SVM policy

This policy covers all incidents of sexual violence and misconduct and applies to all members of our University community. ‘Sexual misconduct’ means any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which occurred in person or by letter, telephone, text, email or other electronic means and/or social media and includes, but is not limited to:

• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
• Rape (definition included in the Sexual Offences Act 2003)

Sexual violence and misconduct covers a wide range of behaviours. You can find out more about examples of sexual violence on our sexual violence information and support webpage.

The University has made a number of commitments and has set out a range of expectations:

• We are committed to providing an environment which upholds dignity and respect and is free from discrimination.
• We are committed to providing a supportive environment where students and staff feel confident and empowered to disclose, will be listened to, and can understand the options available to them.  
• We will deliver awareness raising campaigns regarding consent, harassment and SVM, ensuring students and staff are aware of support and reporting routes. 
• We will ensure our awareness raising activities, policies and code of practice make clear that sexual misconduct is not tolerated. 
• We will ensure individuals are supported to report sexual misconduct. This includes through external organisations such as the Police.  
• We will ensure reported parties also have access to support, ensuring those who are alleged to have breached University Policy are treated fairly. 
• We will respect the rights of the individual disclosing an instance of sexual misconduct to choose how to take forward a disclosure. In certain circumstances, such as where we have a safeguarding duty, we may disclose information to the relevant authorities such as the Police. A full assessment of risk will always be conducted in these circumstances. Further information can be found in the University’s Safeguarding Policy.
• We will ensure all reports are carefully and sensitively addressed by trained staff members. For staff specifically involved in the subsequent process they will ensure that it is a transparent process and clearly communicated to all involved. They should adopt a trauma-informed and victim led approach and provide support to all students or staff involved in the process.  
• We will ensure all parties involved in a case will be treated fairly and have access to appropriate support.  
• We will raise awareness of appropriate support and organisations to support students and staff have been affected by SVM.  
• We will provide students and staff with the tools to speak up and address inappropriate behaviour where it is safe to do so by providing training, accessible online resources and clear reporting channels.  
• We will work preventatively to help students understand consent and will take an educative approach to tackling sexual violence and misconduct. 
• We will never ask an affected staff member or student to sign a non-disclosure agreement in relation to SVM.

Students can access a range of support within the University, including our dedicated specialist Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) and Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer (DALO) teams. These teams can provide advice and support, facilitate referrals to additional services (with your consent), and help you to explore your reporting options if this is something you would like to do.

Students can also access support from:

• Student Experience and Support Officer Team
• Counselling and Mental Health Support
• 24/7 Out of Hours Support, including our Student Assistance Programme
• Advice and Support at KeeleSU (independent from the University)

Staff members can access support through their line manager, Health Assured and the Wisdom App,  Human Resources, Occupational Health and external specialist providers.
 
Support is also available through local and national services, including:

• Rape Crisis
• Survive (Staffordshire Women's Aid)
• Ascend Recovery Service (North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust)
• Victim Support

Confidentiality will be maintained, where possible, throughout the application of this policy and associated procedures and includes disclosure, reporting and investigative processes in recognition of the sensitive nature of sexual violence and misconduct.

In exceptional circumstances, including where a risk assessment finds that there is a risk of harm to a child or adult at risk, and/or a serious risk of harm to the reporting party and/or the wider community, the University may be bound by law to report the incident to a relevant external authority. Please see the University Safeguarding Policy and Privacy Notices for more information.

Throughout all proceedings, the University will act in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act (2018).

If you have experienced sexual violence and misconduct by another member of the University community, it is completely your decision whether to make a formal report to request the University to investigate. You can access support from the University regardless of whether you choose to make a formal report or not. You may want to speak with a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) to help you to understand your reporting options - your Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) can support you through every step of the process.

Once a formal report is made, the University can begin to investigate. The University will carry out all investigations into formal reports of sexual violence and misconduct with diligence and sensitivity. All student disciplinary cases involving an allegation of sexual violence and misconduct will be investigated under Regulation B1 following the process outlined in the Student Non-Academic Discipline Code of Practice. Where appropriate, allegations against staff members will be investigated in accordance with the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Staff Procedure or appropriate Staff Disciplinary and Appeals Procedure.

There are a range of related policies and procedures, which you can access from our Policy Zone:

• Regulation B1: Student Discipline
• Code of Practice for Non-Academic Student Misconduct 
• Regulation B5: Fitness to Practise
• Safeguarding Policy
• Bullying, Harassment and Victimisation Policy
• Dignity and Respect Policy Statement and Procedure for a Member of Staff to Raise a Complaint of Bullying or Harassment
• Disciplinary and Appeals Procedure for Academic Staff
• Disciplinary and Appeals Procedure for Staff
• Personal Relationships Policy and Procedure
• Keele University Data Protection Policy
• Keele University Privacy Notice
• Freedom of Expression Code of Practice