Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment refers to unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated, degraded, or creates a hostile environment. It can happen between people of the same or different sexes; and may include physical contact like groping or touching, unwelcome advances or persistent sexual suggestions.
It also covers verbal actions such as sexual jokes, comments about someone’s appearance, or stalking, and online activity such as sharing offensive sexual content.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct is any unwanted or attempted unwanted sexual behaviour that a person does not consent to. It is often used as a catch all term in universities and workplaces to include a range a behaviours that may be considered as forms of misconduct. It can happen in person or online, and includes:
- Sexual harassment – refers to unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated, degraded, or creates a hostile environment
- Sexual assault – an act or threat of physical, psychological and emotional violation in the form of a sexual act, inflicted upon someone without their consent
- Rape – The legal definition of rape in England and Wales is when someone intentionally penetrates another person's vagina, anus or mouth with their penis, without that person's consent
- Assault by penetration - exists alongside rape and sexual assault. It is defined as a person intentionally penetrating the vagina, anus or mouth of a person with a part of their body or anything else, without the other person's consent
Other examples could include behaviours such as stealthing, image-based sexual abuse, pressing up against someone in a sexual way or for sexual pleasure and being promised preference in exchange for sexual activity.
Sexual misconduct can have a serious emotional and psychological impact on those who experience it. Recognising and understanding all types of sexual misconduct is essential for creating a safe and respectful university environment where all members of our community feel safe, have a sense of belonging and can always expect respect.
You can read more about the University's Stance on Harassment and Sexual Misconduct here