Dealing with Bullying and Harrassment
Tackling the problem
Student Misconduct
What should you do if you wish to make a complaint?
Informal complaints
Formal complaints
This guide should be used by students to help put a stop to all forms of bullying and harassment occurring within the context of their studentship, and involving allegations against other members of the University (students or staff).
Other guidance should be followed if the alleged perpetrator is an individual or agency outside of Canterbury Christ Church University (eg a placement provider, a landlord etc) and further information on this is available from the Student Support Services or (in the case of bullying on placement whilst on a professional programme) from your departmental office.
Complaints of bullying or harassment will be treated seriously and investigated within the context of the University’s policies and procedures. Disciplinary action can be taken in cases where bullying and harassment are proved to have occurred. However, disciplinary action can also be taken against anyone proved to have made a false and malicious allegation against another member of the University.
NB In cases where there is an allegation of a criminal offence, this must be immediately reported to the police. In such cases, the University can take no action (other than suspension of a student by the Vice Chancellor, where this is deemed necessary) until the outcome of any criminal investigation is known. Further details are given under Section 9 of the University’s Student Disciplinary Procedures.
The Student Disciplinary Procedures identify a number of behaviours which you should be aware might constitute misconduct by students, and which include, amongst others:
violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or language whilst on University premises or engaged in any University activity, including that committed by electronic means using email from a University account or other account accessed via the University network;
harassment of any kind, including sexual or racial harassment of any student, member of staff or other employee of the University or any authorised visitor to the University, including that committed by electronic or other remote means.
(See Section 2.2.2 of the Student Disciplinary Procedures)
What should you do if you wish to make a complaint?
There are various ways in which individuals can deal with bullying or harassment. The approach taken can be either informal or formal, but you will need to consider which is likely to be the most effective way to put a stop to any inappropriate behaviour as quickly as possible. In many cases this will mean choosing an informal route to begin with.
Ideally, you should try to keep a record of all incidents so that you are clear about what happened, when, where, and whether anyone else was there. Such records will be particularly useful if it becomes necessary to take more formal action. Initially, you might wish to try one, or all, of the following.
Talk to the person who is bullying or harassing you, tell them about the behaviour that is causing you distress, and ask for it to stop. Do this as soon as possible. In some cases, the person may be unaware that their behaviour is inappropriate or objectionable, or it may be that their words or actions have been misinterpreted. In such cases, the misunderstanding needs to be cleared up speedily. Even where the behaviour was intentional, a swift and clear indication that it is objectionable may prove sufficient for it to stop.
Ask someone else (for example, a friend, someone from the Students’ Union, a course tutor, your Personal Tutor or someone from Student Support Services) to go with you to speak to the person, and act as a mediator to try and help resolve matters.
Write to the person against whom you have a complaint, being specific about what offends you, and asking for the behaviour to stop. Be polite but firm in any correspondence and keep a copy of the letter in case any further action is necessary.
Ask a member of staff (for example, a course tutor, your Personal Tutor or someone from Student Support Services) if s/he is prepared to take up the matter on your behalf.
If your complaint cannot be resolved informally, or if you believe informal action to be inappropriate (for instance, if the misconduct is serious or persistent), you may wish to contact Student Support Services, or consult the Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures, for advice.
Formal complaints should be made in writing. If the complaint is being made against a member of staff, then it should be addressed to the member of staff's Head of Department. Similarly, if the complaint is about a student, it is their Head of Department who will deal with this matter.
The Head of Department will then investigate the formal complaint. It is likely that the investigation will include asking the complainant and any witnesses to the alleged incident(s) to attend for interview or to submit a signed statement.
Complainants may ask another member of the University (for example, a friend, member of staff or someone from the Students’ Union), to accompany them to any interview.
On the basis of any interviews and statements received, the Head of Department will then decide whether or not further action should be taken and, if necessary, follow the process set out in the Staff Disciplinary Procedures or the Student Disciplinary Procedures, as appropriate.
It is important to remember that, if the formal procedures are enacted, the subject of any complaint will eventually come to know both the nature of the complaint and the identity of the person making it. If you wish to bring a formal complaint, you will need to appreciate that this will happen at some stage during the process.
If you wish to have further information on the Student Procedures, or what you might do to tackle bullying and harassment, the Students’ Union Welfare Office is a useful source of initial advice and support for students.
