We understand that it can be very distressing if you have been accused of harmful behaviour. If a formal complaint has been made about you, you will be notified by Student Case Management who are the team that respond to and investigate complaints within the student code of conduct.
Report & Support is a platform used to make the university aware of harmful behaviour and for the impacted student to access support from the Student Welfare Team. The Student Welfare Team are not best placed to offer support to students who have been accused of harmful behaviour. If a complaint has been made against you, or you are concerned about your own behaviour, we would recommend the following:
- Take time to reflect upon the way that your alleged behaviour has made the other person feel. You may not have acted with ill intent, but if your words or actions have hurt or offended another person then it is a good idea to take the opportunity to learn from this and consider what you can change in the future. If the other person is telling you how your behaviour has made them feel, or if Student Case Management contact you to make you aware of a complaint made, then it is important that you listen carefully to the concerns that are being shared.
- You may find it helpful to read about the behaviour you have been accused of, please see the categories on the main Report & Support page.
- Stop the behaviour; even if your initial behaviour was not intended to cause harm, now you have been made aware that it has upset or offended somebody it is important that you do not continue to act in the same way, as repeated incidents of the same behaviour may be seen as a more serious issue. This may include stopping contact with the other person, whether in person, online, or via somebody else; as much as you may want to try to put things right with them or offer an explanation of your behaviour, if the other person has asked you to not contact them or is not responding to you then it is important that you respect that.
There is support available to you:
University support
- Student's Union Advice Centre have trained advisors who can provide support with university processes.
- Counselling, Mental Health, Wellbeing offer emotional support.
- We are committed to creating a campus where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. That’s why all students are expected to complete the essential safety training – Our Community, Our Responsibility.
External support
- Your GP will be aware of organisations local to you and may be able to refer you where appropriate, as well as offering physical and mental health support.
- Talk Listen Change is a Manchester based organisation that offers behaviour change programmes to people concerned about their behaviour within relationships.
- Respect is a national organisation providing support to those wanting to change their behaviour within relationships.
- The Mix offers support around a range of topics for <25 year olds.
If you are in mental health crisis or do not feel able to keep yourself safe, please call NHS 111 and select the Mental Health option when prompted.