Harassment &
Sexual Misconduct

If you, or someone you know, has experienced harassment and/or sexual misconduct, we can advise you on how to get help and support – while recognising that everyone copes differently with their own experience.

If you are a Falmouth or Fourth Monkey staff member, you can find further information here.

What is harassment and sexual misconduct?

Harassment is when someone’s unwanted conduct violates another’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment because of, or connected to, protected characteristics. This might be a repeated experience or a single experience that impacts more than one person, in person or online.

Our Student Bullying and Harassment Policy is available to read here.

Sexual misconduct is when someone carries out unwanted sexual behaviour towards another person that makes them feel upset, scared, offended or humiliated. This can be a single or repeated experience of unwanted conduct, in person or online.

Our Student Sexual Misconduct Policy is available to read here.

What to do if you experience harassment and/or sexual misconduct

If you experience harassment or sexual misconduct, here are some steps you can take: 

Capture what happened: Write down details of the incident, including dates, times, locations and any witnesses. Keep any evidence, such as emails, texts or social media messages. 
Tell someone: Share your experience with a trusted friend, family member, peer or professional support service. They can offer support and help you decide on the next steps. 
Decide what is best for you: Seek advice, seek support and if you feel it’s right for you, report the incident to the University and/or to the police.
Be informed: Familiarise yourself with your legal rights. For example, under the Equality Act 2010 you’re protected from sexual harassment in the workplace, on public transport and in educational institutions.

If you have witnessed harassment and/or sexual misconduct, report it.

Options to consider

If you’ve experienced sexual assault or rape, there’s no right or wrong way to feel or be. What has happened is not your fault and you're not alone. Your safety and wellbeing are the most important things right now and you can access specialist support, if and whenever you feel ready.

If you'd like to speak to someone immediately

If you would like to speak to someone immediately, we encourage you to contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which is a dedicated service offering free confidential healthcare and compassionate support to anyone who has been subjected to rape or sexual assault. These centres offer medical, practical and emotional support. They have specially trained NHS doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you.

You can refer yourself by calling 0300 303 4626 or by submitting a call back form and they will call you back at a time you specify.

To find out more about the services that SARCs offer, you can watch the NHS video, 'Turn to us, we are here'.

Drink spiking

If you think that you might have had your drink spiked, it’s best to report this to the police as soon as possible. Some drugs can leave the body within 12 hours, so it’s important you get tested as soon as possible. We know it can be scary to report being spiked, but the police are here to help you. They will listen to you and take you seriously.

Emergency contraception

It’s worth considering emergency contraception, which can prevent pregnancy, after unprotected sex (sex without contraception or when contraception might have failed). You need to use emergency contraception within three to five days of having unprotected sex. The sooner you use emergency contraception, the more effective it usually is.

Emergency contraception is available free from NHS sexual health clinics and GP surgeries.

HIV tests

It’s advisable to take an HIV test. You can obtain a test in person or order tests online, with free and paid-for options. Many tests will provide you with a result in just a few minutes. HIV prevention medication should be started within 36 hours.