Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

It is the policy of The London College to prohibit bullying or harassment of any employee or student by another person (employee, student, or visitor). The purpose is to provide a workplace that is free from bullying and unlawful harassment in any form, including harassment based on gender, unwelcome sexual advances, verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature, such as uninvited touching or sexually explicit materials such as pictures, books, posters and the like. See the policy for more details.

Harassment is defined at the College’s Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy as follows:

’Harassment’ is single or repeated incidents involving unwanted or unwarranted conduct towards another person which it is reasonable to think would have the effect of (i) violating that other’s dignity or (ii) creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for that other.

Harassment may be verbal, psychological, or physical, in person or via a virtual platform, or through other methods of contact. It may occur in the course of an academic, sporting, social, cultural, or other activity either within the premises of the College or elsewhere in the context of a person’s affiliation with the College, or in circumstances where the victim of the harassment is a member, officer, or employee of the College.

Sexual misconduct is defined at the College’s Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy as follows:

‘Sexual misconduct’ is a form of harassment, namely unacceptable behaviour of a sexual nature. Sexual misconduct includes the following, whether or not within a sexual or romantic relationship, including where consent to some form of sexual activity has been given and then withdrawn, or if consent has been given on previous occasions:

• sexual intercourse or engaging in a sexual act without consent
• attempting to engage in sexual intercourse or engaging in a sexual act without consent
• sharing private sexual materials of another person without consent;
• kissing without consent;
• touching inappropriately through clothes without consent;
• inappropriately showing sexual organs to another person;
• repeatedly following another person without good reason;
• making unwanted remarks of a sexual nature.

If you find yourself in a situation involving harassment or sexual misconduct, it is essential to prioritise your safety and well-being. Your immediate actions can be pivotal in ensuring your protection and preserving evidence, which may be crucial if you decide to report the incident.

Seek safety: First and foremost, ensure that you are safe. If you are in immediate danger, contact the campus security team or the police by calling 999 immediately.

Document the incident: Write down every detail you can remember about the incident as soon as possible. This documentation should include times, dates, locations, and any witnesses.

Reach out for support: Contact a trusted friend, family member, or the college Welfare Officer who can offer emotional assistance.

Students: If you find yourself in a situation involving harassment or sexual misconduct, speak to the Welfare Officer who will explain your options in confidence, guide you to relevant resources, and support you in determining your next steps.

Staff: If you find yourself in a similar situation, speak to the HR manager.

Visitors: If you find yourself in a similar situation, speak to the HR manager or Welfare Officer.

Once you have filed a report, several processes may unfold. Understanding these can help you manage expectations and prepare for what lies ahead.

Investigation: The College will conduct an investigation to gather information and assess the situation. This process may involve interviews with you, the accused, and any witnesses.

Confidentiality: While your privacy is crucial, understand that some information may need to be shared with relevant parties to conduct a thorough investigation.

Resolution and outcomes: After the investigation, the College will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include disciplinary measures against the perpetrator and/or referring the matter to law enforcement agencies.

Being a victim of harassment or sexual misconduct can be isolating and overwhelming, but you are not alone. The College offers various resources to support you during this challenging time. Support is also available for those who are facing allegations.

Dedicated staff: The Welfare Officer can offer guidance and support throughout the reporting and investigation process.

Physical and mental health: The Welfare Officer and/or an appropriately trained person can guide you on accessing physical and mental health supports.

Academic Support: If the incident affects your study, reach out to the Programme Administrator who can help and guide you on exploring additional study support, assignment deadline extensions etc.

We are launching a training programme i.e. ‘Unacceptable Conduct’ soon. Upon completion, participants should be equipped to take a stand against harassment and sexual misconduct. They will also be invited to provide us with feedback to evaluate and improve it.

We are launching a staff training programme i.e. ‘Dealing with unacceptable conduct’ soon. Its purpose is to help relevant members of staff understand their role and deal with harassment and sexual misconduct appropriately.

The College discourages personal relationships between staff and students, with the exception of previously established relationships that must be disclosed to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest are appropriately managed. See our Conflict of Interest Policy for more details.

The London College does not use Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) concerning student allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.