconduct, the principles of trauma-informed practice, and the role of staff in responding to disclosures sensitively and appropriately. It will also explore how staff can be active bystanders, intervening safely and effectively to prevent harm and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
Course Content
Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, attendees will build confidence in handling disclosures, applying trauma-informed responses, upholding institutional policies, and taking action as active bystanders.
Delivery
The session is available in-person or online for up to 20 participants per sessions as well as in an eLearning format.
Who's It For?
- University Staff
- Leadership and Senior Managers.
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.
- 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.
- Feel confident to respond to instances of harassment and sexual misconduct.
- Be able to take an intersectional approach to understand harassment and sexual misconduct.
- Understand the barriers to disclosures of harassment, including third party harassment.
- Know how to provide an effective and compassionate response to a disclosure of harassment or sexual misconduct.
- Know the key legal and safeguarding requirements when receiving a first disclosure.
- Know best practice around responding, safeguarding, documenting, reporting and supporting for students who wish to or have made an allegation.
- 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.
- Apply strategies for reporting and supporting survivors effectively.
