Lancaster University is committed to ensuring our students can enjoy their studies in a safe environment. This page is intended to share information related to the University's definitions, policies and procedures on student-student and staff-student harassment and sexual misconduct, including intimate personal relationships between staff members and students. It also provides information for our current and prospective students on our approach to preventing and addressing harassment and sexual misconduct.
This webpage serves as our Comprehensive Source of Information required by the Office for Students (OfS registration condition E6).
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Harassment is behaviour or actions that are unwelcome, unwarranted and cause a detrimental effect to wellbeing. Harassment can also apply to a group of people as well as individuals and can include unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct or can be online/facilitated by technology such as social media pages, networking sites, personal web pages, emails, text messages, blogs whether private, personal or public. A list of further examples of harassment can be found in the Student Bullying and Harassment Policy (section 5.7).
Sexual misconduct is an umbrella term used to represent a range of behaviours which can include, but is not limited to, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, ‘revenge porn’ or image-based sexual abuse, indecent exposure, stalking, and coercive and controlling behaviour. It does not necessarily have to occur in person (e.g. this can occur online) and is characterised by an absence of consent. A list of further examples of sexual misconduct can be found in the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy (section 41).
At Lancaster University, we understand how experiences of sexual misconduct and harassment can detrimentally affect someone. We have several support services and reporting options available to help.
Sharing Information about an Incident
It’s important to remember, you do not have to formally report an incident to receive support from university services.
If you choose to share information about an incident, you’ll be able to discuss the details about what happened with an appropriate professional who can offer you relevant information, advice and guidance on support services and reporting processes should you wish to formally report the incident later. This will not automatically start formal procedures. The information you share will be handled sensitively and wherever possible, we will respect the right of the individual disclosing an experience to choose whether and how to take forward a disclosure and make a formal report.
If you want to share information about your experience of harassment or sexual misconduct with the University, you can do so by submitting a Unisafe report. Unisafe allows you to share information yourself, or on behalf of another person and you can choose whether to provide contact details or to report anonymously. Staff can also report on behalf of students. Unisafe is managed by a team of qualified Student Wellbeing professionals who will reach out to you within three working days of your submission with an offer of a follow up in-person or online meeting.
Please be aware that if you choose to report anonymously, we won't have a way of responding to you or offering you direct support.
Out of hours, students who wish to make a disclosure are advised to contact the Security team (01524 510090). You can also disclose any incidents to other members of university staff if this feels more comfortable (for example your College or your academic department/tutor). They can help you to liaise with Student Wellbeing Services who can advise you on how to access appropriate support.
Experiencing harassment or sexual misconduct can be very distressing; the university strongly encourages students to access support available to them either through the University’s internal Student Wellbeing Services, or via external services, all of which are outlined below.
Lancaster University Support Services
Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service (SWISS): The Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service is a specialist service aimed at supporting students who have experienced serious incidents. SWISS offers one-to-one support and advice to current students who have been involved with any serious incident during their time at university. The staff working in SWISS are qualified Sexual Violence Liaison Officers and have skills and training enabling them to provide sensitive, specialist support for students who have experienced harassment and sexual misconduct. You can access this service by submitting a Unisafe report with your contact details and a member of the team will be in touch with an offer of support within 3 working days.
Student Mental Health Service: The Student Mental Health Service is a multi-disciplinary team of Mental Health Practitioners offering a range of short-term interventions dependent upon student need. While the primary offer of the Student Mental Health Service is a single therapy session, further sessions can be made available if required.
Anti-bullying and Harassment Team: The Anti-bullying and Harassment Team is a group of trained staff volunteers who work across the University providing compassionate support to both staff and students. The Anti-bullying and Harassment team can support individuals by signposting them to appropriate internal and external support services.
