Staffordshire University and Staffordshire University Students’ Union
Our Commitment
In September 2022, Staffordshire University signed a national pledge not to use Non-Disclosure Agreements for complaints about sexual harassment and bullying. This pledge is part of The University’s commitment in supporting survivors and providing a safe environment for all.
We are focused on taking all necessary steps to ensure a safe environment that is free from sexual misconduct and violence, in which the rights and dignity of all members of our university community are valued and respected.
We recognise the devastating impact that Sexual misconduct and Violence can have on Individuals, their supporters and University communities. This is an issue being experienced across Higher Education and wider society. We take this point very seriously and firmly commit ourselves to the promotion of a culture in which any incident of sexual misconduct and violence will not be tolerated, will be actively challenged, and will be addressed to ensure a positive, safe environment for all members of our community.
Our community expects that all interpersonal relationships and interactions will be grounded upon mutual respect, open communication, and clear consent. Community members are expected to take an active role in upholding our collective commitment and in promoting the inherent dignity of all individuals.
Unacceptable Behaviours
Sexual misconduct and violence covers a broad range of inappropriate, unwanted, behaviours. It also extends to unwanted touching, stalking, abusive or degrading remarks and across the vast range of inappropriate behaviour in between but with the common thread of disregard of informed consent.
Sexual misconduct and violence is any kind of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, which is intended to or has the effect of:
- violating your dignity
- making you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated
- creating a hostile or offensive environment.
It can be any kind of unwanted sexual activity, which does not always include physical contact. For example:
- revenge porn
- sending emails with a sexual content
- making unwanted sexual comments or jokes
- physical behaviour including unwanted sexual advances or touching
- sexual abuse
- rape
You don’t have to have previously objected to someone's behaviour for it to be considered unwanted.
You can find out more about consent on our consent webpage
Support for Sexual Violence Survivors
Anyone can experience Sexual misconduct and/or violence or abuse, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, class or other personal characteristics
Members of our community who have experienced sexual violence are encouraged to contact the University’s Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) team.
The team has been created to provide a caring, holistic ‘wrap-around’ service for survivors of Sexual Misconduct and/or Violence and the wider University community. The team are in place to provide the following services:
- Immediate and ongoing care and support: referrals to mental health, wellbeing and medical services; safety planning; academic and workplace adjustments; self-care resources; advocacy; navigating resources, Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
- Assistance with reporting and complaints: assistance in making an informed decision about next steps should an individual choose to report to authorities within the university or to the police.
- Provision of information: provision of up-to-date community resource information.
- Education: delivery of education, prevention, training, and awareness activities with campus partners.
The important thing to remember if you or someone else has experienced sexual violence, no matter where you were, what you were doing, what you were wearing, what you were saying, if you were drunk or under the influence of drugs, it was not your fault; you are not to blame.
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 for emergency services
Campus Safety and Security Service
You can get in touch with our security control room by telephone or email:
You can report any incident of sexual misconduct and violence, whether recent or historical, whether this happened to you whilst at Staffordshire University or before coming to university with contact details or anonymously through Report + Support
Sexual Violence Liaision Officer (SVLO) team can be contacted directly - Email: svlo@staffs.ac.uk