Experiencing sexual harassment can have a significant impact on your mental health, wellbeing and day to day life. Your safety and wellbeing are important and you can access specialist support, if and whenever you feel ready.
If you need emergency support
- If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999
- Finding a safe space. If possible try and find somewhere you feel safe. If this isn't possible and you are on campus you can call security on 01772 892068
- The Ask For Angela Scheme is nationwide and encourages anyone who may feel uncomfortable, unsafe or vulnerable while out in the city centre to ‘Ask for Angela’
Student Resource:
The student Counselling, Mental Health & Wellbeing service . In addition to providing wellbeing support for a range of issues that affect students, the service has specialist trained Sexual Violence Liaison staff who can talk you through your reporting options and what support is available. They can be contacted on 01772 893020
Download the University's Safe Zone app to access a range of safety support and information such as raising an emergency alert, calling for help and setting a check in timer which alerts security if you do not reach your destination in a set amount of time
Report and Support is a disclosure site which allows the university community and visitors to inform the university of unwanted behaviours. You can report anonymously or you can submit a report with contact details and speak with a trained member of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team or The People Team, to discuss your disclosure and options. This in in line with the University’s privacy statement
Further advice and guidance can be located on the Student Hub support section and Reporting issues and concerns page
Mitigating Circumstances. If you feel your studies have been affected by what has happened you can consider applying for Mitigating Circumstances
The Student Union Advice Service is a free, confidential, independent and experienced service for the student community to access representation and support.
Student Support is the student information and support centre who provide all students with a high-quality information and support service. If your query is more specialist, they will help you as much as they can before referring you directly to the team who can help. Find them on the ground floor of the Student Centre.
Staff resources:
The People Team who can provide advice, guidance and signposting for staff. Further information can be found Colleague Wellbeing and Support pages.
The University Advice and Resolution Centre (ARC) offers members of the public and the university community access to free legal and advisory services.
Information relating to University Procedures are available and provide information about how you can make a formal complaint to the university about your experience.
Trade Unions. There are three trade unions that represent staff at the University: Unison, Unite and UCU.
Staff Counselling service or call 01772 892329 to request an appointment.
EDI Contacts & Colleague Networks. The University has several staff network groups which you can view on the staff Intranet through clicking the link. These groups provide a forum for staff to discuss issues of mutual interest and the ability to raise issues in a safe environment. They can help new staff settle in, provide networking opportunities across departments and increase staff knowledge of the University's activities.
Support for all:
Police: If you're thinking of reporting to the police, rape crisis have produced a useful list of things to think about. If the incident occurred outside of Lancashire you can ring the Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing team on 01772 893020 to discuss how to contact your local Police force if you are unsure.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) At the SARC you can get medical care (including tests for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy), specialist advice makes a statement, and have forensic samples taken, without having to report the matter to the police. The forensic evidence is stored at the SARC in case you want to report the abuse to the police in the future.
Lancashire – SAFE Centre https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/our-services?service=58·
Cumbria – The Bridgeway https://www.thebridgeway.org.uk/contact/#·
Greater Manchester – St Mary’s Centre https://www.stmaryscentre.org/·
Merseyside – Safe Place Merseyside http://www.safeplacemerseyside.org.uk/
Sexual Assault Referral Centre, or Rape Crisis Centre
Rape Crisis Support in England and Wales
Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs)
ISVA's are trained to look after the needs of a survivor of rape or sexual violence to ensure they receive the best possible support.
- ISVA Support in Lancashire
- ISVA Support in Cumbria
- Trust House Lancashire provides specialist counselling for survivors of sexual violence
- Revenge Porn Helpline
- Humraaz – A brighter future specialist service in Lancashire led by and for black and minoritized women and girls, supporting survivors of violence, including sexual violence
- Karma Nirvana is a national charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage
- National Male Survivor Helpline
- Galop is an LGBT+ anti-violence charity who support people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
Domestic Violence Support
Lancashire - Victim Support offer support to anyone living in Lancashire, aged five and over, who has been affected by rape, sexual violence or child sexual exploitation. We also offer support to parents and carers of victims aged four and under.
Additionally, they offer support to anyone aged 16 and over who is experiencing domestic abuse, living in Lancashire (excluding Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen). We offer offer support to children and young people aged 5 to 17 who may have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse within their home environment.
The Wish Centre is often the first point of contact for people in Blackburn with Darwen who are experiencing domestic abuse. Fully qualified and specialist staff are available to discuss choices and options in a non-judgemental way, providing emotional and practical support.
Fylde Coast Women’s Aid Fylde Coast Women’s Aid (FCWA) offers free advice and support to individuals living in Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, stalking and child sexual exploitation.
Cumbria Domestic Violence Support promotes a wide range of support services available in the Cumbria locality.