Harassment and bullying are never acceptable and have no place in an educational establishment. We are committed to creating a learning environment where everyone can thrive, and help is available if you are being targeted by a student or member of staff.
The University and the Department consider all forms of harassment as extremely serious. Harassment of people at work or in the learning environment is a form of discrimination, which is prohibited by law. The University is committed to eliminating harassment experienced by students and staff and will take steps to investigate complaints thoroughly. Action taken following investigation of complaints will involve both informal and formal procedures. Formal procedures may include instigation of the University disciplinary procedure, which may include expulsion or dismissal. Complaints will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and investigations will be carried out impartially.
Appropriate members of the University community have received training in dealing with Personal Harassment and are part of a Harassment Network. They are available to any member of staff or student to offer confidential advice and information. Dawn Chittenden (Office Manager) in the Undergraduate Office (C102) is a member of the Harassment & Bullying Network.
What Is Harassment?
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/harassment/definitions
Personal harassment is any behaviour which is unacceptable to the recipient and which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for employment, study or social life. Although harassment is often thought of as an overt use of power, it can also appear in more subtle guises.
Bullying is offensive behaviour which violates a person's dignity, or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment, or which humiliates or undermines an individual or group. Such behaviours can be vindictive, cruel or malicious. Bullying can take various forms, from name calling, sarcasm, teasing, and unwarranted criticism to threats of violence or actual physical assault.
The following points are important:
An action or statement does not have to be repeated over a long period of time to be defined as harassment. A single statement or action may constitute harassment.
Even behaviour which is not meant to cause offence or distress may do so.
It is the impact of the words or action, not the underlying intent which is important.
Anyone can suffer from harassment.
Health, physical characteristics, personal beliefs and numerous other factors may lead to harassment.
Harassment can occur between people of the same or different genders.
Differences of culture, language and attitude, or misinterpretation of social signals may mean that what is perceived as offensive behaviour or language by one person may not seem so to another.
Sexual Harassment: A form of sex discrimination, it involves unwanted sexual attention which emphasises sexual status over a person's individual status.
Racial Harassment: A form of racial discrimination, involving offensive behaviour by a person or group of one racial or ethnic origin against a person or group of another.
The Students’ Union “Take Racism Seriously” campaign has been set up to tackle racism on campus in all its forms. Find out more here. Part of the campaign is an email address where you can report racist incidents of any magnitude: reportracism@sheffield.ac.uk.
Other forms of Personal Harassment: Harassment may take many forms and people can be subject to harassment on a variety of grounds including sexual orientation, religious or political convictions, age, real or suspected infection with AIDS/HIV, or disability.
What You Should Do If You Are the Victim of Personal Harassment
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/harassment/support
If you believe you are being subjected to harassment of any form, you do not have to feel it is your fault and you do not have to tolerate it. There are several steps you can take:
If you feel comfortable and safe doing so, you may wish to speak to the alleged harasser yourself, making it clear that their behaviour is unacceptable and you wish it to stop.
Contact a member of staff whom you feel comfortable with. This may be your tutor or any other member of the academic staff. If in doubt, contact Dr Patrick Baker or one of the Year Tutors.
Contact a member of the Harassment & Bullying Network such as Dawn Chittenden (Office Manager) in the Undergraduate Office (C102). They will be able to provide you with advice, information and help, in the strictest confidence.
Use this form to get in touch with a harassment adviser outside the Department.
Once contacted, any of the people above will be able to advise you on the steps which will be taken to investigate the complaint and improve the situation. While many cases will be resolved through the informal procedure, formal action is available, and will be invoked if appropriate. During all investigations or complaints, the alleged harasser will have the opportunity to give a clear account of their case and to be represented. Any action, informal or formal, will only be taken with your permission.