Expect respect.

We believe that we all have a part to play in creating inclusive and welcoming campuses, free from harassment. We can take positive action in a number of ways to educate ourselves, reflect on our own behaviour and challenge the behaviour of others.

Expect Respect Online Module

Completing our online training for Expect Respect will help you understand and stand up against harassment and discrimination of any kind. 

I Matter

At Canterbury Christ Church we acknowledge the invaluable and positive contributions that our Black students and staff make to our learning and working environment. Canterbury Christ Church University is committed to raising Black voices and ensuring that Black students and staff know that they matter to us and are calling all Black students and staff to take part in the I MATTER campaign.

Pledge to be an ally

To show your commitment to tackling racism and working towards a society in which our diversity is celebrated and racial inequalities are eradicated, you can make a pledge. This is support by allyship workshops for both students and staff

Learn about consent

Promoting positive relationships is part of our expect respect campaign and this includes encouraging everyone to fully understand sexual consent.

Consent means that you make a choice to do something, and that you have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.

Sexual consent means a person willingly agrees to have sex or engage in a sexual activity – and they are free and able to make their own decision. Making sure you get and give consent before having any kind of sex with another person (or people) really matters. Sex without consent is rape or sexual assault.

Resources

The Library has a range of resources accessible to both students and staff including a Black Lives Matter reading list and  Black History 365 playlist on the Box of Broadcasts.

Staff development

The University provides an extensive and diverse development programme including virtual workshops and events on accessibility, understanding unconscious bias, conversations about race and addressing microaggressions. On the e-learning portal there are also online modules on Equality and Diversity Essentials and Understanding Race Bias. 

Find out more with Report + Support

Learn what harassment means and how to look after yourself and others if you feel that you may have been affected by discrimination, bullying and harassment, relationship abuse and sexual harassment.

We believe that sexual violence, sexual harassment, relationship abuse, bullying, harassment and hate crime are never OK and we want you to feel confident that reporting of any incidents at CCCU will be taken seriously.

• In an emergency - if you are in immediate danger or need to report a crime you should always call 999.
• If it is not an emergency, you can contact University Security on 01227 782111 or through the Safezone App.
• All students and staff can also report something either anonymously or with contact details via our online report+support tool. If you provide your name, one of our advisers will be in contact within 3 working days. If you have witnessed or experienced bullying or harassment, we are here to support you. 

SafeZone is a safety app that Canterbury Christ Church University is making available to all its students and staff at all its campuses. The app allows you to alert University Security if you ever need urgent assistance, first aid or if you have an emergency while on campus via your mobile phone. The SafeZone app and safety support are here to help.

Staff have a right and a duty to raise any matters of concern which they may have. This should normally be through their line manager but in circumstances where this is not appropriate they may approach the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development in confidence. Please see the Whistle Blowing Policy.

If you have witnessed, been impacted by or experienced harassment, we are here to support you.

Support for Students

• Student Support Advisers - our service is free, impartial, non-judgemental and confidential. We offer support, advice and guidance to students on a wide range of personal matters. You can contact us in our advice centre in Augustine House, Canterbury by calling 01227 782675 or emailing studentsupport@canterbury.ac.uk. Our drop in times are spread across our campuses, throughout the week, and appointments are available on request.

• Mental Wellbeing Team - our Student Mental Health Practitioners can offer confidential support to students who are experiencing emotional difficulties. Email mentalwellbeing@canterbury.ac.uk for more information or if you would like to arrange an appointment.

Support for Staff

• CIC employee support - CiC offers you access to 24/7/365 independent and completely confidential employee assistance, support and advice services.

Support for Students and Staff

• The Chaplaincy Confidential Listening Service - offers a safe space where any student can discuss their problems in a non-judgmental environment. You set the agenda, and can talk about everything and anything that might be on your mind. Contact us by email on chaplaincy@canterbury.ac.uk to find out more.
  
  
• TogetherAll - provides a safe space online to explore your feelings and learn how to improve and self-manage your mental health and wellbeing. You can make use of a range of therapies, psycho-educational materials, self-assessment tools, group and peer support.

• Report + Support - our Report + Support pages cover what we mean when we talk about harassment as well as how you can support yourself and others. Here you can find tailored support relating to discrimination, bullying and harassment, relationship abuse and sexual harassment.

If you want to talk to someone outside the University or out of hours:

Through a partnership with both East Kent Rape Crisis Centre and Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Service we can offer specialist support for survivors of sexual violence or domestic abuse. You can book an appointment with a Domestic Abuse Outreach Worker 10-10.30am on Wednesdays and/or with an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) 12-2pm on Thursdays. Email report.support@canterbury.ac.uk for more information or to book.

• Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) - provide a safe space and dedicated care, through the NHS, for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.  SARCs offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. They can also arrange access to an independent sexual violence advisor, as well as referrals to mental health support and voluntary sector sexual violence support services.
• Rising Sun: 01227 452 852
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
• East Kent Rape Crisis Centre: 01227 82 6900
• Victim Support: 0808 1889 111
• Galop (LGBTQ+) hate crime and domestic abuse: 0800 999 5428
• Mankind 01823 334 244
• Men’s advice line: 0808 8010 327

We are sure that you will respect and observe the rules and regulations of the University.

