Skip to main content
Freedom of Information
Search for something
Search...

Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

This webpage summarises the University's policies and procedures on student harassment and sexual misconduct, including intimate personal relationships between staff members and students. 

Definitions and terminology

Sexual misconduct is any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for a student or employee. 

Preferred terminology related to sexual violence, discrimination, and harassment can vary significantly between individuals. While the term "misconduct" may not reflect everyone's experience, it is used in this context because the University does not have the authority to determine whether a criminal offence (such as sexual assault or a hate crime) has occurred. Instead, the University investigates potential breaches of its own policies, procedures, or code of conduct. 

Awareness and training

Newcastle University is committed to working proactively to prevent cases of harassment and sexual misconduct. We do this in a number of ways, including by making sure everyone in our University community knows what is expected of them and the types of behaviours that are and are not acceptable. 

The University and Students’ Union have developed videos for students and employees to raise awareness of behaviours not tolerated by the University and what to do if you witness or experience them. 

We ensure that all members of the University community receive appropriate training, so everyone has the skills and knowledge to challenge unacceptable behaviours and to report these where necessary. There are free resources available for both employees and students (such as this video on consent), alongside mandatory training sessions. 

Training for students

All students are required to undertake the following online training courses at registration each year as part of their core induction programme:

 

Training for employees

University employees are required to complete the following training at least once every three years: 

In addition to this, University employees who are likely to be involved in investigations relating to harassment and sexual misconduct undergo further, specialist training so that such investigations can be conducted in a fair, robust and trauma-informed way.  

Personal Relationships at Work Policy

We are committed to protecting students and employees from any actual or potential conflict of interest and/or abuse of power that may arise from intimate personal relationships at work. 

The Personal Relationships at Work Policy outlines the University’s expectations regarding personal relationships between employees and students, and between employees, where a power imbalance exists.

The policy aims to protect the integrity of academic and professional environments, prevent conflicts of interest, and ensure transparency and fairness. It requires employees to declare any close personal or intimate relationships with students or other employees where a supervisory or evaluative role is involved.

The policy also reinforces the University's commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all members of the community. 

Reporting and investigations

Unless we believe that there is a real danger to an individual, we will always be led by the individual who has reported an incident and their choices. 

Student misconduct

The University has a code of conduct called the Student Charter, which includes behavioural expectations. When students register each year, they agree to the terms of the Student Charter.

When a registered student does something that breaches the Student Charter (for example, if they break the law, or if they behave violently or in a way that might harm others), it is likely that they have not followed the code of conduct, so we call this ‘misconduct’. 

Any student can report or disclose potential sexual misconduct to the University, or seek support, via the following routes: 

If a student experiences misconduct from another Newcastle University student – for example, sexual violence, discrimination, harassment or hate-related behaviours - and they choose to make a formal report of their experiences, it will be investigated in line with the Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. 

The University has specific investigation protocols, which set out how reports of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and hate-related misconduct against registered students will be investigated: 

Students can also consult the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about how a report of sexual misconduct will be investigated. 

Employee misconduct

Colleagues can report allegations of sexual misconduct to their line manager, if appropriate, or to their local People Services colleagues. Reports can be made by people directly impacted or others who observe or know of sexual misconduct. 

Reports of sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination or hate-related behaviours from Newcastle University employees will be investigated by People Services, in line with the appropriate policies and procedures, including: 

 Colleagues can also submit reports anonymously which will not trigger formal action. 
 

Support services

Experiencing or witnessing violence, discrimination, or harassment can make it challenging to determine appropriate next steps or to process information needed for informed decision-making. 

Support for students
  • The University’s Student Health and Wellbeing Service  provides support to any student affected by sexual violence, harassment, discrimination, or hate-related behaviours, regardless of whether a formal report is made. This service is available to students of all genders, sexualities and backgrounds, and the University also provides specialist support to male and nonbinary students who have experienced sexual violence. 
  • Wellbeing Advisors can provide guidance on the process of making a formal report to the University or the Police and can direct students to additional support services. Access to this support is available through the  Student Health and Wellbeing Service.  
  • Support is also available for individuals who have witnessed incidents or are involved in investigations related to harassment or sexual misconduct. All support provided by the Student Health and Wellbeing Service is confidential and operates independently of any formal investigative procedures. 
Support for employees

University employees who have experienced, witnessed, or are being investigated in relation to a report of harassment or sexual misconduct can access free and impartial advice and support through the University’s Employee Assistance Programme. 

Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU)

Reports of sexual misconduct, hate related incidents, spiking or dangerous behaviours at organised student socials occurring within Students’ Union clubs, societies, or activities can be submitted through the NUSU’s ‘Report it’ online  reporting tool.  Reports can be submitted as formal complaints or informally and anonymously. 

Any reports made to NUSU, will be investigated in line with the appropriate policies and procedures. These can be found here: Newcastle University Students' Union (nusu.co.uk) and include: 

 

Download PDF version

The contents of this page are also available as a PDF. 

Harassment and Sexual Misconduct PDF