How to access support if you have been affected by sexual misconduct, domestic abuse and/or stalking

Reporting to the Police:

• 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.

Don’t want to report to the police right now or haven’t made your mind up yet?

• Sexual Assault: You can go to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) without talking to the police first. At a SARC, they can store any forensic evidence that they collect. If you do choose to report to the police in the future, they will be able to use this evidence.
• You can find your local Sexual Assault Referral Centre using this link: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health-services/find-a-rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centre
• Domestic Abuse: Women can call Refuge 24/7 on 08082000247 and Men can call Men’s Advice Line Monday – Friday 10am – 8pm on 08088010327. If you identify as LGBTQ+ you can also call Galop on 08009995428 please check the website for opening hours: https://www.galop.org.uk/helpline
• If you want to discuss this with someone at the University, you can contact firstpoint Monday – Friday on 01905 542551, e-mail them on firstpoint@worc.ac.uk, or pop in to the Peirson Building on St. Johns Campus. Opening hours can be found on their webpages: www.worc.ac.uk/firstpoint. Outside of these hours you can call Security on 01905 855000 or e-mail them on Security@worc.ac.uk

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.
• You can access support from the University through this portal if you would like help contacting the police or to discuss your options.
• Alternatively, you can contact firstpoint Monday – Friday on 01905 542551, e-mail them on firstpoint@worc.ac.uk, or pop in to the Peirson Building on St. Johns Campus. Opening hours can be found on their webpages: www.worc.ac.uk/firstpoint. Outside of these hours you can call Security on 01905 855000 or e-mail them on Security@worc.ac.uk

If you contact the Police, 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

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 who will listen to what it is you want to tell us without judgement. They will help you navigate the option that is right for you;
• Support you through the process of speaking to the police or other organisations listed above if you chose to do so;
• 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;
• Offer you a Counselling and Mental Health STAR appointment;
• Offer support, if necessary, with your accommodation
• The University cannot investigate an incident in place of the police
• 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.
• If you notify us of an incident anonymously, we are unable to reach out to offer support and in most instances cannot act upon the information you have given us. 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 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.

If you would like support from the Students’ Union in regards to the disciplinary process, please click here.

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.