Harassment and bullying
Bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct is not tolerated at Kingston University. Get the support you need and find out how to make a report.
Bullying and harassment
Kingston University is a diverse and vibrant learning community. Everybody here has a shared responsibility for creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment.
We want everyone working and studying at Kingston University to have a positive experience where they are accepted as their authentic selves and treated with respect.
On this page, we explain what we’re doing to prevent and address harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct. There is information about the support offered to those who have witnessed or experienced discriminatory, bullying or other unwanted behaviours.
You’ll also be able to find out how to report bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
Our commitment
We are committed to building an inclusive and supportive environment with a culture of acceptance without exception. We stand against all forms of sexual violence and fully endorse the anti-racism pledge.
Every member of our community has the right to be treated with respect at all times. We expect everyone to behave respectfully and with consideration for others, both on and off campus. We do not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct.
All allegations of harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct will be taken extremely seriously.
What is harassment?
We provide definitions of the different types of harassment and unwanted behaviours.
Harassment is unwanted conduct affecting the dignity of people in their place of work or study (based on ACAS definition).
Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour. It’s an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient (adapted from ACAS).
Sexual misconduct refers to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
Unwanted conduct may be related to any personal characteristic of the individual and may be persistent or an isolated incident. The unwanted actions or comments are viewed as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient.
How to report harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct
Harassment, bulling or sexual misconduct can have a significant negative impact upon your life, if you experience or witness any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable, report it.
The Harassment Contact Scheme
Harassment Contacts are volunteering staff members. They have been trained to listen to individuals affected by harassment and suggest places to go for further assistance.
The Harassment Contact scheme provides informal and confidential support to both staff and students who experience bullying or harassment at university.
The Harassment Contact Scheme is for listening, support and signposting. The scheme does not form part of the University's formal complaints or disciplinary procedures.
More about the Harassment Contact Scheme
Report and Support
Report and Support is an online reporting platform. You can report cases of harassment, bullying or sexual misconduct anonymously or with your contact information.
The platform also provides access to useful information and helps you receive the support you need.
If you are unsure about the correct procedure to follow, impartial and expert advice is offered by Kingston Students' Union.
The formal routes for reporting bullying and harassment are different for staff members and students. We outline the different procedures below.
Staff who want to report harassment
If you are a staff member wanting to inform the University of suspected bullying and harassment by another staff member, visit Staffspace’s Harassment and Bullying Policy.
Students who want to report harassment
If you wish to inform the University of suspected bullying or harassment by a member of staff and expect action to be taken, use the Student Complaints Procedure.
If the allegations you wish to report concern another student, refer to the Student Conduct and Behaviour Procedure.
If you are unsure about the correct procedure to follow or want to speak to someone about your concerns, impartial and expert advice is offered by Kingston Students' Union.
Policies for staff and students
Our personal relationship policy (PDF) is aimed at both staff and students.
Support for victims of harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct
Support for harassment offered by Kingston University
We have a page dedicated to our safeguarding commitment and policy.
A wide variety of support is available to staff and students via the University and Kingston Students' Union. For more information, visit MyKingston.
External support for bullying and harassment
There is a range of external support available for those who have experienced bullying, harassments and sexual misconduct.
- Nightline: Peer support from students from 6pm to 8am during term time (020 7631 0101)
- Samaritans: 116 123
- The Mix: Support for under 25s (0808 808 4994)
- Papyrus: support for under 35s (0800 068 41 41)
- SupportLine: 01708 765200
- Victim Support: free 24/7 National Support line and Live chat options (08 08 16 89 11)
- The Havens: specialist London centres for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted (0203 299 6900)
Urgent support
If there is an immediate risk to life, violence or another emergency, call 999.
You can contact campus security on +44 (0)20 8417 6666 where appropriate.
Contact us
Need more information?
Contact us to find the right person to reach out to, or call our switchboard on +44 (0)20 8417 9000.
