If you’ve been subjected to harassment related to a protected characteristic, it can leave you feeling hurt, frightened, anxious, angry or isolated. There’s no right or wrong way to feel, and you can do something about it. 

Harassment related to a protected characteristic is unacceptable, against university policies and prohibited under the Equality Act 2010. 

What is harassment?

Harassment related to a protected characteristic is unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. The unwanted conduct can be physical, verbal or non-verbal. The behaviour can be a one-off incident, a series or a pattern of incidents. 

This type of harassment will be related to one or more of the following seven protected characteristics: 

  • sex
  • age
  • race/nationality 
  • gender identity 
  • sexuality
  • disability or 
  • religion/belief 

If you have been subjected to general harassment unrelated to a protected characteristic, read our article on general harassment. [Add link]

Other forms of harassment protected under the Equality Act 2010 include Sexual Harassment [Add link] and less favourable treatment as a result of harassment [Add a link].

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.

Bullying behaviour can be harassment by a protected characteristic if it meets the definitions on this page.

It’s possible that harassment related to a protected characteristic could also be a hate crime. [Add link] 

It is also possible to experience harassment by association (for example, you have a disabled family member); you are protected from this type of harassment by the Equality Act 2010. You can access the support or report it if you experience harassment by association. 

Important considerations for demonstrating harassment has taken place include:

  • the perception of the person who is at the receiving end of the harassment 
  • the other circumstances of the case
  • whether it is reasonable for the conduct to have that effect
  • Offensive or intimidating comments or gestures, or insensitive jokes or pranks about someone’s race. 
  • Mocking, mimicking or belittling a person’s disability.
  • Sexist or ageist jokes.
  • Derogatory or stereotypical remarks about someone’s gender identity.
  • 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 because of their religious or philosophical beliefs. 

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]. 

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. 

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.

  • Harassment linked to protected characteristics is often minimised or dismissed by others; don’t contribute to that.
  • Avoid playing down what happened or making excuses for the perpetrator.

Understand the Context

Harassment related to identity often isn’t an isolated incident — it can be part of wider patterns of discrimination or marginalisation.

  • Acknowledge that their experience may be shaped by repeated exposure to prejudice or exclusion.
  • You don’t have to fully “understand” their experience — just accept that it’s real and valid.

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?”
  • 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].

Educate yourself

  • Take the responsibility to learn more about the forms of discrimination connected to their experience (e.g., racism, ableism, homophobia) so they don’t have to carry the burden of explaining everything to you. This is a great way to show someone you care about them. This is allyship in action, and you can read more about allyship on our dedicated webpages [insert link].

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There are two ways you can tell us what happened

Share anonymously or Share with contact details