Harassment includes unwanted behaviour or actions by an individual or a group, which violate another person's dignity, or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual.
Harassment can happen to anyone but is often related to a protected characteristic. Protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 include: age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. The University believes that harassment is unacceptable even if it does not fall within any of these categories.
Harassment may include, for example:
- unwanted physical conduct including touching, pinching, pushing, grabbing, brushing past someone, invading their personal space and more serious forms of physical or sexual assault. (See more under Sexual Harassment section).
- flashing/genital exposure
- offensive or intimidating comments or gestures, intense staring, whistling, commenting on someones appearance
- mocking, mimicking, or belittling a person’s disability, gender, or race.
- racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist or ageist jokes, or derogatory or stereotypical remarks about a particular ethnic or religious group or gender
- 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.
- persistent and unwelcome targeting of a person through various online channels, including social media, email, messaging apps, online forums, or gaming platforms. See more under Digital Abuse section).
- persistent requests for someone’s name, number, or other information
- taking a photos or videos of someone without their consent
- unwanted gestures, comments or acts that may occur on the street or in similar public places. It predominantly affects women and non-binary people and is a form of Gender Based Violence (GBV) but can happen to anyone.
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.
In January 2023, a survey and report, commissioned by Crimestoppers found that more than a third (38%) of responders have been followed and nearly a quarter (23%) have witnessed flashing/genital exposure. Whilst the largest group of perpetrators were strangers, they were closely followed by classmates during their younger years, then acquaintances and colleagues in later life. Neighbourhood Watch reports that women of colour experience not only higher rates of public sexual harassment, but the type of harassment is often more targeted and more damaging. Racial language is coupled with sexist remarks.
Please note that where a complaint of harassment is raised under the University Dignity and Respect policy, the definition of bullying set out in that policy will apply to any actions under that policy.
The University expects all students to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner in their day-to-day activities, including in their dealings with other students, staff and external organisations. Students are expected to comply with University policies and regulations. Where they do not comply with these requirements, and where they disrupt University activities, then the University will follow relevant procedures to resolve matters, including the Code of Student Conduct.
Learn more about Police Scotland’s ‘THAT GUY’ sexual crime prevention campaign.
Learn more about Police Scotland’s ‘THAT GUY’ sexual crime prevention campaign.