Harassment and sexual misconduct: an overview for students

The University of Sheffield is committed to taking steps that will make a significant and credible difference to protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. 

The information on this page is provided in line with Office for Students (OfS) Condition of Registration E6.

Understanding harassment and sexual misconduct

Harassment 

The University considers harassment (including sexual harassment) to include:

• unwanted behaviour or conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment because of, or connected to, one or more of the following protected characteristics: age; disability; gender reassignment; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation.
• a pattern of behaviour, repeated on at least two occasions, that harasses one other person, or a pattern of behaviour that harasses two or more persons at least once each. References to harassing a person include alarming the person or causing the person distress.

When determining whether harassment has occurred, consideration must be given to the perception of the person who is at the receiving end of the conduct; the other circumstances of the case; and whether it is reasonable for the conduct to have the effect under scrutiny.

Sexual misconduct

The University considers sexual misconduct to be any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which occurred in person or by letter, telephone, text, email or other electronic and/or social media and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• engaging, or attempting to engage, in a sexual act with another individual without consent;
• sexually touching another person without their consent;
• conduct of a sexual nature which creates (or could create) an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for others including making unwanted remarks of a sexual nature;
• inappropriately showing sexual organs to another person;
• repeatedly following another person without good reason;
• recording and/or sharing intimate images or recordings of another person without their consent; and
• arranging or participating in events aimed at degrading or humiliating those who have experienced sexual violence, for example inappropriately themed social events or initiation.

In addition, our Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct policy which applies to staff states that sexual misconduct can also include sexual conduct which is not unwanted, but which may be inappropriate for reasons such as abuse of power, real or perceived conflicts of interest, or breach of professional boundaries.

Abuse of power

A situation where a person exploits a position of power in relation to a student so as to apply pressure in a way which may result in:

• the student on the receiving end doing something, or refraining from doing something, that they may not have otherwise done;
• negative consequences for the student on the receiving end, such as emotional distress, physical harm, or financial loss

Reporting student / person 

The “reporting student / person” is defined as the person who discloses or reports an allegation of harassment or sexual misconduct.

Reported student / person

The “reported student / person” is defined as the student or member of staff who is alleged to have committed an act of harassment or sexual misconduct.

How to disclose a concern

Information for students making a disclosure

We encourage students to use our Report + Support platform to disclose any incidents of bullying, harassment, discrimination, domestic abuse, hate crime and sexual misconduct that you experience or witness.

Disclosing an incident doesn’t mean that you have to decide to take forward a report - your decision to report or not will be respected. If you choose not to report, you can change your mind and bring forward a report at a later date. 

If you choose to disclose an incident of harassment or sexual misconduct, you'll be listened to, supported and made aware of the options available to you. 

You can disclose anonymously or with your personal details. If you disclose with your personal details we’ll contact you to ensure you’re able to access information about reporting options and support, and can make an informed decision on what you’d like to do next. 

For more information on making a disclosure:

How to share a concern (make a disclosure)

Information for staff supporting a student to make a disclosure

If a student discloses any information relating to harassment or sexual misconduct with you,  you’re required to share this information with the Safeguarding and Welfare team via Report + Support and to also direct the student to Report + Support. This ensures that we can offer appropriate support to students, manage any possible risk and this can monitor patterns in disclosures and behaviour.  

Information for staff who have themselves experienced harassment and/or sexual misconduct

Staff policies, including the Staff Code of Conduct and Staff Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy, set out additional options to Report + Support  you can use as a staff member to disclose concerns in person, such as through our line manager structures, Human Resources or trade union representatives. As a staff member you should use the route you are most comfortable with, and you will always have the opportunity to access specialist support from a trained adviser. 

Further information about how to report (staff login required)

Support for students 

Support is available for students both through the University and external community services.  Our teams can share their knowledge of these services, help you to access them, and make referrals where appropriate. 

Further information about the support available for students

Further information about the support available for staff (staff login required)

Urgent support for a recent rape or sexual assault

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCS) are available across the country and offer confidential health care and support to people who’ve experienced rape and/or sexual assault. 

In Sheffield our SARC is Hackenthorpe Lodge. Their services include:

• Immediate over-the-phone rape and sexual assault support and signposting to specialist services.
• In-person rape or sexual assault crisis support and healthcare including access to medicine.
• Forensic medical examinations.
• Collection and storage of forensic samples (these can be saved for up to two years, giving you time to consider whether or not you want to report the incident to the police).

