Support from ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
Gender Based Violence may impact on your wellbeing and your studies - whether it is happening now, it happened in the past, or it happened to someone else. It can be difficult to talk about GBV, but we are here to listen and to help. Find out how ÐÔÊӽ紫ý can support you below, or learn about support from external services.
If you disclose GBV to ÐÔÊӽ紫ý staff, they are encouraged to follow the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Staff Guidance for Responding to Student Disclosures.
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Student support teams
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Student support teams
Our network of Student support staff are trained in listening and responding to sensitive matters such as Gender Based Violence, and can help you talk through your feelings and options.
- Wherever you may be learning, as a student of ÐÔÊӽ紫ý we can help you to access the support you might need such as wellbeing & counselling services, study support, or financial assistance.
- We can also direct you to external support, with your consent, such as Rape Crisis Scotland, Women’s Aid, or the Police. Unless we feel that you or someone else is at significant risk of harm, your journey of support and recovery is guided by you – we recognise that what works for one survivor, may not feel right for another.
Contact your campus Student support team, or if you are unsure where you are enrolled email support@uhi.ac.uk.
See the for contacting ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Student support.
Are my discussions about GBV confidential?
Are my discussions about GBV confidential?
If you choose to let ÐÔÊӽ紫ý know that you or someone you know may be at risk of GBV, or have experienced GBV, we will support you and give you (or the victim/survivor, if that isn't you) control and choice in how to proceed.
If you are at risk of harm, we may need to take steps to share information within ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, to ensure you get the most appropriate support from the best person - this might be your local Safeguarding Lead/s or Student Support Manager. Rarely, we may have a duty to contact the Police or Emergency Services, only if the risk of significant harm to you or someone else is very high. We may also need to share your information for Safeguarding purposes if you or someone else at risk is classed as a child, or classed as an 'adult at risk'.
We would always try to let you know, and work with you, to do this in the best way possible.
We would not share your disclosure, or be able to discuss it, with your family or friends. Sometimes we can share your information with an external support agency (e.g. Women's Aid) but only if you ask us to and consent to this.
External agencies that we link or signpost to may have their own policies and approaches to confidentiality.
Reporting another ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Student
Reporting another ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Student
As incidences of GBV are a breach of our Student Code of Conduct, you may wish to report the behaviour of another ÐÔÊӽ紫ý student to us for internal investigation. The student does not need to study at the same ÐÔÊӽ紫ý campus as you. You can ask any member of staff to help you do this, and they will follow the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Disciplinary Procedures. ‘Reporting’ in this way is different than making a disclosure to staff. You can disclose (tell staff what happened to you, without naming the student) and receive help and support without making a ‘report’, if you choose.
You can continue to access support from us, or external services, during a ÐÔÊӽ紫ý investigation. We will also take steps to assess the risk and put safety measures in place whilst the investigation is ongoing. We have a duty to also provide support to the accused student, though this will be provided by a separate member of staff.
Please note that whilst a police investigation is ongoing, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý will not hold an internal investigation for the same crime at the same time. However, we will continue to support you and risk assess as above. ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Disciplinary Procedures will not be able to access the same powers as the police and court systems.
We will not pressure you into making a report, but can talk you through what might happen. In rare circumstances where we believe there is significantly high risk to you or others, we reserve the right to investigate, even where this was not your choice, to ensure the safety of all.
Reporting a staff member to ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
Reporting a staff member to ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
If you wish to report a staff member (including contractors) to ÐÔÊӽ紫ý for Gender Based Violence, you should use the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Complaints Procedure. You can ask your local Student Support Team to help you do this, as well as explaining the process and alternative options such Reporting To The Police.
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý will risk assess and put safety measures in place whilst any investigation is underway.