Sexual Misconduct, Harassment and Consent at Hugh Baird University Centre

At Hugh Baird University Centre, we are committed to building a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. Harassment and sexual misconduct are not tolerated under any circumstances.

We are here to prevent, address, and respond to any concerns that arise — and to ensure everyone can report issues without fear of retaliation.

Our Commitment

We actively prevent harassment and sexual misconduct through training, campaigns, and clear reporting options.
All reports are handled sensitively, fairly, and confidentially.
Our goal is to make sure everyone feels safe and respected.

Sexual misconduct is any sexual behaviour without consent. It can involve manipulation, coercion, threats, force, intimidation, bullying, or deception.

Examples include:

Sexual assault and rape
Indecent exposure (flashing)
Voyeurism (watching private acts without consent)
Sexual exploitation

Support is available for individuals affected by abuse — whether it happened recently or in the past.

Harassment is any unwanted behaviour — physical, verbal, or non-verbal — that offends, humiliates, degrades, or intimidates someone. It can affect a person’s ability to learn, work, or participate in social life.

Harassment can involve:

Unwanted physical contact, including pushing, touching, grabbing, or serious assault
Intimidating or offensive comments, gestures, or jokes
Mocking a person’s disability
Racist, sexist, ageist, or homophobic remarks
Threatening to "out" someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity
Excluding someone from conversations or activities
Harassment may also be considered a hate crime when motivated by prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics.
Anyone can be affected by harassment, whether or not they are the direct target.

It is essential that everyone involved in any sexual activity gives their full and ongoing consent. To be able to consent, a person must have freedom, choice, and capacity.

Freedom
Consent must be given freely. If someone is being pressured, intimidated, manipulated, or threatened into sexual activity, they do not have the freedom to consent. This includes both physical and emotional threats — for example, saying a relationship will end if they do not agree to sex. Consent cannot be assumed from silence or lack of resistance. It is not valid if there is coercion, force, intimidation, or if a power imbalance is being exploited.

Choice
Everyone has the right to decide what they do or do not want to do sexually. This includes the right to say yes or no to specific activities, and the right to change their mind at any time. Respecting someone’s choices is a core part of healthy and responsible sexual behaviour.

Capacity
A person must have the capacity to consent. This means they must be aware, awake, and able to understand what is happening. Someone who is under the age of consent, unconscious, asleep, or so affected by alcohol or drugs that they cannot understand or communicate clearly, does not have the capacity to consent.

Across all parts of the UK, the legal age of consent is 16. This applies regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or whether the sexual activity is between people of the same or different genders.

Reporting Issues and Concerns

If you experience or witness bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic abuse, hate crime, or discrimination — it is never acceptable.

You can report concerns through our Safeguarding referral form.

All reports are handled sensitively and fairly. Information is only shared with trained staff on a strict need-to-know basis and is treated confidentially, in line with data protection legislation.

External Support

If you would prefer to speak to someone external to the university there are lots of services who can offer support and some are listed below:

Sexual harassment at work handbook by Rights of Women.
Rape Crisis England and Wales.
National Male Survivor helpline.
Galop is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people affected by sexual violence.
Revenge Porn Helpline.

✔

Listen without judgement.
Believe them.

✔

Let them lead.
Do not pressure them to take actions they are not ready for.

✔

Refer them to support services.
Help them access the right help.

✔

Take care of yourself too.

We provide information and resources to help students understand their rights, responsibilities, and available support. Students are informed through:

Inductions and training sessions
Campaigns, workshops, and online materials
Access to clear reporting guidance at any time

Students who report incidents, as well as those who are the subject of a complaint, will be:

Informed of key stages of the process
Notified of investigation outcomes where appropriate
Supported throughout the process with access to advice and wellbeing services

When a report is made, the University Centre will:

Assess the report and initiate an investigation where appropriate
Handle the process sensitively and fairly
Maintain independence and impartiality throughout
Offer appropriate support to all parties involved
Investigations are conducted under clear procedures to ensure credible, fair decision-making

At Hugh Baird University Centre, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students. As part of this commitment, all students are required to complete essential training designed to raise awareness of harassment and sexual misconduct, and equip them with the tools to recognise, prevent and respond to inappropriate behaviours.

This mandatory training provides a clear and comprehensive overview of what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct, helping students understand their rights and responsibilities, as well as how to support others. Developed in partnership with specialists and shaped by student feedback, the training reflects the diverse needs and experiences of our university community.

Support services and reporting pathways are clearly highlighted throughout, ensuring students know where to turn for guidance or help. The training also includes pre- and post-module surveys to help us monitor its effectiveness and make improvements where needed.

We understand that some of the content may be difficult to engage with, particularly for those with lived experience of these issues. While we encourage all students to take part, we also offer an alternative format for those who may need it.

By completing the training, students will gain a better understanding of UK legal definitions, learn how to identify harmful behaviours and their impact, and explore how to be an active bystander. The training also outlines the university’s commitment to maintaining a culture of respect and explains how each member of our community plays a part.

In addition, awareness campaigns are run throughout the academic year to reinforce key messages and encourage the application of this learning in everyday situations.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, all staff at Hugh Baird University Centre are required to complete annual training focused on preventing and responding to harassment and sexual misconduct.

This bespoke online training has been developed to reflect the specific context of our institution. It ensures that staff are clear on what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct, and that they understand their responsibilities when it comes to responding to concerns or disclosures. The training aims to build staff confidence and capability in offering initial support and referring students or colleagues to appropriate services.

We are aware that some individuals may find aspects of the training emotionally challenging, particularly those with lived experiences of these issues. While participation is strongly encouraged, we do offer an alternative option for those who may require it.

Additional specialist training is provided to colleagues in specific roles, including those supporting student wellbeing or who are directly involved in investigations.

Staff who take part in investigations relating to harassment or sexual misconduct have received intensive, trauma-informed training to ensure they handle such matters sensitively and appropriately.