Any form of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment is never okay. 

If you think you have been the target of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. What happened was not your fault. What you do next is your choice.

Such forms of unacceptable behaviour are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the GSA's Dignity and Respect at Work and Study Policy.


Think 
  • Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone).
  • Find a safe space.  If an incident has just happened try and find somewhere you feel safe. 
  • What are sexual misconduct and assault?  It might be useful to think about what is meant by sexual misconduct and assault and how these behaviours are described.  

Report
  • Report and Support. Students and staff can report an incident using the GSA's Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or 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.
  • GSA Procedure. If you choose to make a formal complaint to the GSA about a student or member of staff there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.
  • There will be limits to GSA's ability to progress reports that involve criminal activity and we would always encourage and support Police involvement. 

Get Support 

Find out what support is available if you think you have been sexually assaulted:
The NHS Scotland sexual assault self-referral phone service can help to arrange care for you in the days following a rape or sexual assault. The service may be able to arrange for you to have a forensic medical examination (FME) at a SARCS without making a report to the police https://www.nhsinform.scot/sarcs 
 

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Take care of yourself. It’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, the GSA's Counselling Service offers confidential help to students.  Register online via: https://live.uniticms.com/gsamhw/ to request a counselling appointment. 

If you are in immediate danger or are seriously injured, please call 999 (or 112 from a mobile).

If you need immediate support or feel in crisis, we have listed several emergency services contact details on GSA's external website that you may find helpful.

Students can access information on GSA's student services here

Staff can access information on GSA staff services here

Students and staff can also access support through: Papyrus Hopeline247 - Prevention of young suicide. This is a 24/7 service for young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, as well as for anyone who is concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Call 0800 068 41 41, text 07860039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org to stay safe or to keep someone safe from suicide. 
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