Harassment or stalking

If you’ve been subjected to harassment or stalking, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or isolated. There’s no right or wrong way to feel, and you can do something about it.

Harassment and stalking are unacceptable, against university policies and prohibited under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. You deserve to feel safe. 

This article explains what harassment is, your options, and where to find support.

If you have been subjected to harassment related to a protected characteristic, you can find out more about it on these support pages. [Add link]

What is harassment?

Harassment is when someone behaves in a way that causes you distress or alarm on more than one occasion. It doesn’t have to be violent — it can include things like:

  • Repeated unwanted contact (e.g., texts, emails, phone calls)
  • Threatening or intimidating behaviour
  • Damage to property
  • Following or watching you

Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, this behaviour becomes harassment when:

  • It happens more than once (a course of conduct), and
  • It causes you to feel distressed, humiliated, or threatened.

Course of conduct means there must be at least two occurrences of the unwanted behaviour, though the specific acts do not need to be identical. For example, one threatening text message and one aggressive face-to-face confrontation can collectively form a course of conduct.

Harassment can happen anywhere — at work, online, in your accommodation, or outside of the university setting.

If what you’ve experienced is a one-off incident, you can still tell us about it and get support through the reporting pages [insert link]

One of the objective tests for demonstrating that harassment has taken place is that the person knows the conduct amounts to harassment, or a reasonable person in possession of the same information would think the course of conduct amounted to harassment.

What is stalking? 

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that causes you to feel distressed or scared. 

Stalking can happen with or without a fear of violence. This means that if you are receiving persistent unwanted contact that is causing you distress, but the person has never threatened you, this is still stalking and is not acceptable.  

Stalking is a form of harassment; stalkers have an obsession with the person they're targeting.

Stalking may include: 

  • Following or watching you
  • Turning up uninvited at your home
  • Hanging around somewhere they know you will be
  • Identity theft (signing up to services, buying things in someone's name)
  • Writing or posting online about you 

Harassment is a criminal offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the Stalking Protection Act 2019:

I have been subjected to harassment or stalking

Your safety and wellbeing

  • Are you in danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999.
  • Find a safe space. If you feel unsafe, find a trusted person or safe space immediately.
  • Seek support. Consider whether you need medical support or emotional support (e.g., from a friend, family member, or a professional). Further information about support services [insert link] 

Document what happened

Write down what happened as soon as you can, including dates, times, places, and any witnesses. Keep any evidence (e.g., messages, emails, photos).

This is helpful whether or not you decide to report it.

Consider reporting and seeking a resolution

  • Report + Support. Students, staff and visitors can share the details of an incident [Insert link] using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or with your name and contact details. If you report with your name and contact details, you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor, they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
  • University Procedures and Resolution. If you choose to make a report to the University about a student or member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow and the possible resolutions available to you. Further information about procedures and resolution options. [insert link].
  • Share anonymously. You can choose to share anonymously, meaning no identifying information has to be shared. This option also includes the ability to opt into continued communication with a case worker. Further information about anonymous reporting [insert link]. 
  • Share with contact details. You can choose to share your experience and give your contact details so that you get a direct response. You can choose who your report goes to [insert link]. 
  • Reporting to the police. Harassment is a criminal offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. You have the right to report it. You do not have to choose between reporting to the university or the police; you can do both [insert link to further information]. 

Take your time

  • You don’t have to make decisions straight away. It’s okay to take the time you need to think about what’s right for you. 
  • Take the time to read and understand what your options are.
  • Request to speak to an advisor through Report + Support and discuss your options.

You might be able to apply for a restraining order or injunction to prevent further contact. Specialist organisations or legal advisers can help you explore this.

Where to get support

Organisations that can help you:

Someone I know has been subjected to harassment or stalking

Listen without judgement or interruption

  • Let them lead the conversation — focus on what they want to share.
  • Avoid asking “why” questions that could sound like blame.
  • Use phrases like:
    • “Thank you for telling me.”
    • “That shouldn’t have happened to you.”
    • “I’m here for you.”

Believe them

  • One of the most powerful things you can do is believe them.
  • Avoid playing down what happened or making excuses for the perpetrator.

Offer practical help and options

  • Ask what they would like from you:
    • “Would you like help reporting this?”
    • “Do you want me to come with you to speak to someone?”
    • “Would you like me to just sit with you while you decide?”
    • “Would you like me to walk home with you?”
  • Help them explore their options, but don’t pressure them to take any particular action.
  • Research options available to them (see section on I have experienced harassment or other pages on this site).

Respect their decisions

  • Whether they choose to report or not, that’s their choice.
  • If they don’t feel safe or ready to report, respect that decision.

Look after yourself too

  • Supporting someone through a difficult experience can also take an emotional toll on you. It’s okay to seek support yourself (without breaking their confidentiality).
  • Know your limits of how much you can support someone and what is too much for you to offer.

 Challenge harassment when safe

  • If you witness harassment in the future and feel it’s safe to do so, speak up or challenge it.
  • Learn more about bystander interventions [insert link].

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There are two ways you can tell us what happened

Share anonymously or Share with contact details