Visitors need an appointment before attending in person. Their appointment line is available 24 hours a day, on +44 330 223 0099.

Students who’ve been accused of misconduct

If a report of misconduct is made against you, you’ll be contacted by the Safeguarding and Welfare team who will provide you with support during the disciplinary process.

The University will:

• inform you of the allegation(s) made against you
• explain the relevant discipline procedure, including any investigation; and
• provide details of any precautionary measures identified to protect your own safety and wellbeing, and/or that of others.

Students who have been accused of misconduct can also access independent support and representation for discipline investigations and hearings from the Student Advice Centre in the Students’ Union. 

Our Student Wellbeing Service can also offer emotional support to students. 

Further information and support for students who’ve been accused of misconduct:

• Support and guidance for students accused of misconduct
• Report + Support: I have been accused of something
• Student Wellbeing Service (student login required)

If you choose to make a report

Reporting another student

If you’re a student and you choose to make a report about another student, your report will be considered by staff from Student Conduct and Appeals, Student Experience Diversity and Inclusion. 

They will review your report and advise on what they believe to be the best route for resolution. This could be an investigation under the Student Discipline Regulations or via an alternative resolution. 

For more information about both of these processes, including how allegations will be investigated fairly, as well as timescales, penalties and appeal provisions, visit: 

What happens if you make a report

Where the incident took place in, or is connected to, University residences, Residence Life will consider your report and advise on the best route for resolution.

Residence Life led resolutions

Reporting a member of staff

If you’re a student and you make an allegation of harassment and/or sexual misconduct against a member of staff, this will be investigated in line with the University’s policies and procedures. There will be a fact finding investigation and this may lead to formal action in line with the Staff Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.

In some circumstances, other policies such as the Capability Policy or Intimate Personal Relationships Between Staff and Students may apply.

Reporting to the police

You can report to the police either online or by calling 101 for non-emergencies. 

Should you choose to, you can report an incident to both the police and the University. In these instances, the University may decide to pause a student discipline investigation while a police case is ongoing. 

Where an internal investigation into a member of staff’s conduct is also being investigated by the police, we will always seek agreement from the police before proceeding. 

Risk assessment panel

The Risk Assessment Panel convenes where a risk to students, the University community, members of the public and/or the interests of the University has been identified, relating specifically to statutory safeguarding, the Prevent Duty and/or student conduct. The Risk Assessment Panel will normally meet when a report of serious misconduct has been made in order to assess any risk associated with the report.

Further information about this process

How we handle your information 

Confidentiality is key to creating an environment where students and staff feel safe to disclose any instances of harassment and sexual misconduct they witness or experience. 

Disclosures you make relating to an incident of harassment or sexual misconduct will remain confidential within the University, except in specific circumstances.

Information sharing with other University services

If you’re a student, it may be necessary for us to share information with other University teams or services, such as the Student Counselling Mental Health and Therapies Service (SCMHTS), the Disability and Dyslexia, Support Service (DDSS), University Health Service (UHS) or your academic school in order to provide the best possible support to you. 

We’ll only share this information on a need-to-know basis and will ensure that information is shared sensitively and appropriately. 

We will always aim to seek and gain your consent before sharing information with any other team or service. However, there may be some circumstances where we have to share information without your consent, these are outlined below.

For more information about what we do with your information:

Confidentiality and information sharing 

Sharing information with third parties 

We do not share any students’ personal information with third parties including parents, partners or guardians unless we have your permission to do so, or where there are specific circumstances that require us to do so. 

Specific circumstances where we may be required to disclose personal information of students or staff, without your consent include:   

• If there is good reason to believe that you or someone else may be at significant risk of harm.
• Where we are required to disclose personal information to meet our statutory safeguarding duties or duty of care to students.
• In circumstances where there are fitness to practise concerns relating to
  • students studying on courses registered with professional bodies, including medicine, social work and teaching.
  • staff members registered with, and regulated by, certain professional bodies.
• Where we are legally required to do so as part of a criminal investigation under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (1966).

Storing your information

Records of any disciplinary investigation/hearing and outcome will be held confidentially for a period of six years following the conclusion of the case.

How we inform you of an outcome 

Investigations and disciplinary action where the reported party is a student

In accordance with our Student Disciplinary Regulations, where it is reasonable and practicable to do so in accordance with its duties and obligations under data protection legislation, the University will:

• inform students  (the ‘reporting student’) who raise an allegation of harassment or sexual misconduct against another student about the outcome of the investigation and any hearing ; and/or
• provide the reporting student with an explanation of any actions taken by the University.

