What is Sexual Misconduct / Sexual Violence?
Under the Student Disciplinary Regulations, 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.
You can find more detailed legal definitions of specific behaviours, including rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment on the University's harassment and sexual misconduct webpages.
What if I'm not sure?
You don't have to be certain that what you've experienced fits neatly into one of these definitions to be able to access support from the University; we understand that sometimes something just doesn't feel quite right.
Accessing Support
You can access support from one of our experienced Sexual Violence Support Officers, by completing this online form to share what you've experienced with your personal details.
You can find more information about the support available to you or someone you're supporting on our Harassment and Sexual Misconduct webpages.
This includes information about:
- Our Sexual Violence Support Officers (SVSOs)
- How to make a disclosure (and how this is different from a report)
- Information about our Sexual Violence Counselling Pathway
- Support around risk management and safety planning
- Information about accessing external support services
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) are available across the country and offer confidential health care and emotional support to anyone who’s experienced rape and/or sexual assault.
In Sheffield our SARC is called Hackenthorpe Lodge and the services they offer 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
- holistic examinations and care for non-recent cases
You’ll be offered these services based on your individual needs and you can choose to use as much or as little of the service as you wish.
Any forensic samples that are collected during a medical examination will be kept for up to two years. These can support any future report you may wish to make to the police.
Contact Hackenthorpe Lodge to make an appointment before attending the SARC in person.
If you need any help in getting there, your Sexual Violence Support Officer (SVSO) can organise transport for you via the University’s Security Team. Outside of normal working hours you can contact University Security directly on 0114 222 4085 to request helping arranging transport.
Supporting Somone Else
We understand that it can be distressing supporting someone else who's experienced sexual violence. You can find information about how to do this, on our Harassment & Sexual Misconduct webpages.
It's also important that you take care of your own wellbeing and seek support yourself if you feel impacted.
If you are a member of staff supporting a student:
You can access information and guidance about how to support a student who has experienced sexual violence on Harassment & Sexual Misconduct webpages. Please ensure you read this guidance carefully,
As a member of staff you are expected to share any student disclosures relating to sexual violence with the Safeguarding and Welfare team, to ensure that all appropriate support and safeguading measures are followed.
Other sources of support
Hackenthorpe Lodge SARC see above
Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (SRASAC): Offers confidential helpline support as well as counselling and advice on giving support to others who have been raped or sexually abused.
South Yorkshire Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service: Practical help and emotional support via an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA).
Galop - the LGBTQ+ anti violence charity: Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people who have experienced sexual violence, domestic abuse or hate crime.
Survivors UK: Survivors UK are a charity offering support to men who have experienced sexual violence. Web and SMS chat can be accessed through their website.