At FSB, we want our students to excel in their studies, and we are here to support you with regards to anything that hinders you from thriving. We understand that experiencing or witnessing harassment, abuse, or sexual misconduct can be extremely difficult, and we are here to support you if you are having to deal with this either at FSB or in your personal lives.
Our students should be able to study in a safe environment, free from harassment and/or sexual misconduct, and we will not tolerate this or any other forms of inappropriate or intimidating behaviour on our campuses.
If you are concerned about anybody’s behaviour, we encourage you to come forward to discuss it with us. Fairfield School of Business has policies and reporting procedures in place to deal with these situations and protect the wellbeing of its community. Note that this relates to any concerns or incidents which affect one or more students, including the conduct of students towards students, and the conduct of staff towards students.
We have given some examples below to help you to recognise these kinds of behaviours and understand why they are harmful.
Our Policies
Please note that we are currently consulting on changes to our policies and reporting procedures in response the Office for Students’ (OfS) requirements with regards to student harassment, sexual misconduct, and intimate relationships between staff and students. To learn more about these requirements, or the work that the OfS does to promote the interests of students in higher education, please visit:
Our Student Support Policy sets out our overall approach to supporting students with any of their administrative, pastoral, or welfare needs. This includes students with any physical impairments, mental health issues, disabilities or learning differences or any other concerns with regards to their wellbeing and welfare.
If you are concerned about the wellbeing of any students at Fairfield School of Business, including any concerns or incidents relating to harassment or sexual misconduct, then please refer to our Safeguarding-Policy.pdf
Our Dignity-Policy sets out how we ensure that FSB remains a professional, supportive, environment for staff and students, including our position on intimate relationships between staff and students.
Our Employee Handbook provides guidance for staff on relationships between staff members, and between staff and students. The Handbook also provides guidance for staff of dealing with unwanted attention from students.
Our Reporting Procedures
For Students and Visitors:
If you are a student or a visitor, and you want to raise a concern about harassment, sexual misconduct, or any other harmful or inappropriate behaviour, then you can:
- Raise your concern with any member of staff whom you feel comfortable talking to
- Talk to our Student Support and Welfare Services
- Raise you concern with the Campus Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Raise you concern with the Institution Designated Safeguarding Lead (or their deputy)
- Submit a formal complaint through FSB’s complaints procedures
For Staff:
If you are a member of staff and you have a concern about a student’s behaviour, then you can:
- Raise your concern with your Line Manager or Campus Dean
- Raise your concern with the Campus Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Raise your concern with the Institution Designated Safeguarding Lead (or their deputy)
Where to find help outside of FSB:
Rape Crisis England & Wales
24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222
https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/
Brook
Advice on sex and consent
https://www.brook.org.uk/your-life/sex-and-consent/
The Mix
Support for young people in the UK and guidance around sex & relationships
https://www.themix.org.uk/sex-and-relationships
GALOP
Advice and support for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence.
National helpline – 0800 999 5428
The Survivors Trust
A national organsiation supporting support services in the UK.
Free, confidential helpline available 7 days a week – 0808 801 0818
Samaritans
A national organisation supporting service in the UK. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 116 123 for free
Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
Harassment:
Harassment is any unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. A single incident can amount to harassment.
Harassment is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010 if it relates to age, disability, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or if it is conduct of a sexual nature (sexual harassment).
Sexual Harassment:
Sexual harassment (or sexual misconduct) is any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment. Sexual harassment may include, for example:
- unwanted physical conduct or “horseplay”, including touching, pinching, pushing and grabbing.
- unwelcome sexual advances or suggestive behaviour (even if the harasser perceives it as harmless).
- Sexual harassment is complex and may not always be obvious or follow an easily recognisable pattern. It is important to note that:
- a person can experience unwanted conduct from someone of any gender.
- conduct may be unwanted even if the person subject to it does not expressly object to it.
- sexual conduct that has been welcomed in the past can become unwanted.
