Speak Up – report Abuse, Harm or Hate
David Game Higher Education is proud to be a safe, welcoming and diverse community – our staff, students and anyone interacting with us should feel comfortable being who they are.
We believe that harassment, sexual misconduct, bullying and discrimination are never okay. Any allegations of this nature (which includes sexual violence, abuse or hate) are taken very seriously. This includes drink spiking (putting drugs or alcohol in someone’s drink without their consent), and needle spiking (injecting someone with drugs without their consent).
We aim to create an inclusive study/workplace where everyone is treated fairly and with respect, where we feel valued and have a sense of belonging; a culture where it is safe to speak up and speak out and where we are empowered to grow and realise our full potential. All students and staff have a responsibility to respect the feelings, inclinations, cultural, religious and belief differences of others, and be aware of how their behaviour could be perceived.
By reporting an incident, you are helping us to maintain our friendly and safe college culture, where everyone can study, work and live free from any form of harassment.
These procedures should not stop or delay any report to the police. To report a crime in an emergency dial 999, for the reporting of non-emergency incidents dial 101 or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111.
When a student reports an incident relating to harassment and/or sexual misconduct, the College has not, and will not, impose any non-disclosure restrictions upon them. We do, however, encourage students to access appropriate support regarding any incidents (as detailed below).
Policies – all relevant policies can be accessed via this link.
All of our policies adhere to the principles of creating an inclusive and respectful environment, identifying sources of support for all parties and ensuring decisions are made which are credible, fair, and reflect established principles of natural justice.
Confidentiality for parties involved is protected where appropriate, potential risks are assessed and mitigated, investigations are undertaken by appropriately trained, impartial staff (or other appropriately trained impartial persons from outside the college if necessary) and persons affected by decisions are informed in an appropriate manner.
The policy followed will be the version current at time of incident being reported (rather than at time incident occurred, should there be a delay between occurrence and reporting of incident).
How can I receive immediate support?
If an incident has just occurred and you are not in a safe place, feel at risk, or have any injuries requiring urgent attention, call the emergency services on 999.
If you are on the college premises, call Security on 07764 738 488.
SARC – If you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted, you can visit a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for medical and practical support such as advice on pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and other support – even if you do not want to go to the police or make a report to the college you can speak to these services confidentially.
Support available for men and boys who have been assaulted
24/7, 365 days a year Assistance Programmes for students via Student Hub
TogetherAll: join anonymously using your DGHE college email address for 24/7 peer-to-peer support
Student Assistance Programme (SAP) and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) via Health Aware, including WISDOM App can offer support such as counselling, and preliminary legal advice (see AWS Advice and Wellbeing Service on Student Hub).
How can I report an incident?
Use our Speak up Reporting Tool to report any of the following types of incidents that have taken place on or off campus (including placement providers):
- bullying or harassment
- hate incidents
- relationship or domestic abuse
- sexual assault
- sexual harassment
- violence or harm
Bullying or harassment
Often identified as intimidating, malicious, offensive or intimidating behaviour by one or more individuals. It may involve words, physical actions or general conduct. It can also include abuse or misuse of power.
Hate incidents
The term ‘hate incident’ can be used to describe a range of criminal behaviours where the alleged perpetrator is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards the alleged victim’s disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender status.
Relationship or domestic abuse
An incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence by a partner, ex-partner, family member or carer. It can include coercive control, psychological or emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse, harassment and stalking and online or digital abuse.
Sexual assault
A person commits sexual assault if they intentionally touch another person, the touching is sexual and the person does not consent. It involves all unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature and ranges from pinching, embracing, groping and kissing, to rape and serious sexual assault.
Sexual harassment
When someone behaves in a way that makes you feel distressed, intimidated or offended and the behaviour is of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include: sexual comments or jokes, physical behaviour, including unwelcome sexual advances and touching.
Violence or harm
Violence is an act of physical force that causes or is intended to cause harm (where someone’s physical or mental health is impaired).
Who can use the reporting tool?
This reporting tool is for:
- staff
- students
- volunteers
- college contractors
- anyone else outside the college who interacts with our staff and students.
The tool also provides you with an opportunity to report an incident on behalf of someone else. Sometimes it isn’t safe to assume that the person affected will choose to report the incident, so please use the reporting tool if you notice anything that you feel should be brought to our attention.
Will I be identifiable if I choose to report?
You can report incidents anonymously or choose to provide your contact details.
See ‘What happens after I report an incident’ and ‘How will you use the information I provide’ below for more information about the different ways of reporting.
If you are reporting on behalf of someone else, you will not have the opportunity to leave contact details for the person affected by the incident.
What happens after I report an incident
Reporting anonymously
If you choose to report anonymously, we will not be able to take further action with your case specifically, but this information will help us to identify any trends for our proactive work in preventing bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Submitting your name and contact details
If you do not choose to report anonymously, and provide contact details when requested, you will be contacted within three working days (not including weekends and public holidays) so that we can start to look into your case further.
How will you use the information I provide?
Reporting anonymously
If you make an anonymous report, the college will use the information you submit as follows:
- The information you provide in this report will remain confidential.
- It is not possible to identify any individuals from the data collected in this form.
- We use anonymous reports for monitoring and data purposes, which is used to monitor trends and to inform our proactive and preventative work in tackling harassment, bullying and discrimination.
- The college uses the information you provide to help us to better understand what kind of incidents are taking place within our community.
Submitting your name and contact details
If you make a report and include your personal details, the college will use them as follows:
- The information you provide in this report will remain confidential.
- If you are submitting a named report, you will be contacted, provided with support and signposted to specific support services.
- We will not disclose any personal or identifiable information to others without your consent unless there is a legal requirement for us to do so or we believe that you, or someone else, is at serious or imminent risk of harm.
For further information on how the college handles your personal data please see the relevant privacy notice.