Harassment and sexual misconduct

The University is committed to creating a safe and respectful learning community in which all staff, students and visitors to the University are treated with dignity and respect. We expect all members of the community to act in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, the Worker Protection Act 2024 and the University Charter and its Statutes to support and promote the creation of a working environment free from sexual misconduct and harassment.

The University believes that sexual misconduct and harassment damages the working and learning environment and have a detrimental effect upon the wellbeing, health, confidence, morale and performance of those directly affected by such behaviour or who are witness to it.

Understanding harassment and sexual misconduct

We use harassment as a term to define any unwanted behaviour or conduct including harassment, bullying and victimisation which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

The term sexual misconduct is used to describe any kind of sexual activity that was unwanted or happened without consent, including online.  Anyone can be subjected to sexual violence, regardless of gender or sexuality. 

This webpage is the 'single comprehensive source of information' required by the Office for Students (OfS registration condition E6). It details the policies, training, disclosure process, and person-centred support the University of Birmingham has in place to effectively address and prevent incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct. All our services treat disclosures of sexual misconduct and harassment with appropriate confidentiality.