Harassment and sexual misconduct

In law, the term ‘harassment’ includes:

• unwanted conduct related to personal characteristics that are protected under law, that has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them; and  
• a course of conduct that harasses a person, including causing them alarm or distress.

 Harassment can be physical, verbal or non-verbal. 
 
The University’s Rules of Behaviour for students uses the term 'abusive behaviour'. This term covers all conduct within the legal definitions of harassment, and other conduct which the University considers inappropriate:
 
‘Abusive behaviour’ is any unwanted behaviour which is reasonably likely to cause harm; or have the effect of violating another’s dignity; or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that other. It includes threats, abusive comments, the use of or supply of illicit substances, making malicious accusations, repeatedly contacting someone, and abuse that takes place within an intimate relationship. Abusive behaviour can take place in physical or virtual environments.'

To help show what this behaviour can look like, the University has created campaign posters with examples of everyday situations (PDF).

‘Sexual misconduct’ is any unwanted and unpermitted sexual activity. It includes (but is not limited to) behaviour that would constitute sexual harassment, sexual assault and/or rape. Sexual misconduct can take place in physical or virtual environments. 
 
To help show what this behaviour can look like, the University has created campaign posters with examples of everyday situations (PDF).

Under the Rules of Behaviour, students must not engage in abusive behaviour (including harassment), sexual misconduct, or physical misconduct towards a member of the collegiate University community, or anyone within the precincts of the University or during a University or College activity.

Obligations on staff are set out in the Dignity at Work Policy (including the Code of Behaviour) and the Staff and Students Relationship Policy. See Staff behaviour and relationships with students.

In emergencies, or where there are immediate concerns about a student’s safety, please see: Crisis information and contacts.

You can access support if you have experienced harassment or sexual misconduct, whether you choose to report it or not. Support is also available if your behaviour has been reported, or if you are concerned it could be in the future. Student wellbeing is our priority, and we are here to listen and help you understand your options.

• If you have experienced harassment or sexual misconduct: The University’s Harassment and Violence Support Service (HVSS) offers specialist support for students who have (or think they may have) experienced any form of sexual harassment, misconduct or violence. This includes domestic abuse, and harassment relating to religion or race. You can arrange an appointment by completing this form. You can find an overview of mental health and wellbeing resources on our get support page.
• University support available to all: 
  • Confidential individual counselling is available to students through the University Counselling Service.
  • Students whose mental health has been affected can request a referral from their counsellor or College to the Mental Health Advice Service.
• College support: there are many staff in Cambridge Colleges who can support you, including tutors, professional welfare staff and chaplains.
• The Student Advice Service (Cambridge Students’ Union) is a team of independent, professional advisers offering free, confidential and impartial advice.

You can also get support from a range of sources outside the University.

• The Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) at Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre.
•  The Elms – Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can carry out a forensic medical examination. They can store evidence for you while you make your mind up about reporting. You may be able to get support with transport to the SARC from your college.
• The Lime Tree Clinic offers contraception, testing for, and management of, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

• Stop Hate UK is a confidential and independent helpline for anyone experiencing Hate Crime and discrimination.
• Boloh provides advice, and mental health and practical support to asylum seekers.
• Black Minds Matter connects black individuals and families with free professional mental health services.
• Muslim Youth Helpline provides faith and culturally sensitive support for young Muslims.
• Bayo lists organisations that work specifically with black young people, including mental health support.
• BBC Bitesize has expert advice on looking after your mental health if you have been affected by racism.
• Community Security Trust is a confidential and independent service for victims of antisemitic hatred, harassment or bias.
• TELL MAMA supports victims of anti-Muslim hate. It is a public service which also measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents.
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission explains your rights under the Equality Act 2010, which covers protected characteristics like gender, race and sexuality.

The University’s Dignity at Work Policy provides information for staff who have been affected by incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct. The Policy includes the University’s Code of Behaviour. The policy outlines what staff should do when they have experienced, or have concerns about, inappropriate behaviour.

The University’s grievance and disciplinary procedures set out formal and informal ways to report harassment and/or sexual misconduct. Further resources, training and support are provided on our Breaking the Silence webpages.

