Experiencing bullying, harassment or hate incidents can be really distressing, and may leave you feeling unsafe, isolated, or unsure of what to do next. These behaviours might affect your confidence, wellbeing, and sense of safety and belonging, but you do not have to deal with that alone.
Support is available at the University, whether that鈥檚 support pursuing formal reporting and investigation procedures, support with a relationship, wellbeing support, or practical steps that may help you feel safer.
At the 黑料吃瓜网, bullying, harassment, and hate incidents are #NeverOK. The University is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful community.
What are bullying harassment and hate incidents?
Bullying is repeated behaviour that aims to hurt, intimidate, undermine, or humiliate someone. This may be action from an individual or a group. It could involve verbal abuse, exclusion, spreading rumours, or online targeting, and may be done openly or more secretively.
Harassment is unwanted behaviour that violates someone鈥檚 dignity including behaviour that aims to intimidate, degrade, humiliate or cause distress or alarm to someone. This can relate to a person鈥檚 identity or personal characteristics. Harassment might include intrusive or offensive comments, unwanted contact, or persistent and unwelcome attention.
Sexual harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which intends to create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. This might include sexual comments or jokes, intrusive questions about someone鈥檚 sex life or relationships, persistent sexual advances, staring or unwanted touching like purposefully brushing against someone.
Hate incidents are any incident that is motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a protected characteristic such as race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender identity, whether this is perceived or actual. Hate incidents may include verbal abuse, threats, physical harm, or damage to someone鈥檚 property. Hate incidents which meet the legal threshold of a crime are called hate crimes and can be reported to the police. Whether the behaviour would be defined as a crime or not, the impact can be significant.
All of these behaviours may take place online or in person, or a mix of both.
You don't need to know exactly how to describe your experience before asking for help. There is often overlap, or you might use entirely different words to describe your experience. Don't let that stop you from reaching out for support 鈥� if someone鈥檚 behaviour has impacted you, there is help available.
What you can do now
If you think you have experienced bullying, harassment, or a hate incident, there are steps you can take to help yourself feel safer and supported. You are in control of what happens next, and you don't have to go through this alone.
If you are in immediate danger:
- if you are concerned for your safety or are worried that someone else may be at immediate risk of harm, call 999 for emergency services
- if you are in 黑料吃瓜网 and need urgent support from the University (for example, help finding a safe space), contact University Security on 01225 383999 or use the SafeZone app
Try to move to a safe place where you can take a moment, breathe, and contact someone you trust or a support service.
After the incident(s)
- if you think you might have experienced a hate incident which may be a criminal offence and is therefore a hate crime, you can choose to report to the police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency)
- if you feel able to, it can be helpful to write down what happened as soon as possible, even brief notes can help
- if there were witnesses or you have messages, screenshots, or other evidence, it can be helpful to keep them somewhere safe in case you decide to report it later
- you could speak to a trusted friend, flatmate, colleague, or member of staff. Sharing what happened can help you feel less alone
- you could reach out to a University or external service for support, see more about your options below
Look after yourself
The impact of experiencing bullying, harassment or hate incidents can continue even after the event is in the past or the behaviour has stopped. Whether it happened recently or sometime ago, your wellbeing matters.
Remember:
- you are not to blame. The responsibility for bullying, harassment and hate lies solely with the person who behaved this way
- there鈥檚 no 鈥渞ight鈥� way to feel. Everyone processes things differently. Give yourself permission to feel what you feel
- take your time, there鈥檚 no deadline for healing, be patient with yourself and move forward at your own pace
- take care of your wellbeing ,small acts of self-care, such as getting enough rest, eating well, being active, spending time with people you trust, or doing things you enjoy, can all help
Victim Support have a useful guide on guide.
People you can talk to
At the University:
- contact the Support & Report team; if you provide your contact details a specialist member of Student Support and Safeguarding staff will contact you to discuss options and next steps
- speak to a Student Support Advisor at the Roper Centre, 4 West. They can help you with support and advice and refer you to other specialist teams if needed
These teams will listen and support you. You鈥檒l never be pressured into any course of action, such as making a formal report, and our Wellbeing Teams can also provide emotional support if you need. What you tell us will remain confidential - the only time we would act without your permission is if you or someone else is at risk of harm, and this is very rare.
Outside of the University:
There are lots of organisations dedicated to supporting people who have experienced bullying, harassment or hate incidents. This includes specialist support for racially or religiously motivated incidents, and for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Bullying:
- 鈥� provide practical support helpline for anyone experiencing bullying
- are an online advice and support community for young people up to the age of 25 who have experienced bullying
- offer advice and support for if you think you have been treated unfairly
Hate incidents:
- are a group of six local organisations working to support victims of hate crime and discrimination, including SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) and Bristol Law Centre (support covers 黑料吃瓜网 for most of the organisations)
- 鈥痮ffer support anyone who has been the victim of a crime, including support to cope with the after-effects of crime and help with reporting to the police (you do not need to have reported the crime to the police to access their help)
- you can report a crime to the police by calling the non-emergency number,鈥�101鈥�(or 999 for emergencies), or鈥�
- 鈥痠s a helpline for anyone experiencing Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of their identity
Online bullying harassment and harm:
- 鈥痵upport victims of cybercrime, digital鈥痜raud鈥痑nd online harm
Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate:
- submit a report to who support victims of anti-Muslim hate, and have a system for measuring and monitoring anti-Muslim incidents
- 鈥痟ave a helpline鈥痯roviding confidential support and safe reporting for victims of anti鈥慚uslim hate across the UK
Antisemitism:
- is鈥痑 charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats, including through their
LGBTQ+:
- support LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse, harassment, or hate crime, including via helpline and webchat
Final thoughts
Bullying, harassment, and hate incidents can have a lasting impact, but support is available.
Whatever your experience, it is valid, and reaching out for help can be an important step towards feeling safer and more supported. You can choose what feels right for you, whether that鈥檚 talking to someone, exploring support options, or making a report.
This guide was written by Student Support in partnership with students.