External Services
Lancaster University Students’ Union (LUSU): The Advice Service at LUSU provides students with impartial, non-judgemental advice and can help you navigate the University's regulations and processes. They can also help put you in touch with other teams and services across the University to make sure that you get the support you need. LUSU also works in partnership with the local police constabulary and Lancashire Victim Services to function as an official Third Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre. This means students and staff can use LUSU to formally file a hate crime report if that is their preference.
The Birchall Trust: an independent charity providing trauma-informed, person-centred counselling for survivors aged 4 and above affected by rape, sexual abuse, or sexualised violence.
Trust House: A charity offering free, confidential counselling and support services for survivors of rape and sexual abuse in Lancashire.
Lancashire Victim Support: a charity that provides free, independent and confidential support to anyone affected by crime and traumatic events.
Experiencing harassment or sexual misconduct can be very distressing, the University strongly encourages staff to access available support. If you are a member of staff who has experienced harassment or sexual misconduct, you can get support from the free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme which can be accessed through the Wellbeing Portal.
External services
The Birchall Trust: An independent charity providing trauma-informed, person-centred counselling for survivors aged 4 and above affected by rape, sexual abuse, or sexualised violence.
Trust House: A charity offering free, confidential counselling and support services for survivors of rape and sexual abuse in Lancashire.
Lancashire Victim Support: a charity that provides free, independent and confidential support to anyone affected by crime and traumatic events.
More information about inclusivity can be accessed on our EDI inclusivity webpages. If you require historic versions of these policies, please contact the policy owner, outlining your request and they’ll be able to share them with you directly. You can find the name of the policy owner on the first page of the relevant policies.
If you have experienced, or witnessed, unacceptable behaviour by a student of Lancaster University, you can report it so that appropriate action can be taken.
If you suspect a Lancaster University student has committed a crime, you should first consider reporting it to the Police. We understand that contacting the Police can itself feel a little intimidating, but the University can provide you with support before, during and after the process.
It is important to understand that a report to the University is not equivalent to making a report to the Police. If you decide to report the incident to the Police after the University has begun its own investigation, it may have a negative impact on a criminal case. It’s therefore important to think as early as you can about whether you wish to report the incident to the Police.
Incidents of sexual misconduct and harassment are considered major breaches of student discipline regulations and students are encouraged to report these to the Student Conduct Office. It is the Student Conduct Office's role to receive complaints of serious misconduct and to determine whether they should be responded to through the University-level process, in accordance with the Student Discipline Regulations.
If the Student Conduct Office decides that a complaint should be considered at University Level, they will first undertake a risk assessment to decide whether any immediate actions are required to mitigate any immediate risks to the reporting and/or reported parties, or any other members of the University community. They will then appoint an Investigating Officer to gather evidence and statements from the reporting and reported student(s), and any witnesses. The Investigating Officer will then prepare a report for presentation to the Board of Discipline.
You can email the Student Conduct Office to make a report at studentconduct@lancaster.ac.uk. The Student Conduct Office will then contact you to talk to you about next steps.
If you’re unsure about whether to make a report, you can discuss your options with the Student Conduct Office informally who are happy to meet and discuss options. Alternatively, you can contact the Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service. They can advise you on your options and support you throughout the disciplinary procedure should you choose to proceed with a report. To contact this service, you can submit a Unisafe report, and they will be in touch within 3 working days with an offer of a follow-up meeting.
Anonymous reporting
Students can make a formal report of sexual misconduct or harassment and remain anonymous. We understand that you may be worried about reporting an incident of sexual misconduct or harassment and therefore, wish to keep your details private during the student discipline process.
While you can report anonymously, the University will be less likely to proceed with formal action based on an anonymous report. You should also be aware that, while the Student Conduct Office is committed to protecting students’ anonymity, when a report is made anonymously, it will sometimes be possible for the reported student to identify who has made the allegations based on the details of the incident.
Every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in their workplace. While incidents of harassment during work placements are exceptionally rare, Lancaster University is unwavering in our commitment to ensuring safety and wellbeing in all professional environments.