The Student Disciplinary Procedures help explain what we expect of you beyond academic expectations. You can find this and other key policies online at the Christ Church Student Policy Zone.

Expected behaviours - designed by students for students

Canterbury Christ Church University and the Students’ Union believe all students, staff and visitors have the right to live, study and work in a safe and supportive environment, free from discrimination, bullying or harassment of any form. We are proud to be part of a community that believes in the common good and supports everyone to thrive.

Any behaviour which threatens the safety, respect or wellbeing of students, staff or visitors will not be tolerated and students will be held accountable under our Student Disciplinary Procedures^[1]. We commit to upholding these Expected Behaviours and we will take positive action when we see or hear others acting inappropriately by challenging or reporting behaviour that falls short of our commitment to each other. This commitment is for both on and off campus and in all aspects of the virtual environment.

We are committed to the following principles:

Respect

• Show mutual respect for each other and all of our protected characteristics.
• Always listen and seek understanding. Appreciate different viewpoints even when you don’t agree with them.
• Respect boundaries, be polite, demonstrate good manners, and understand personal space.

Integrity

• Be honest and authentic.
• Have the courage to stand up for what is right.
• Accept your mistakes - we are all human, learning to do better next time is how we grow as individuals.

Acceptance

• Be accepting of everyone in our community.
• Foster environments that allow individuals to feel able to express themselves without feeling that they will be judged.
• Be inclusive - demonstrating that everyone has talents, and everyone is important.

Kindness and Empathy

• Treat others how you expect to be treated.
• Make being kind to one another our default.

Being mindful of our differences unites us

The University recognises that its staff are its most valuable asset and wishes to promote and maintain a transparent way of working in which staff are given clear and consistent information about the expectations of the University, its rules and policies. The Staff Code provides information about the standards expected from, and by, staff and managers.

As a Church of England Foundation, we value:

• the development of the whole person, respecting and nurturing the inherent dignity and potential of each individual;
• the integration of excellent teaching, research and knowledge exchange;
• the power of higher education to enrich individuals, communities and nations;
• our friendly, inclusive and professional community of students and staff;
• preparing individuals to contribute to a just and sustainable future.

All members of staff are expected to:

• promote and uphold the values of the University;
• work in a manner that enhances the student experience, and in particular, that delivers the University’s undertakings as set out in the Student Charter;
• treat students, colleagues and other stakeholders in a courteous and professional manner, in all oral and written communication including email;
• comply with their contract and terms and conditions of employment (of which this Code forms a part);
• fulfil the duties of their post as reasonably required by their line manager;
• observe University rules, regulations, codes of practice and policies;
• comply with legislation, for example with regard to health and safety, equality and data protection.

For those with Leadership and Management responsibilities:

• demonstrate the behaviours that are set out in the Leadership and Management Framework;
• ensure that staff are provided with clear and consistent information about expectations for their behaviour and ways of working, and that they are equipped and informed so that they can carry out their role effectively.

Certain types of conduct are unacceptable and could result in disciplinary action (which may include dismissal) being taken. Each case would be judged within the context of the particular circumstances.

Full details on the Staff Code are highlighted online. 

 Dignity at Work Policy

Canterbury Christ Church University is committed to maintaining a working environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and where unacceptable behaviour is identified and dealt with quickly and fairly.

This policy aims to assist staff to identify and address issues related to dignity at work and, in cases where they have broken down, to restore effective working relationships if possible.

The full Dignity at Work Policy is highlighted online. 

At Canterbury Christ Church we stand against racism, discrimination, harassment and bullying. We believe that everyone has a right to a good quality education, in which diversity is celebrated.

Racism is never OK and it is never the fault of the person experiencing it. Therefore, it is crucial that we all work together to tackle racism and promote racial equality.

About IMATTER/Allyship

Together we want to shine a light on racial inequalities, build a supportive learning and working community in which members of Christ Church and Christ Church Students' Union can stand together against racism.

Make a stand against racism where diversity is celebrated! 

The University is committed to promoting zero tolerance of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, economic and emotional forms of abuse.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse it is important to tell someone; get help and support from this list of contact details.

Rising Sun supports women and children affected by domestic abuse in Canterbury and East Kent;

Student support

If you are or have experienced domestic abuse Student Wellbeing Services are here to provide you with emotional and confidential support.

Staff support

The University has developed a Domestic Abuse Policy has part of its commitment to support employees' health, safety and wellbeing at work which details the support available to those who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The CCCU Domestic Abuse Hub

CCCU's Domestic Abuse Hub was created in 2019 for staff, students, community partners and service users to work together in highlighting and addressing domestic abuse, both within the university and in the community. The Hub hopes to promote the safety of those who experience(d) or are threatened by domestic abuse, by developing a range of activities, including policy development, staff training, raising awareness and facilitating research.

The Hub welcomes to its membership all those who are interested in contributing to addressing and enhancing our knowledge on domestic abuse. If you are interested in joining us, please email cccu-da-hub@canterbury.ac.uk. You can also find us on Twitter on @cccu_da_hub.