Sexual Misconduct

Being subjected to sexual misconduct can make you feel many things, such as anxious, angry, confused, depressed and may lead to other problems, such as difficulty sleeping. There’s no right or wrong way to feel, and you can do something about it. 

What is sexual misconduct?

Sexual misconduct means any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. This encompasses a very broad range of actions, including but not limited to: 

• Sexual harassment (as defined above in this section), 

• Rape and sexual assault (cf. ss. 1 and 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003),

• Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent (cf. s.4 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003), 

• Exposure, whether showing sexual organs in another person’s physical presence, or by sending explicit images via electronic means (cf. s.66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003),

• Voyeurism, including the non-consensual observing or recording of another person doing a private act (cf. s.67 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003),

• Sharing or threatening to share sexual images without consent (cf. s.33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015),

• Stalking and cyberstalking, or unwanted communication or behaviour that causes a person to fear harassed or fearful (cf. ss. 2A and 4A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997),

• Controlling or coercive behaviour, including but not limited to circumstances such as in an intimate relationship, cf. s.76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015),

• Promising resources or benefits in return for sexual favours, or any other related abuse of power.

An abuse of power occurs where a person uses their position of authority to exploit, pressure, or coerce another person - particularly in ways that undermine that person’s ability to freely consent or participate equally. 

This includes but is not limited to the use of academic or professional power to initiate or sustain inappropriate or unwanted sexual or personal relationships. 12. The following represents a further non-exhaustive/indicative list of examples of sexual harassment and/or sexual misconduct which may be considered under this policy: inappropriate comments, inappropriate body language, unwanted sexual advances, innuendo, derogatory comments, spiking drink or food, and photographing or filming under a person’s clothes without their consent. Some of these examples overlap with those given above, but are described differently for purposes of simplicity and clarity.

Consent is given if a person agrees something may happen or if they agree to engage in a given activity by choice, and they have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Consent cannot be presumed, nor can it be assumed on the basis of a previously consensual sexual experience or previously given consent. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. An individual cannot freely give consent if they are asleep and may not be capable of giving consent if incapacitated due to the use of alcohol or other drugs. You should note your own intoxication through your own use of alcohol or other drugs can never justify committing an act of sexual misconduct.

Reporting party is the person(s) who witnessed the alleged or criminally proven incident(s) of harassment and/or sexual misconduct, or person(s) who feel they experienced the alleged or criminally proven incident(s) of harassment and/or sexual misconduct.

Reported party is the person(s) whose conduct is alleged (or has been proven by the court) to amount to harassment and/or sexual misconduct. 

I have been subjected to sexual misconduct

Your safety and wellbeing

  • Are you in danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999.
  • Find a safe space. If you feel unsafe, find a trusted person or safe space immediately.
  • Seek support. Consider whether you need medical support or emotional support (e.g., from a friend, family member, or a professional). Further information about support services [insert link] 

Document what happened

  • Write down what happened as soon as you can, including dates, times, places, and any witnesses.
  • Keep any evidence (e.g., messages, emails, photos).
  • This is helpful whether or not you decide to report it.

Consider reporting and seeking a resolution

  • Report + Support. Students, staff and visitors can share the details of an incident [Insert link] using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor, they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
  • University procedures and resolution. If you choose to make a report to the University about a student or member of staff there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow and the possible resolutions available to you. Further information about procedures and resolution options. [insert link].
  • Share anonymously. You can choose to share anonymously, meaning no identifying information has to be shared. This option also includes the ability to opt into continued communication with a case worker. Further information about anonymous reporting [insert link]. 
  • Share with contact details. You can choose to share your experience and give your contact details so that you get a direct response. You can choose who your report goes to [insert link]. 

Take your time

  • You don’t have to make decisions straight away. It’s okay to take the time you need to think about what’s right for you. 
  • Take the time to read and understand what your options are.
  • Request to speak to an advisor through Report + Support and discuss your options. 

Where to get support

  • Members of staff wishing to seek an informal resolution should contact either their line manager, or the University Secretary, or Human Resources, or their trade union representative (where applicable).
  • Students at the School of Advanced Study or University of London Institute in Paris wishing to seek an informal resolution should contact the Chief Executive Officer, School of Advanced Study via email at harassment.complaints@london.ac.uk. University of London Worldwide Students should contact the Associate Director, Student Life, University of London Worldwide via email at harassment.complaints@london.ac.uk. These officers will provide guidance and support in relation to action that can be taken. 
  • Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you.

You can get help from a SARC by booking an appointment with your nearest one.

Find your nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC)

Someone I know has experienced sexual misconduct

Listen without judgement or interruption

  • Let them lead the conversation — focus on what they want to share.
  • Avoid asking “why” questions that could sound like blame.
  • Use phrases like:
    • “Thank you for telling me.”
    • “That shouldn’t have happened to you.”
    • “I’m here for you.”

Believe them

  • One of the most powerful things you can do is believe them.
  • Harassment linked to protected characteristics is often minimised or dismissed by others; don’t contribute to that.
  • Avoid playing down what happened or making excuses for the perpetrator.

Understand the Context

  • Harassment related to identity often isn’t an isolated incident — it can be part of wider patterns of discrimination or marginalisation.
  • Acknowledge that their experience may be shaped by repeated exposure to prejudice or exclusion.
  • You don’t have to fully “understand” their experience — just accept that it’s real and valid.

Offer practical help and options

  • Ask what they would like from you:
    • “Would you like help reporting this?”
    • “Do you want me to come with you to speak to someone?”
    • “Would you like me to just sit with you while you decide?”
  • Help them explore their options, but don’t pressure them to take any particular action.
  • Research options available to them for them to access support (see section on I have experienced harassment or other pages on this site).

 Respect their decisions

  • Whether they choose to report or not, that’s their choice.
  • If they don’t feel safe or ready to report, respect that decision.

Look after yourself too

  • Supporting someone through a difficult experience can also take an emotional toll on you. It’s okay to seek support yourself (without breaking their confidentiality).
  • Know your limits of how much you can support someone and what is too much for you to offer.

 Challenge sexual misconduct when safe

  • If you witness sexual misconduct in the future and feel it’s safe to do so, speak up or challenge it.
  • Learn more about bystander interventions [insert link].

 Educate yourself

  • Take the responsibility to learn more about the forms of discrimination connected to their experience (e.g., racism, ableism, homophobia) so they don’t have to carry the burden of explaining everything to you. This is a great way to show someone you care about them. This allyship in action, and you can read more about allyship on our dedicated page [insert link].

Back

There are two ways you can tell us what happened

Share anonymously or Share with contact details