This commitment also applies if the outcome changes for any reason, for example as the outcome of an appeal.

The information we can provide may be limited depending on the circumstances. 

The reported student  will be informed that a report is being investigated in line with the  University's student discipline procedure.  They will be informed of the arrangements for the investigation and any hearing, and of the outcome. They will also be informed of the arrangements for and the outcome of any appeal. 

Investigations where the reported party is a member of staff

As a student, if you make a report of harassment or sexual misconduct against a member of staff, we will share as much information as possible in the specific circumstances with you about any formal process and outcome. 

Where we are not able to share specific information with you, we will explain why. In deciding what information can be shared, we need to weigh up the purpose of sharing (including the lawful basis), why it is necessary and on balance, whether it is appropriate and proportionate. We will share information at key points including when an investigation is completed and when an outcome of a formal procedure or an appeal is reached.

Training for students

We’re committed to ensuring that students understand

• what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct
• why healthy relationships and sexual consent are important
• how to report these behaviours should you experience or witness them
• the support available to you
• how to be an active bystander and effectively challenge behaviour

From September 2025 all students will be required to complete training each year as part of the induction period. This will be available on Blackboard and is split into three modules

• Harassment and Sexual Misconduct: How our University responds
• Bystander Intervention
• Consent on campus

For more information:

Harassment and sexual misconduct training for students

Training for staff

Members of staff are asked to complete the mandatory ‘Supporting our Students’ module every two years. This includes information about how our University responds to harassment and sexual misconduct, and our approach to staff and student relationships.

Members of staff who undertake or support formal investigations, or act as panel members under our staff procedures are experienced and receive specific training for carrying out these roles.

We have implemented additional specialist trauma-informed training on sexual harassment and sexual misconduct for cohorts of investigators, panel members and HR staff.  We are committed to maintaining a pool of specialist-trained staff and continually evaluating our training provision. 

Personal relationships between staff and students

We’re committed to protecting students from any actual or potential conflict of interest and/or abuse of power that may arise from intimate personal relationships with staff. 

Our Personal Relationships Policy (ADD LINK) strongly discourages personal relationships between all staff and students, and has required since 2020 that any relationships must be declared immediately.

Some staff who are classed as a “relevant staff member” have additional responsibilities for the welfare and protection of students because they have direct academic or other professional responsibilities in relation to that student.

Effective from 1 August 2025, our Intimate Personal Relationships between Staff and Students policy prohibits any relevant staff member from having an intimate personal relationship with one or more students. Any breach of this prohibition by a relevant staff member will result in the University taking appropriate steps in line with the staff Disciplinary procedure, up to and including the dismissal of the relevant staff member.  

How we’re taking steps to protect students

We’re committed to taking steps that will make a significant and credible difference to protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. 

Understanding the prevalence of harassment and sexual misconduct 

We’ve made a commitment to share data relating to the disclosures of harassment and sexual misconduct we receive and the actions we’ve taken in response. 

Our 2024-25 data will be published in October 2025.

We run a Sexual Violence and Harassment Experiences Survey every other year, to help us understand the prevalence of harassment and sexual misconduct within the student community. This helps us to better address these concerns and ensure appropriate support provision is in place for students. 

Access our data from the 2023 survey 

Data from our 2025 survey will be published in the new academic year. 

We consult with Sheffield Students’ Union on changes to our student policies on harassment and sexual misconduct. Students are also represented on the committees where these policies are approved.

We seek feedback from users of our Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) Service and other services providing support to victim/survivors of harassment and sexual misconduct.

Non-disclosure agreements

In January 2022, the University of Sheffield signed the Can’t Buy My Silence University Pledge. 

This means we do not use non-disclosure agreements in relation to complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct. 

Since September 2024 the Office for Students has prohibited universities from using non-disclosure agreements in relation to student allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.

Freedom of speech

The University of Sheffield is committed to protecting and promoting freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law.  

Our Code of Practice articulates our values around freedom of speech and academic freedom and outlines steps that we take to promote and protect free speech and academic freedom.  

Nothing in our commitment to freedom of speech is an excuse for abuse, bullying, discrimination, harassment, hatred, intimidation, violence or any act prohibited by law. When we consider concerns raised by students, we do so on the basis that the following is unlikely to amount to harassment:

• the content of higher education course materials, including but not limited to books, videos, sound recordings, and pictures.
• statements made and views expressed by a person as part of teaching, research or discussions about any subject matter which is connected with the content of a higher education course.