How to report sexual misconduct, domestic abuse and stalking

• If you are worried and want to discuss this with someone at the University now, you can contact firstpoint Monday – Friday 10am – 4:30pm on 01905 542551, e-mail them on firstpoint@worc.ac.uk, or pop in to the Peirson Building on St. Johns Campus. Outside of these hours you can call Security on 01905 855000 or e-mail them on Security@worc.ac.uk
• Should you decide to report the incident to the police, the call handler, who is not a police officer, will ask you basic questions to identify that you are currently safe and not in any danger. They will want to know your name, phone number and your location.
• A police officer will then be dispatched to see you in person.
• If you have been sexually assaulted the police may advise you to keep the clothes you were wearing in a bag and not wash them as the police may need them as evidence for the investigation.
• If you have been sexually assaulted within the last 24-48 hours, as difficult as this may be, try not to shower before speaking to the police as there may be evidence which the police can use. Try not to shower, brush your teeth and/or use the toilet before they arrive, if possible, keep your clothes unwashed.
• Don’t delete any electronic communications from your phone or emails.
• Remember, nobody is there to judge you. The first concern of the police is that you are safe.

Further Information

West Mercia Police Support

• Domestic Abuse
• Rape, Sexual Assault and other Sexual Offences

• You can call the police using 101 at the point you decide you want to report it or visit your nearest police station, if you feel that would be easier for you.
• And/or report the incident on this portal for support with calling/visiting the police or even making the decision about your next steps.

Specially Trained Officers are designated first response officers for incidents of sexual assault. They are trained in interviewing, forensic evidence recovery and will be the liaison officer. Specially Trained Officers are trained because they are passionate about helping with incidents of this nature. In regard to domestic violence an officer will be allocated the investigation. Depending on the level of risk, this may be a detective or a uniformed officer. That officer will be allocate based on the skill set that the officer has, to deal with these incidents. That may mean a local officer or an officer from another area. Emergencies will be attended by uniformed officers from the station closest.

Further Information

West Mercia Police Support

• Domestic Abuse
• Rape, Sexual Assault and other Sexual Offences

The specialist organisations listed below are available to help you. You can also use this portal to get support from the University should you need it in making a decision and being aware of your options.

None of these organisations will pressurise you into calling the police, but they will be able to offer you specialist advice and support.

Domestic Abuse Support Agencies

• Refuge – 24-hour support line for women and children experiencing domestic abuse
• Women’s Aid – The national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children
• galop – Supporting LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse, sexual violence or hate crime
• ManKind Initiative – Support for male victims of domestic abuse

Sexual Assault, Harassment and Misconduct Support Agencies

• galop – Supporting LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse, sexual violence or hate crime
• The Glade – Supporting victims of Rape or Serious Sexual Assault
• SurvivorsUK – Supporting male and non-binary survivors of sexual violence
• West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre – A free, confidential and non-judgemental support service for survivors of any form of sexual violence
• Revenge Porn Helpline – Dedicated to supporting adults who have been victims of intimate image abuse

Stalking Support Agencies

• Suzy Lamplugh Trust – The UK’s pioneering personal safety charity and leading stalking authority, incorporating the National Stalking Helpline
• paladin – National Stalking Advocacy Service assisting victims of high-risk stalking, providing support and advice

Additional Support Resources

• Citizens’ Advice Worcester

• Offer you a specific member of staff from the Student Support and Wellbeing Team to support you through the process of speaking to the police and/or
• Support you through the process of speaking to another organisation listed above and/or
• Put a plan in place to keep you safe on campus.  This could include, if appropriate, supporting you to make a formal complaint should the person you are reporting be another student or a member of staff – and/or
• Offer you a Counselling and Mental Health STAR appointment – and/or
• Offer support, if necessary, with your accommodation
• The University cannot investigate an incident in place of the police

One of the specialist organisations listed above can:

• Arrange for you to have a medical examination and treatment for any injury you may have if you consent to this.
• The police will want to have a conversation with you and record your account of what happened. This will not usually happen at a police station; it may be a video recorded interview at a specialist unit, or at your home address, though you will be asked to give basic details at the first point of contact so the right plan can be put in place to help you. It is important that you feel comfortable in your surroundings as you will only be asked in detail what has taken place once during this recorded conversation so you don’t have to keep repeating the events.
• Give you support and advice and make safeguarding arrangements.
• Explain to you what happens next depending on what it is you have chosen to do and make sure you have contact details so you can contact the officer/ agency support staff dealing with your case whenever you need to.
• May be able to support you with accommodation.
• Advise you what support you will be entitled to if the case were to go to court (there are special measures that can be put in place if you were needed to give evidence, you may not even have to be present in the courtroom).

• Listen to what it is you want to tell us without judgement.
• Help you navigate the option that is right for you.
• Only share the details you have given us with other specific and trained colleagues within the University on a need-to-know basis.  For example, a colleague considering this incident through the student disciplinary process, if appropriate.

Should you wish to report this incident but remain anonymous, you can also use the portal to do this.  You will receive a unique reference number that you can use for the future should you change your mind about getting support from the University.

You may have received some correspondence from the university about a disciplinary process following the university receiving information about your involvement in a sexual misconduct, domestic abuse and/or stalking incident.  If this is the case, you are entitled to receive support from the university should you want it.

If you would like support from Student Services, please e-mail: studentlife@worc.ac.uk if you would like to know what sort of support Student Services can offer, please click here [add firstpoint website link: https://www2.worc.ac.uk/firstpoint/]

If you would like support from the Students’ Union in regards to the disciplinary process, please click here [add in SU help and advice website page: https://www.worcsu.com/helpandadvice/]

Human Resources

All employees can seek confidential support and advice from HR should they be experiencing stalking or have concerns about a colleague who is. HR can advise on potential next steps and signpost to options for emotional and practical support as needed.

Counselling Support

Confidential counselling is available to all employees through the University’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) helpline, provided by PAM Assist. PAM Assist provide a 24-hours a day, 365 days a year confidential counselling telephone helpline (0800 884 4102), which is free and staffed by trained counsellors. Details of any conversations had are not disclosed to anyone at the University. Alternatively, employees can also access other helpful resources on www.pamassist.co.uk or via the PAM Assist app. Further details of the service are available on the HR website

University of Worcester Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Policy

The University believes that every member of the University who is experiencing, or has experienced, Sexual Misconduct or Sexual Harassment should be enabled to seek advice and support from the University. The University is committed to dealing with any such disclosure in a supportive and where possible, confidential manner. The policy can be accessed via this link.