Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Harassment and sexual misconduct are defined in the University’s Policy on Student Harassment and Sexual or Physical Misconduct as follows:

“Harassment” is unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment as defined by the Equality Act 2010.  This includes harassment by association or perception.

“Sexual Misconduct” relates to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Sexual harassment as defined by Section 26(2) Equality Act 2010.

• Assault as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

• Rape as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Physical unwanted sexual advances as set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission: Sexual harassment and the law, 2017.

• Intimidation or promising resources or benefits in return for sexual favours as set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission: Sexual harassment and the law, 2017.

• Distributing private and personal explicit images or video footage of an individual without their consent as defined by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

At UEA, we refer to “sexual misconduct” in our investigative processes, rather than using criminal justice language such as “rape” or “sexual assault”.

This language is in no way a reflection of how serious a behaviour is, nor how seriously we are taking it. What has been reported to us may also constitute a criminal offence.

We use "misconduct" because, unlike the criminal justice system, we lack the authority to make a finding of crime. Our investigative powers and disciplinary processes seek to establish whether our rules have been broken.

See our Report + Support pages for further information on What are Bullying and Harassment? and What is Sexual Misconduct?

Taking steps to Protect Students