The information on this page summarises the University's policies and procedures on student harassment and sexual misconduct, including intimate personal relationships between staff members and students.
This webpage is the single comprehensive source of information required by the Office for Students (OfS registration condition E6).
Harassment and sexual misconduct are defined as:
'Harassment' is unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment as defined by the Equality Act 2010. This includes harassment by association or perception.
'Sexual Misconduct' related to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. This includes, but is not limited to:
See our Support and Report webpage for further information on Bullying and Harassment and Sexual Assault and Harassment
The University of Bedfordshire is a diverse, outward looking and inclusive place to study, live and work. We actively promote respect, tolerance and inclusion as core values of our learning community.
Support and Report has been established to provide a centralised point of contact for all our students and staff to share their concerns about any offensive, threatening or anti-social behaviour, on or off campus. This mechanism enables confidential and anonymous reporting of incidents to specific senior members of staff who will initiate referral to relevant teams and offer appropriate support, ensuring any follow-up is carried out as necessary.
If you have witnessed any incidents of bullying, harassment and assault or been a victim of them, then we are here to support you. It is really important that you report any such incidents to us.
The University offers specialist support for you and for anyone you know who may have been affected. As well as offering support, our advisors have been trained to offer support for victims with reporting an incident or crime to police and other relevant external agencies.
You can tell us what happened using the 'Support and report' form
If you or someone you know has been victim – or has any concerns about sexual violence or sexual harassment – you can speak in confidence to a member of staff at the university who is specially trained as a SASH (Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment) Responder.
The SASH Responder will not push for details, make assumptions or take any action without your consent – unless it is perceived that there is a significant risk to you or others. Their role is to listen and provide practical advice and support about the options open to you, including how to make a formal complaint to the University and/or the police should you choose to do so.
If you would like to speak to a SASH Responder, you can contact the Student Information Desk, Reception or a member of security who will arrange this for you.
Staff can access support from their People and Culture Advisor who can discuss their options regarding escalating a complaint and accessing support.
The Sexual Violence and Harassment Protocol defines what harassment and sexual misconduct are and sets out the University’s approach to preventing and addressing harassment and sexual misconduct.
How we will ensure investigations and decisions are credible and fair
The University has a Student Code of Conduct [PDF] which states that alleged reports of misconduct should be addressed to the Adjudication Team in the first instance. The University takes matters of harassment and sexual misconduct very seriously and will support them and any other members of the University community who have been affected.
The University will aim to investigate the claim fully. On receipt of a report that is eligible for consideration under the Code of Conduct policy, the Adjudication Team will make an initial assessment of whether the report is a minor or serious misconduct. Once the level of seriousness is determined, the person who is alleged to have committed the offence will be notified of the alleged misconduct report against them. Repeated Minor or Serious levels of misconduct will be subject to Formal Investigation.
How we will ensure parties are informed of decisions and their rationale
The University will aim to complete all stages of an investigation and provide the student with the outcome as soon as possible and within three months of receiving the initial report of alleged misconduct. The outcome of a Disciplinary Hearing will be communicated to the student by email within 10 working days.
Investigating processes for staff are outlined in the Dignity and Respect at Work Policy [PDF] and Grievance Policy and Procedure[PDF]
We are committed to ensuring that students understand what harassment and sexual misconduct is, how to report it, and what support is available to them.
All new students are enrolled in a mandatory micro-learning course that covers harassment & sexual misconduct and provides students with easy-to-remember advice and the relevant reporting processes at the University of Bedfordshire.
We are committed to ensuring a safe place for all to work. We have updated our Dignity and Respect at Work Policy [PDF] to clarify that sexual harassment is totally unacceptable at the University of Bedfordshire.
The University of Bedfordshire recognises that good working relations are important to the creation of positive, engaging and inspiring work and study. However, personal relationships between staff, and between staff and students, can sometimes lead to negative and/or unintended consequences, such as conflicts of interest, unfair/biased treatment, abuses of power, sexual misconduct, and detriment to wellbeing.
The University has developed a Personal Relationships Policy [PDF] to ensure all professional and personal relationships amongst and between staff and students are conducted in such a way as to safeguards against any negative or unintended consequences. The policy clarifies expectations and obligations of staff and ensures processes are in place to safeguard against abuses of power and sexual misconduct.
Close personal or intimate relationships between staff and students are prohibited where a staff member has direct academic responsibilities or other direct professional responsibilities.
If any student has any concerns about their relationship with a staff member, regardless of whether that relationship is permitted under the policy, they are encouraged to report it and seek support.
Since September 2024, the Office for Students has prohibited universities from using NDAs in relation to student allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct. In line with that, the University of Bedfordshire does not use Non-disclosure agreements.
Please find links below to some of the University’s policies and processes: