Call It Out
Did you know that 62% of students and graduates have experienced sexual misconduct whilst at university in the UK?
Sexual misconduct is an umbrella term for any misconduct of a sexual nature, including sexual harassment.
When we talk about sexual harassment, we often have a very narrow definition of what it might involve.
Sexual harassment is not just about physical touching or groping - the term can also be applied to any unwanted and persistent behaviour of a sexual nature such as stalking.
Sexual misconduct is often perpetrated against an individual without their consent or where there is a power imbalance.
No matter what the situation is, sexual harassment is never ok and it is not your fault.
The University of Wolverhampton Students' Union is committed to tackling all forms of harassment.
We are independent from the University and local authorities, and here to support you.
Our advice is non-judgmental and aims to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about the options available.
The advice service will support you through reporting of an incident – either to the University through Conduct and appeals or to the local authorities.
Internal contacts:
- Student Support and Wellbeing team are available to meet with you and discuss support available to you.
- Weekly drop ins from PCSOs – Mondays and Wednesdays in the SU reception 12-2.
External Contacts:
Attend an active bystander training session offered by the university, this will give students and staff members the skills they need to challenge harassment when they witness it.
It is important to note that in an emergency, Security staff or bar staff should be the first recourse of action in a licenced premises.
Police can be contacted on 999 if someone is in immediate danger of being assaulted.
When on a night out, bars and licenced premises up and down the country have implemented the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign.
‘If you go to the bar and ask for ‘Angela’ the bar staff will know you need some help getting out of your situation and will call you a taxi or help you out discreetly – without too much fuss.’
If a date has gone wrong or you feel in danger or uncomfortable with the person you have met with, asking for Angela at the bar will help get you out of the situation.
Advice for persons encountering sexual misconduct
If you witness a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable; such as physical misconduct, inappropriate jokes, leering, staring or any inappropriate or offensive behaviour, you can intervene in different ways – either at the time of the event or afterwards.
Intervention is not limited to stopping the incident but also creating safer more welcoming cultures; if you chose to act after the event it does not make your actions any less impactful. Any intervention creates a positive impact and encourages and empowers others to become active bystanders.
DIRECT
- Intervene directly to stop a situation; this could be confronting a perpetrator or checking if the person being harassed is ok. You should only intervene once you have assessed the situation to ensure your personal safety.
DISTRACT
- If you don't feel comfortable in intervening directly, you can diffuse the situation through indirect action, for example distracting the perpetrator so the person being harassed can leave.
DELEGATE
- Don't feel like you need to act alone. There are a lot of trained people to support and prevent harassment on campus. You can delegate to Campus Security, the advice and representation information point coordinator or adviser. You can delegate at the time or after the event.
DELAYED
- If it isn't possible to intervene at the time, or if intervention would compromise your safety, you can still act after the event, it does not make your actions any less impactful.