Students can report any harassment or sexual misconduct using the Reporting Misconduct Form. There is no time limit on reporting, although the amount of time that has passed may impact the investigation or sanctions, particularly if the individual is no longer a current student or employee.

Once a student has made a report, they will be offered a meeting with a member of the team responsible for the reporting processes to discuss the process and answer any questions. A student can change their mind about making a report at any time.

The University reporting procedures available are:

• Anyone can report the behaviour of a student through the Student Disciplinary Procedure. This process involves a formal investigation and sanctions, where the Rules of Behaviour have been breached.
• Students can report harassment or sexual misconduct of other students through the Informal complaint procedure for student misconduct. This process does not involve an investigation into the behaviour. It focuses on limiting contact between the 2 students with a formal conduct agreement, agreed by both students involved. This may include limiting contact or access to some University sites.  
• Students can report a staff member’s behaviour through the Student Complaint Procedure. This process involves a formal investigation, during which contact will be restricted. Students will receive an outcome and a solution where the complaint is upheld. Disciplinary action may be taken if the staff code of conduct has been breached, but students will not necessarily be informed of this.

If a student wishes to raise a complaint about a member of College staff or a fellow, the procedure will be published on the relevant College website. Students can speak to their Senior Tutor for further information.

If students and staff wish to record harassment or sexual misconduct anonymously, they can use the anonymous reporting form.

Criminal offences can be reported to the police via the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website. If a criminal investigation is taking place, the University process will usually be paused.

The following reference pages may be helpful:

• Reporting to the police – Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre | Support for survivors of sexual violence
• Stalking and harassment | Cambridgeshire Constabulary
• Hate crime - Cambridge City Council
• Advice and Support - Equality Advisory and Support Service

If someone reports a student’s behaviour, you will be informed of what has been reported and how the reported behaviour may breach University rules. There will be an investigation and you will be asked for a full account of the alleged behaviour. You will also be able to provide evidence and suggest witnesses. You are expected to cooperate with requests for information.

A Student Discipline Officer (SDO) will look into whether the behaviour occurred and whether it breaches the University’s Rules of Behaviour. Behaviour that goes against the rules may result in disciplinary action from the SDO or a Discipline Committee. The Discipline Committee is a panel of 3 trained people who would consider whether the rules have been broken and decide appropriate sanctions. You would normally be expected to attend this in-person meeting.

You can find more information on the student complaints website.

How we handle all information is outlined in the University’s Data Protection Policy (PDF).

If you contact University Student Support teams, you will only be asked for the information we need to offer you appropriate support. This support is confidential. Nothing will be discussed outside the support service without your consent unless there are legal or statutory obligations to disclose, or if there is a risk of serious harm to you or others. More information on this is available on the Student Support website.

When something is reported to the University to investigate, we will only share information to process, investigate, and resolve the matter. Case handlers and decision-makers will consider all relevant information fairly. You can find specific detail on the handling and sharing of information within the procedures below.

If you submit a Reporting Misconduct Form but choose not to proceed further, this will be stored confidentially for 3 years but no action will be taken with it. After then it will be deleted.

Information submitted anonymously will be collated and analysed to help monitor trends and understand the impact of initiatives run by the collegiate University and Students' Union. Once you have completed the form, please check that you have logged out of your University account so you cannot be identified by your submission.

You can find further information in the following documents:

• Pages 8-9 of the Informal Complaint Procedure (PDF).
• Paragraphs 2.29-2.33 of the Student Disciplinary Procedure (PDF).
• Pages 11-12 of the Student Complaint Procedure (PDF). For matters which arose before 1 October 2024, page 9 of the previous Student Complaint Procedure (PDF).
• Page 13 (section 6.5) of the Grievance Policy (unestablished, research and assistant staff)
• Page 9 (section 14) of the Staff and Students Relationship Policy
• Page 16 (section 10.2) of the Dignity at Work Policy

The Staff and Students Relationship Policy sets out the University's position on intimate and close personal relationships between staff and students.

Staff with direct or indirect academic responsibilities for students, or other direct professional responsibilities, are:

• Prohibited from pursuing or entering intimate relationships with students, and
• Strongly discouraged from entering close personal relationships with any such student for whom they have any responsibilities.