Essential preparation
Before commencing any work placement, all students are expected to complete the required training programme: Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct. This important programme equips you with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognise and report any potential incidents.
Reporting an incident that took place on a work placement
We recognise that the prospect of reporting harassment or sexual misconduct during a work placement can feel overwhelming. Please know that while on placement, you are still entitled to support from the Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service (SWISS) who can be contacted through the Unisafe tool.
The Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service provide dedicated, ongoing support for students who have experienced serious incidents, whether they occurred on campus or in external settings. This specialised service offers personalised, one-to-one guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and needs.
The Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service can:
Provide confidential counselling and emotional support
Liaise with the Lancaster University placements team on your behalf
Support you through formal HR reporting processes if you choose to pursue a formal complaint
Offer ongoing support throughout any investigative or resolution process
Accessing support is straightforward: Simply submit a Unisafe report with your contact details and information about the incidents you have experienced. A qualified member of our support team will reach out to you within three working days with an offer of assistance and a follow up meeting.
If you're preparing to begin your study abroad experience, please ensure you complete the required training programme: Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct before departure.
Getting settled at your host university
When you arrive at your host institution, we encourage you to take time to explore and familiarise yourself with their student support services and reporting procedures. Knowing what resources are available will help you feel more confident and prepared should you ever need assistance during your time abroad.
Support when you need it
Your wellbeing remains our priority, even when you're studying internationally. If you experience sexual harassment or misconduct while abroad, please know that support is available to you through multiple channels.
Local support: Your first point of contact should be your host university's reporting processes and internal support services. They are equipped to help and are familiar with local procedures and resources to provide you with appropriate support.
Home university support: We also encourage you to share details of any incidents through Unisafe, either with your contact information or anonymously, as you feel comfortable. Our Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service is here to help you with appropriate next steps and support you to connect with suitable support services.
Accessing support from Lancaster University is straightforward. Simply submit a Unisafe report with information about the incidents you have experienced. If you submit a report with your contact details, a qualified member of our support team will reach out to you within three working days with an offer of assistance and a follow up meeting.
Lancaster University is committed to working with our regional and international partners to ensure that all students being taught on programmes leading to an award of the University are protected through robust policies and processes that prevent and address harassment and sexual misconduct.
Students studying for a Lancaster Award at a regional or international partnership are encouraged to review their local provider’s Comprehensive Source of Information for guidance on support services, training opportunities and reporting processes specific to their setting.
We understand that reporting a member of staff for incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct can seem daunting, but the university has systems in place to support you in doing this. It’s important to remember that you will not be subject to any punishment for making a genuine report against a member of staff.
If you are a student and you want to report a staff member, you can submit a complaint via the Student Complaints process. You can do this by filling out a Student Complaints Form or emailing complaints@lancaster.ac.uk. You can find out more about the complaint procedure.
If you are a staff member and you want to report another member of staff, you can contact the Anti-Harassment and Bullying Team or share information with your line manager who can provide guidance on how to share a report with People and Organisational Effectiveness (the University’s Human Resource division). If this isn’t an appropriate option, you can submit a Unisafe report with your contact details. This will result in a member of the Employee Relations team getting in contact to support you through the reporting process.
If you are reported as being involved with an incident of harassment or sexual misconduct, an investigation may be carried out to determine if you have committed any breaches in student policies and you are expected to work with the University throughout these processes.
A member of the Student Conduct Office will reach out to you to:
Explain what's happening
Answer your questions
Walk you through what comes next for your specific situation
You have the right to a fair, credible investigation that follows proper procedure. You are also entitled to support from the Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service who can be contacted by submitting a Unisafe report with your contact details and sharing details of the incidents you have been reportedly involved with.
If you choose to get support, a team member can:
Give you non-judgmental advice
Support you through police investigations (if they happen)
Connect you with external support services
Liaise with your academic department and other university services like accommodation if that would help
You can also access advice and support from LUSU who can provide impartial, non-judgmental advice. They can also help you navigate the University's regulations and processes.
