Harassment is unwanted conduct physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct - which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
The Equality Act 2010 (the 'Act') makes harassment unlawful where this is related to the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment may also be unlawful under the Act, including where a person is treated less favourable because they have submitted or refuse to submit to such behaviour in the past and where such previous harassing behaviour was of a sexual nature or related to gender reassignment or sex.
The University believes that conduct that amounts to harassment is unacceptable in our community. We strive to provide an inclusive and diverse environment for our members, where each of our members is able to feel safe in being who they are and in expressing their opinion. The University expects its members to do so respectfully.
Conduct that amounts to harassment may include:
Conduct that amounts to harassment may include:
- unwanted physical conduct or ‘horseplay’, including touching, pinching, pushing, grabbing, brushing past someone, invading their personal space and more serious forms of physical or sexual assault
- offensive or intimidating comments or gestures, or insensitive jokes or pranks
- mocking, mimicking or belittling a person’s disability
- racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist jokes, or derogatory or stereotypical remarks about a particular ethnic or religious group or gender
- outing or threatening to out someone as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans
- ignoring or shunning someone, for example, by deliberately excluding them from a conversation or a social activity.
A person may be harassed even if they were not the intended "target". For example, a person may be harassed by racist jokes about a different ethnic group if they create an offensive environment.
When considering if a conduct amounts to harassment, the University will take into account all circumstances of the case including the perception of the would be victim.
When considering if a conduct amounts to harassment, the University will take into account all circumstances of the case including the perception of the would be victim.