1. Please note this session makes reference to issues relating to sexual harassment/assault/violence which may be distressing to some.
You are welcome to leave before or during this session begins.
If you need support afterwards please call the University’s Student Health and Wellbeing Service on

2. CHANGING THE CULTURE Nicky Houghton Senior Student Policy Manager
Student Progress Service
CHANGING THE CULTURE

3. Welcome We are delighted you have joined us.
Success of our students is important to us and is part of what makes this University a success.
We want to work with our students to support you to achieve success and enable you to realise your potential.
We want you to enjoy this experience and University is committed to providing a positive environment for all its students.
Style sheet – extra type features 3

4. changing the culture project
In 2016, Universities UK published a report into ‘Sexual Violence on UK Campuses. In recognition of this and in response to the recommendations, we established a 'Changing the Culture' Project.
This project is championed within the University by Professor Suzanne Cholerton (PVC Education) and Lesley Braiden (Academic Registrar).
The University believes all our students are entitled​ to enjoy a safe and positive experience and we have a responsibility to make every effort to ensure that this is the case. 

5. changing the culture project
We are working in partnership with staff and students to look at ways of combatting sexual violence and hate crime on campus.
The work being undertaken to challenge sexual misconduct and hate crime on campus is an important part of our University's commitment to establishing a community in which respect is a shared and cherished value.

6. changing the culture project
A priority for the project is to enable students to report misconduct anonymously.
It will be important to ensure that our students know how to access the reporting system and have confidence in our response. 
It is an essential part of our duty to support the safety and well-being of students and staff, and promote a culture in which sexual violence, hate crime and other inappropriate behaviours are not tolerated.
We (both students and staff) all have a part to play.

7. Respect is important
Respect for others is essential to the functioning of an academic community and the University.
For Yourself – allowing yourself the best chance of success
For Fellow Students – both working and socialising
Members of Staff – learning is a shared endeavour
In the Community – you are representing the University
Treat others with courtesy, fairness and respect regardless of their personal circumstances, race, ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion and belief, disability or political views.

8. Respect is important
Students are key partners in achieving the University’s aims and the Student Charter outlines your Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities alongside the Behavioural Expectations we have of you.
We expect you to conduct yourself in a reasonable manner at all times, both on and off Campus and there is ‘Zero tolerance to sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying’.
Any report of misconduct will be investigated via the Student Disciplinary Procedure. If a student is found guilty of misconduct a range of sanctions can be applied from a warning through to expulsion.

9. respectful relationships
It is important to the University that:
Students feel supported and respected in their research environment
That there are healthy relationships with other students and with staff (academic and professional services) to prevent sexual violence, harassment and abuse.
Research students have very close relationships with their Supervisory Team, which are key to the success of doctoral studies. Essential that these are respectful supervisory relationships.

10. successful supervisory relationships
The following guidelines may help to lay the foundations for a successful supervisory relationship:
Mutual Respect and Trust
Critical in establishing a learning environment that provides high quality, supportive supervision that is more likely to lead to academic success.
Clarity of Roles, Responsibilities and Expectations for both Students and Staff
Academic and Behavioural outlined in:
Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes
Learning Agreement
Student Charter

11. successful supervisory relationships
Power Imbalance in Supervisory Relationships
Due to the influence that a supervisor can have on the success of a student’s studies, it is recognised that there is a considerable power imbalance to the relationship.
Never appropriate for a romantic or sexual relationship between a student and a supervisor.
Academic progress should never be dependent upon such a relationship.
Unacceptable Behaviour
We consider sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexist behaviour, gender based violence and hate crime to be unacceptable behaviour and no student should have to experience this.

12. successful supervisory relationships
Misconduct allegations are taken seriously.
The following types of misconduct allegations would normally be dealt with either by the Casework Team in Student Progress Service (rather than by a School/Service) if reported about a student:
Harassment (sexual, racial or bullying, including defamation).
Any Sexual misconduct/sexual impropriety, including: non-consensual sexual activity; sexual violence, assault; harassment and stalking.
Violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or language whilst on or off University premises.
Any misconduct reports about staff members would normally be passed to HR.

13. sources of university support
Student Health and Wellbeing Service
Information, advice and guidance on wide range of student support issues to help students maximise potential:
Wellbeing issues
Sexual Violent Survivor and Harassment Support
Counselling
Mental Health Issues
Disability Support
Financial Support
Based in King’s Gate Building

14. sources of university support
Casework Team
For safeguarding action & investigation under Student Disciplinary Procedures
All reports taken seriously
Consistency in Investigation
Independent
Based in King’s Gate Building

15. reporting We want to make it as easy as possible for a student to:
report a sexual/hate crime to the university
access appropriate help and support quickly
There are currently two mechanisms for students to report a sexual or hate crime:
Via crime incident report form at:
Report to casework team in Student Progress via

16. sources of university support
Campus Security
On site University security service in Barras building
24 hours a day 365 days a year
Easy to contact
Work closely with Northumbria Police
Contact number:
In an emergency: .

17. safezone app https://www.ncl.ac.uk/hr/support/safezone.php
For all students and staff that connects you directly to the university security team when you need help on campus.
Urgent help if you or someone near you feels threatened or is the victim of an assault or robbery, and call for First Aid or Help in less urgent situations.
When you raise an alarm or call for help, all on-campus security team members will be alerted to your situation and location so that they can co-ordinate to help you quickly and effectively.

18. NUSU - Resources and Signposting
The Student Advice Centre (first floor in NUSU)
NUSU ‘Help and Support’ page
Nightline
Welfare Officers/ Representatives within Clubs and Societies
NUSU Welfare and Equality Sabbatical
Police Liaison Officers
Police Liaison Officers
NUSU Respect
nusu.co.uk/respect
RESPECT

19. NUSU - ‘It Happens Here’
RESPECT

20. police drop-in surgery
Dedicated Campus Police Officer
PC Mick Miller
2 days a week (term time)
Tuesdays 12-2 at the Students Advice Centre in the SU
Thursdays 12-2 at Kingsgate

21. sources of local and national support
Victims First Northumbria - Confidential help and support to cope and recover from the impact of crime.
REACH -
Our local Sexual Assault Referral Centre, staff offer confidential support whether or not you wish to report an assault to the police.
Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland -
A charity providing free confidential support, information and counselling to women who have experienced sexual violence. They are completely independent of the criminal justice system including the police.

22. THANK YOU
Enjoy your studies.