Get support if you're experiencing harassment or sexual misconduct

Our commitment

We are committed to making sure that students affected by sexual violence or harassment are supported. This commitment was created by the University of Bath, Bath Spa University, University of Bristol, UWE Bristol, and their respective Students’ Unions.

The Vice-Chancellors from each of the universities, and The Students’ Unions’ Presidents and Officers commit to the following:

• We will work to ensure our staff take a person-centred approach to support students affected by sexual violence or harassment. You will be heard, listened to, and supported by your University and Students’ Union.
• Sexual violence and harassment will not be tolerated by the universities or Students’ Unions.
• We will raise awareness of appropriate support and organisations to aid the recovery of students that have been affected by sexual violence and harassment.
• Students will be supported to report sexual violence or harassment should they wish to do so. This includes through external organisations.
• We will work together across the University of Bath, Bath Spa University, University of Bristol and UWE Bristol where cases include individuals from different institutions.
• We will provide our staff and students with the tools to speak up and address inappropriate behaviour by providing training, accessible online resources and clear reporting channels.
• The Universities and the Students’ Unions will actively work locally with external organisations to address sexual violence and harassment.
• We will work preventatively to help students understand consent and will take an educative approach to tackling sexual violence and harassment.
• We understand that certain groups are more at risk of sexual violence and harassment. We will take an intersectional approach to support.
• We will ensure that our policies and procedures are aligned to support this pledge.

Freedom of speech

UWE Bristol is committed to ensuring that policies addressing harassment and sexual misconduct do not inadvertently restrict lawful freedom of speech. This balance is essential to upholding both student safety and academic freedoms.

The condition of registration explicitly requires the University to act in compliance the principles of freedom of speech and academic freedom. Freedom of speech is protected under the Education (No. 2) Act 1986, which places a duty on universities to ensure freedom of speech within the law. The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 further strengthens these protections, requiring providers to actively promote and protect lawful free speech on campus.

Policy and procedures

Below are key resources that help ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff at the university.

• Policies
• People and Organisation Development policies and procedures
  • Personal relationships at work policy (PDF)
  • Dignity and respect policy (PDF)
• Student conduct and reporting incidents
• Complaints

Other policies:

• Student Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Policy (PDF)
• Fitness to Study Policy (PDF) (see Fitness to Study Policy principles)
• Professional Suitability Policy (PDF)
• External Speaker Policy (PDF)
• Freedom of Speech Policy and Code of Practice (PDF)

Training materials

Stay safe, skill up: training for students

We encourage you to complete the stay safe, skill up training for students available on Infohub (SSO log in required).

Stay safe, skill up

Training available to staff

There are two e-learning modules available to staff on our MyLearning platform (log in required).

Responding to disclosure of unwanted sexual incidents

Prevention of sexual harassment in HE

Monitoring and transparency

Incident reporting statistics

Incident reporting statistics will be available September onwards.

Student and staff feedback

We invite feedback from students and staff through our Student Voice provision. Please reach out and get in touch with any feedback.

Policy Governance Framework

The UWE Bristol Policy Governance Framework provides a structured, values-led approach to the development, approval, implementation, and review of student and academic policies. Overseen by Academic Board, the framework ensures that all policies, procedures, and codes of practice uphold academic standards, enhance quality, and support continuous improvement of the student experience.

Policies are expected to be clear, inclusive, proportionate, and compliant with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements. The framework applies to all academic governance-related documents and informs corporate policy development, promoting consistency and transparency across the institution.

The policy development cycle comprises five key stages: initiation, design and drafting, approval, implementation and communication, and monitoring and review. Each policy has a designated Senior Policy Owner and Policy Author, with student and stakeholder engagement embedded throughout the process. Supporting documentation, including equality analysis, risk registers, and implementation plans, is required to ensure robust development and operationalisation.

Policies must follow a standard format, be published on the university website, and undergo regular review, at least every three years, to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness. Compliance is monitored through the Annual Academic Assurance Reporting process.

This framework supports UWE Bristol’s commitment to good academic governance and provides assurance to the Board of Governors and external regulators that institutional policies are fit for purpose, consistently applied, and aligned with sector best practice.

Compliance statement

At UWE Bristol, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of our university community. In line with the Office for Students’ (OfS) Condition of Registration E6 on harassment and sexual misconduct, which comes into force on 1 August 2025, we have taken steps to ensure our policies and procedures meet regulatory expectations.

Our institutional approach is underpinned by a single, accessible, and comprehensive source of information that outlines our policies and procedures relating to harassment and sexual misconduct. This includes clear guidance on reporting mechanisms, support services, and the responsibilities of staff and students. These policies are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with the OfS content and prominence principles. 

UWE Bristol’s policies are fully aligned with the legal definitions and protections set out in the Equality Act 2010, particularly Section 26, which defines harassment as unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. Our definitions also reflect the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, ensuring consistency with UK law.  

We have also implemented specific measures to address intimate personal relationships between staff and students, in accordance with E6.5 and E6.6. These include clear disclosure requirements designed to prevent conflicts of interest and protect students from potential abuses of power.

Our Bullying and Harassment Policy and Sexual and Domestic Violence, Abuse and Harassment Statement, developed in partnership with The Students’ Union at UWE, reflect our zero-tolerance stance and our commitment to survivor-centred support.  These documents are publicly available and form part of our broader strategy to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion across the university.

UWE Bristol remains committed to continuous improvement in this area, working collaboratively with students, staff, and external partners to ensure our campus remains a safe and supportive place for all.