Staff guidance

This information outlines the process for responding to and handling allegations of sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct covers a broad range of inappropriate, unwanted behaviours which create (or have the potential to create) an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive situation or environment for the person experiencing the behaviour.

Harassment is unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct that may (intentionally or unintentionally) violate a person’s dignity or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Unlawful harassment may involve conduct of a sexual nature (sexual harassment), or it may be related to a protected characteristic.

Report/Disclose an incident

All reported cases of sexual misconduct and harassment will be taken very seriously by the University, and the appropriate procedures will be used to investigate complaints. During any process of investigation, the University will support all students and staff members involved in a case of sexual misconduct and harassment.

A disclosure is made when someone tells a member of University staff that they may have experienced sexual misconduct or harassment. A disclosure can be made in person or via other means such as phone or email.

Disclosure does not create a formal complaint, and is not an instruction for the University to take action. The person who has disclosed will have the opportunity to be heard and to consider their options before proceeding with any further steps.

No action will be taken immediately by the University without the reporting party’s consent unless there is a concern about immediate safety.

The University recognises that staff or students may disclose an incident of sexual misconduct to any member of staff whom they trust.

If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed an incident, you can report this, or you can tell us anonymously by completing the online reporting tool.

The following provides further details in relation to completing the reporting tool:

Guidance on completing the Sexual Misconduct & Harassment Reporting Form (staff)

Upon receiving a disclosure of sexual misconduct, you should ensure the immediate safety of the reporting party. If the individual is in immediate threat or danger or in need of immediate medical attention (on campus), please contact a Campus Security Operative on:

Hope Park: 0151 291 3520

Aigburth Park: 0151 291 2120

Creative Campus: 0151 291 3939

Campus Security Operatives will also call the emergency services for you if you request this.
If there is no immediate danger, do not call the police or ambulance service without the explicit consent of the disclosing reporting party.

If you receive a disclosure of sexual misconduct, you should:

• Remain calm and listen to the reporting party
• Reassure the reporting party
• Respect the reporting party's feelings and decisions and acknowledge that they have choices
• Ensure that you are aware of the support services, both internal and external, to signpost the reporting party if needed

A staff member can contact a HR Manager in People Services for advice on how to best support staff or contact Student Life for students, and may do so without disclosing the individual's identity. The person who has chosen to disclose does not need to provide the full details of their experience if they do not wish to. They will not be pressured to make a formal complaint, and they can remain anonymous (albeit with the limitations explained).

The HR Manager's contact details can be found on our Meet the team webpage.

No staff member who receives a disclosure should attempt to investigate the incident or inform the Responding Party or any other individual of the disclosure.

If following an initial disclosure, the individual chooses not to take any further action, the member of staff should agree with them on the details of any records kept about the disclosure.