Sexual violence and sexual assault
What is it?
Sexual violence is defined as a sexual act committed against someone without that person’s freely given consent, this includes completed or attempted acts and those that relate to alcohol/drug facilitated acts.
If you think someone you know has been sexually assaulted, there are lots of ways in which you can help them. How someone responds to a first disclosure can be really important. It can take time for a person to decide what they want to do and how to move forward. Listen to the person, do not dismiss or deny their experience, with their consent you could support them to access support services.
Tackling Sexual Misconduct and Shaping our University Culture
Why is it important to report incidents of sexual violence?
Reporting sexual assault will not change the past, but for some a report can help survivors seek justice and begin the healing process. It may prevent further incidents.
Your reporting options
1. You can report sexual violence to the Police:
- Call 999 in an emergency. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18000.
- Call 101 for non-emergencies. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18001 101.
2. You may wish to initially report to the University. You can do this via the links below:
- Share and Support provides options to report anonymously or to report and speak to an Adviser. An Adviser will listen to you in confidence and offer information, practical help and support. They can offer support to deal with the emotional effects of sexual violence and sexual assaults and help you get support from other organisations.
- Wellbeing Services offers practical advice to more intensive support to help make your time here at Huddersfield run as smoothly as possible.
- The Student Handbook of regulations details how to make a formal complaint. Colleagues in the Students’ Union and Student Services are able to advise on this process and offer alternative routes to resolve matters such as mediation or conciliation.
Further support
- The Students’ Union provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
- Sexual Misconduct find out more about sexual misconduct, the support available from the University and external services.
- Citizens Advice provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
- Rape Crisis provides a comprehensive information resources.
- Kirklees Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre provides local services, help guides and a confidential helpline.
- The Hazlehurst Centre provides support to people who have experienced sexual violence or abuse.
- Male Survivors Partnership and Survivors UK provide resources and links for men who have experienced sexual violence or assault.
Consent Matters
The short online course Consent Matters provides a safe space for all students to learn about consent.