Help is available if you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct on campus or on university business.
What is sexual misconduct?
Sexual misconduct is any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that is committed without consent, by force, intimidation or coercion. Sexual misconduct can happen to anyone; it can be committed by a person of any gender and can occur between people of the same or different gender; it can happen within personal relationships as well as between strangers. Such behaviour may also constitute a criminal offence. It may, but does not have to, involve misuse of institutional power or raise issues of unequal relationships.
Some examples of sexual misconduct are: sexual intercourse or engaging in a sexual act without consent, or attempting to do so; touching inappropriately or kissing without consent; grooming; sexual harassment; making sexual invitations or demands; sharing private sexual material of another person; name-calling or jokes about sex or gender; public display of offensive material including online.
The University and The Students’ Union at UWE have a joint statement on sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Consent
Consent is mutual and free choice, and can never be assumed. You can only give free agreement when you’re capable of doing so. Things that can impact on your ability to give consent are:
- being the right age
- being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- not being conscious
- not understanding what you’re consenting to
- being threatened or afraid of harm
- being detained against your will
This Tea and Consent video explains more about consent.