We believe that bullying and harassment are never okay. Bullying and harassment are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the GSA's Dignity and Respect at Work and Study Policy.
Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened.
Bullying can happen face to face or via telephone, email and social media interaction.
Bullying can happen face to face or via telephone, email and social media interaction.
When this is in relation be related to a protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010, this is known as Harassment. Please see the 'Harassment' Support section for further information on support. The protected characteristics are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment (covers Trans and Non-binary)
- Marriage and Civil Partnership
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Race (covers Ethnicity and Nationality)
- Religion or belief (covers all faiths/beliefs and none)
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
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 bullying and harassment? It might be useful to think about what is meant by bullying and harassment 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.
Get Support
- Find out what support is available if you think you have been bullied
- https://respectme.org.uk/ Scotland's Anti Bullying Service
- https://victimsupport.scot/information-support/crime-information/crime-types/bulling/
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.