Preventing and addressing harassment and sexual misconduct

Kingston University is a diverse and vibrant learning community where everyone has a shared responsibility for creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment. We want everyone working and studying at Kingston University to have a positive experience where they are accepted as their authentic selves and treated with respect.

Our work to prevent and address harassment and sexual misconduct includes having the right support in place for those who have witnessed or experienced discriminatory, bullying or other unwanted behaviours, plus clear formal and informal reporting options for staff and students.

Kingston's commitment

We are committed to building an inclusive and supportive environment with a culture of acceptance without exception. We stand against all forms of sexual violence and fully endorse the anti-racism pledge.

Every member of our community has the right to be treated with respect at all times. We expect everyone to behave respectfully and with consideration for others, both on, and off, campus. We do not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct and all allegations will be taken extremely seriously.

What is harassment and sexual misconduct?

Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient (adapted from ACAS).

Harassment is unwanted conduct affecting the dignity of people in their place of work or study (based on ACAS definition).

Sexual misconduct refers to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.

Unwanted conduct may be related to any personal characteristic of the individual, and may be persistent or an isolated incident. The key is that the actions or comments are viewed as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient.

How to report: informal routes

Harassment or sexual misconduct can have a significant negative impact upon your life, if you experience or witness any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable, report it. (Please note links redirect to internal webpages that require a Kingston log-in.)

The Harassment Contact Scheme

Harassment Contacts are trained staff members who have volunteered to help by listening to you and identifying how you can seek further assistance. The scheme provides informal and confidential support to both staff and students who experience bullying or harassment at university.

The Harassment Contact Scheme is for listening, support and signposting, it does not form part of the University's formal complaints or disciplinary procedures.

Report and Support

Report and Support is an online reporting platform. You can access helpful information, report anonymously or with contact information and receive the support you need.

If you are unsure about the correct procedure to follow or want to speak to someone about your concerns, the Union of Kingston Students offers impartial and expert advice.

How to report: formal reporting routes and University policy

Staff: If you are a staff member and wish to inform the University of suspected bullying and harassment by another staff member, please visit the Harassment and Bullying Policy page on Staffspace.

Students: Should you wish to inform the University of suspected bullying or harassment by a member of staff and expect action to be taken, please use the Student Complaints Procedure.

If the allegations concern another student, please refer to the Student Conduct and Behaviour Procedure.

If you are unsure about the correct procedure to follow or want to speak to someone about your concerns, the Union of Kingston Students offers impartial and expert advice.

(Please note links redirect to internal webpages that require a Kingston log-in)

Staff and Students: Kingston's personal relationship policy

Support

Information on the University's safeguarding commitment and policy can be found here.

A wide variety of support is available to staff and students via the University and Union of Kingston Students, for more information please visit MyKingston.

There is a range of external support available, including:

  • Nightline - Peer support from students from 6pm to 8am during term time - 020 7631 0101
  • Samaritans - 116 123
  • Get Connected - The Mix (support for under 25's) - 0808 808 4994
  • Papyrus (support for under 35's) - 0800 068 41 41
  • SupportLine - 01708 765200
  • Victim Support - free 24/7 National Support line and Live chat options. 08 08 16 89 11
  • The Havens - specialist London centres for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. 0203 299 6900

Urgent support

Call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life, violence or other emergency.

You can contact campus security on 020 8417 6666 where appropriate.

Kingston University's Harassment Contact Scheme

Created by Laina Deene, Kingston University graduate 2021.