Intimate or close personal relationships between students and staff can create an imbalance of power that can harm students’ welfare, hinder their learning and undermine confidence in the academic process. By placing restrictions on such relationships where the staff member has any kind of professional responsibility for the student, the Staff and Students Relationship Policy aims to protect both parties from harm, as well as from accusations of unfairness, bias, exploitation or conflict of interest.

The Dignity at Work Policy sets out the standards of behaviour expected from University staff to ensure a common understanding of how everyone should behave towards one another, including towards students. This includes the Code of Behaviour, setting out both the positive behaviour expected of us in our interactions with one another and the negative behaviours that may lead to informal or formal action being taken. 

From the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, staff groups across the University and Colleges will receive training on how to prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct.

The training that staff receive depends upon their role. From 2025-26 all staff will receive mandatory training which will include understanding behaviours that may constitute harassment and/or sexual misconduct. In addition, staff with pastoral responsibilities and those in positions of senior leadership will be able to signpost you to specialist services, and mandatory specialist training will be delivered for staff likely to receive disclosures about incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct, undertake investigations, and make decisions about disciplinary cases. This will ensure that relevant staff have a clear understanding of our policies and procedures, to ensure they can conduct their roles appropriately. Additionally, all University staff will receive mandatory training on the principles of Freedom of Speech in line with the University Code of Practice; recognising and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace and information on relevant equality legislation.

Ultimately, this training helps build a community where everyone feels safe, heard, and included. If you need support or want to learn more, staff will be better prepared to support you and guide you to the right resources.

From the academic year 2025/26, the University will provide online training to all students before they arrive at the University. This training will include:

• Understanding harassment and consent: learn what these terms mean, how common these issues are, and how myths and social norms can cause harm.
• Recognising harmful behaviours: spot the signs of harassment and understand how it can affect people.
• Being an active bystander: how you can safely step in when something doesn’t feel right, and what may stop people from acting.
• Intervene safely and effectively: learn simple, practical ways to help.
• Know where to get help: how to report concerns and where to find support for yourself or someone else.

First year students will also be expected to attend an interactive training session in the first term of study to explore these topics in more depth.

The policies and procedures referenced throughout this webpage are listed below for ease of reference:

• Rules of Behaviour for Registered Students
• Student Disciplinary Procedure (PDF) (for behaviour since 1 October 2023)
• Disciplinary Procedure Sanctions Guidance (PDF)
• Informal Complaints Procedure for Student Misconduct (PDF)
• Precautionary Action (PDF) – Special Ordinance D (v), p4

• Dignity at Work Policy (including Code of Behaviour)
• Staff and Students Relationship Policy
• Staff Disciplinary action, Grievance and Appeals

• University Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech
• University Safeguarding Statement
• University’s Data Protection Policy (PDF) and webpages on use of student data
• Statement of Records Management Practice and Master Records Retention Schedule (PDF)
• Freedom of speech guidance, resources and training

The University is committed to protecting freedom of speech within the law for staff, students and visiting speakers in all activities related to academic life. The Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech sets out the University’s values, approach and procedures in detail. You can find guidance, resources and training information on the freedom of speech guidance page. 

In line with the Office for Students (OfS) condition E6, the University will apply our policies to tackle harassment and sexual misconduct in a manner consistent with principles of freedom of speech. In case of any perceived conflict, the provisions within the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech will take precedence as long as that is lawful and reasonably practicable. Staff will receive mandatory training to understand freedom of speech rights and responsibilities, including how these relate to the University’s policies and procedures around harassment and sexual misconduct.

Freedom of speech means the freedom, within the law, to receive and impart ideas, opinions or information by means of speech, writing or images (including in electronic form) without interference.  Academic freedom means academics have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without losing their jobs, privileges or opportunities at the University.

Exposure to research, course material, academic debate and discussion, or speakers’ views that may be experienced as offensive, contentious or unacceptable but are nonetheless within the law, are unlikely to be considered harassment, unless they are specifically intended to violate a person's dignity or to create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them.

The University does not use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or confidentiality clauses. We are committed to ensuring staff and students are not prevented from discussing their experiences of harassment or sexual misconduct.