Accessing support doesn't mean admitting guilt - it means looking after yourself during what can be a very stressful time.
Maintaining confidentiality is a key principle in creating a culture where those affected by harassment and sexual misconduct feel safe to share information about incidents they have experienced. Information received in connection with incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct will be handled sensitively and always used fairly.
The University will take all reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality and privacy of those who share information about harassment and sexual misconduct and will seek to obtain consent to share information with the affected student and to be led by their wishes. However, to ensure a fair investigation that follows proper procedure and reflects the principle of natural justice. the university will have to share some information with a reported party during disciplinary processes (such as the reporting party’s statement.) The Student Conduct Office team can provide information about how sensitive and personal data is used during disciplinary proceedings.
Additionally, there will be circumstances (e.g. to protect an individual at risk) where we are required to share information with selected senior colleagues or other agencies. In these circumstances, consent will only be breached in exceptional cases where there is genuine risk to safety, or where there is a safeguarding or other legal concern. We will follow our protocols on breaching consent and document our decision-making if it is decided that we need to share information.
Personal details will be deleted in line with the University's student data retention policy. For more information about how the University uses and secures your personal data, please visit our Student Privacy Notice.
Lancaster University is committed to ensuring that students are appropriately trained on the topics of harassment and sexual misconduct. This includes:
Understanding what harassment and sexual misconduct are
Knowing how to share information or make a formal report about an incident
Accessing the support available via University or external services
Recognising their responsibility in understanding the meaning of ‘consent’
Learning how to intervene effectively and safely should they witness an incident.
Students are required to complete our digital training programme ‘Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct: Student course’.
Understanding harassment, hate, and sexual misconduct
Being an active bystander
Looking out for friends and peers
Building a safe and inclusive community
This training will be available from August 2025 and will be shared with students in due course.
Additionally, throughout the academic year, Lancaster University seeks to facilitate in-person training opportunities for students to address sexual misconduct and harassment.
All staff are encouraged to complete our ‘Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct: Staff’ course which is split into 4 modules.
Understanding harassment, hate, and sexual misconduct
Responding to disclosures effectively
Next steps
Building a safe and inclusive community
For staff in student-facing roles, this training is designated as mandatory and must be refreshed every three years. This training will be available in August and will be communicated with staff in due course.
Staff involved in specialist roles (such as staff in the Student Wellbeing Incident Support Service and the Student Conduct Officer) receive specialist training appropriate and relevant to their roles.
In line with our Values, the University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students and staff. We are also committed to ensuring that decisions are made free of bias and conflicts of interest.
As such, the University strongly discourages staff and students from entering any personal relationship with one another as it may lead the staff member to compromise the integrity of their professional relationship. Such relationships can lead to a lack of confidence and perceived or actual conflicts of interest, which can have a detrimental effect on the teaching and learning environment for other students and colleagues.
The University also discourages any staff member from having any professional responsibility (assessing, supervising, tutoring, teaching, pastoral care or provision of administrative or technical support) for any student with whom they have a personal or familial relationship.
Lancaster University does not use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in relation to complaints of sexual harassment, abuse, misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying.
Lancaster University is fully committed to the protection and promotion of freedom of speech. This commitment is set out in the University’s Code of Practice which applies to all members, students, staff and invited visitors. As such, we draw your attention to our Code of Practice to help you uphold the institution’s values and expectations in relation to freedom of speech.
We are committed to taking steps that will make a significant and credible difference to protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. These include:
Analysing and publishing data on use of our Unisafe reporting tool, sharing an annual report with the Student Experience Committee.
Building feedback surveys into our online training for students and staff, evaluating the results and working to improve and develop our training provision as appropriate.
Working in partnership with Lancaster University Student’s Union to continue to develop resources, policies and procedures relating to sexual misconduct and harassment.
Evaluating the effectiveness of our current policies, procedures and provisions in response to feedback from students and staff.
