Student harassment and sexual misconduct

The information on this page summarises the University's policies and procedures on student harassment and sexual misconduct, including intimate personal relationships between staff members and students.

This webpage is the single comprehensive source of information required by the Office for Students (OfS registration condition E6).

What is harassment and sexual misconduct?

Harassment and sexual misconduct are defined as:

'Harassment' is unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment as defined by the Equality Act 2010. This includes harassment by association or perception.

'Sexual Misconduct' related to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. This includes, but is not limited to:

Sexual harassment as defined by Section 26(2) Equality Act 2010.
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 the law, 2017.
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.

See our Support and Report webpage for further information on Bullying and Harassment and Sexual Assault and Harassment

Report a concern

The University of Bedfordshire is a diverse, outward looking and inclusive place to study, live and work. We actively promote respect, tolerance and inclusion as core values of our learning community.

Support and Report has been established to provide a centralised point of contact for all our students and staff to share their concerns about any offensive, threatening or anti-social behaviour, on or off campus. This mechanism enables confidential and anonymous reporting of incidents to specific senior members of staff who will initiate referral to relevant teams and offer appropriate support, ensuring any follow-up is carried out as necessary.

If you have witnessed any incidents of bullying, harassment and assault or been a victim of them, then we are here to support you. It is really important that you report any such incidents to us.

The University offers specialist support for you and for anyone you know who may have been affected. As well as offering support, our advisors have been trained to offer support for victims with reporting an incident or crime to police and other relevant external agencies.

You can tell us what happened using the 'Report a concern' button above.

If you or someone you know has been victim – or has any concerns about sexual violence or sexual harassment – you can speak in confidence to a member of staff at the university who is specially trained as a SASH (Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment) Responder.

The SASH Responder will not push for details, make assumptions or take any action without your consent – unless it is perceived that there is a significant risk to you or others. Their role is to listen and provide practical advice and support about the options open to you, including how to make a formal complaint to the University and/or the police should you choose to do so.

If you would like to speak to a SASH Responder, you can contact the Student Information Desk, Reception or a member of security who will arrange this for you.

Internal Support

SASH Responder provide immediate help and advice to any student who has been victim or has concerns relating to sexual violence or harassment and will refer to both internal and external agencies for ongoing support.
Student Engagement Advisors offer support and advice on any issues impacting on your academic studies and will signpost to more specialist services, as appropriate. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the Student Information Desk.
Beds SU's Advice Service offers confidential, impartial advice and information on academic and personal issues, including advice on procedures and representation at meetings

External Support

Emerald Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provide free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people in Bedfordshire, including forensic medical examinations and access to specialist counselling support.
Victim Support in Bedfordshire provide domestic abuse support services and have an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) based in Luton, Bedford and at Bedford Hospital. They also have a 24/7 Support line for support with all types of crime.
Luton All Women’s Centre offer a wide-range of advisory, information, practical and holistic support services to women and girls in Bedfordshire.
Survivors UK runs the National Male Survivors Online helpline, offering support for men, boys and non-binary people who have experienced sexual abuse.

The Sexual Violence and Harassment Protocol defines what harassment and sexual misconduct are and sets out the University’s approach to preventing and addressing harassment and sexual misconduct.

Support and Report - Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Support and Report form. Concerns will be viewed by senior management at the University and your concerns will be fed in to the appropriate team to respond to you.
If you wish to make a formal complaint against a staff or student at the University, there are formal processes to do this. They can be found on the complaints section of the University website

We are committed to ensuring that students understand what harassment and sexual misconduct is, how to report it, and what support is available to them.

All new students are enrolled in a micro-learning course that covers harassment & sexual misconduct and provides students with easy-to-remember advice and the relevant reporting processes at the University of Bedfordshire.

We are committed to ensuring a safe place for all to work. We have updated our Dignity and Respect at Work Policy [PDF] to clarify that sexual harassment is totally unacceptable at the University of Bedfordshire.

We have developed mandatory online training for staff based on Preventing Sexual Harassment. Please click on the the link for the People Development Hub where you will find the training.
Staff involved in specialist roles (such as Student Support Advisors, Sexual Violence Liaison Officers and staff carrying out investigations) receive specialist training appropriate and relevant to their roles.

The University of Bedfordshire recognises that good working relations are important to the creation of positive, engaging and inspiring work and study. However, personal relationships between staff, and between staff and students, can sometimes lead to negative and/or unintended consequences, such as conflicts of interest, unfair/biased treatment, abuses of power, sexual misconduct, and detriment to wellbeing.

The University has developed a Personal Relationships Policy to ensure all professional and personal relationships amongst and between staff and students are conducted in such a way as to safeguards against any negative or unintended consequences. The policy clarifies expectations and obligations of staff and ensures processes are in place to safeguard against abuses of power and sexual misconduct.

Close personal or intimate relationships between staff and students are prohibited where a staff member has direct academic responsibilities or other direct professional responsibilities

Since September 2024, the Office for Students has prohibited universities from using NDAs in relation to student allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct. In line with that, the University of Bedfordshire does not use Non-disclosure agreements.

Please find links below to some of the University’s policies and processes: