Information about

University Bullying and

Harassment Procedures

Independent Advice, Support and Representation

What can you do if you are feeling bullied or harassed?

If you feel that you are being bullied or harassed in any way then please don’t hesitate

to come and speak to us in the Students’ Union about it. We can help you follow this

procedure and/or we can also offer you a confidential space to talk about your

situation with someone who will not make any judgements or take any action that you

are not completely happy with.

The University has a policy on Bullying and Harassment which all registered students

are able to use if they feel that they are experiencing bullying or harassment by any

other individual within the University including Students or Staff.

If a student feels that bullying and/or harassment has occurred on a placement

involving placement staff or their clients a student need to follow the relevant

procedures and policies of that host institution or organisation. Please get in touch

with the Students’ Union Advisor for more information on this – alternatively if you

are a member of a teaching Union then they can also help here.

What might bullying and harassment include?

Harassment can be defined as ‘any act or conduct which is unwanted and offensive,

hostile, malicious, threatening, demeaning or is considered conduct which could violate

another’s dignity causing the recipient to feel humiliated, embarrassed, alarmed,

distressed, tormented, excluded or withdrawn. Incitement to commit any of the above

could also constitute harassment.’

Bullying could be defined as: ‘the persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating, malicious

or insulting behaviour that undermines the confidence and capabilities of an individual.

Bullying and harassment could include:

• Threats, written, verbal (by face or telephone) or electronic.

• Behaviour that causes distress to a victim e.g. silent phone calls, the giving of

unwanted or inappropriate gifts.

• Verbal and / or written abuse, innuendoes or insults.

• Damaging a victim’s property.

• Display of offensive material (posters, signs, graffiti, flags etc).

• Using offensive language or obscene gestures.

• Use of physical violence.

• Invasion of personal space, recognising that the definition of personal space can

differ with different cultures.

• Unwarranted or invalid criticism.

• Setting unrealistic or unfair goals, which the bully knows are unreasonable

and/or unachievable.

• Constant undervaluing of the recipient’s contribution.

• Belittling, demeaning, humiliating or patronising the recipient in front of others.

• Blaming the recipient for another’s mistake.

• Constantly reminding the recipient of any failures in the past.

• The bully not talking to the recipient; the only communication being in writing.

• Treating someone differently from others for no reason.

• Excessive supervision making the recipient feel undervalued and inadequate.

Essentially, in considering what may or may not be bullying and/or harassment the

University uses the test of ‘reasonableness’ - would a reasonable person in possession

of the same information feel that the alleged conduct or behaviour constituted

harassment?

What to do if you think you are being bullying or harassed

If you feel that you, or someone you know, is being bullied or harassed then it’s

important to take action quickly. You can contact the students Union Advice staff

member Trish Lee using the contact details on the back of this information sheet and

she can talk your situation through with you and discuss some of the options available.

Any discussion will be confidential and you won’t be placed under any pressure to take

any action that you’re not comfortable with

Contacting the Advice Service

If you would like any further information, would like to arrange

an appointment or want to speak to a Students’ Union

Advice Service staff member then contact:

Students’ Union Student Advisor: Trish Lee

Telephone: 01524 526576

email: suadvice@cumbria.ac.uk

You can also drop in to your local Students’ Union Office on

each main Campus to speak to the Student Advisor in person,

on the telephone or to arrange a suitable appointment.

If you’d prefer it you can arrange an online chat with the

Student Advisor on MSN Messenger (Mon-Fri 10am- 4pm)

email: suadvice@cumbria.ac.uk to arrange an appointment.

Why not visit the Advice Service section of the Students’ Union

website to see what other information and advice we can offer?

www.thestudentsunion.org.uk/advice

If you would like this document in an

alternative format please contact Trish Lee

On Tel:01524 526576 or

e-mail:suadvice@cumbria.ac.uk