Taking steps to protect our students
At Fairfield School of Business, 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.
This page has information on the following: click on a heading to scroll down.
- What counts as harassment or sexual misconduct?
- How we expect members of our Academic Community to behave
- Personal relationships between students and staff
- How to Disclose a Concern
- How we investigate disclosures of harassment or sexual misconduct
- Internal investigations into breaches of conduct
- Supporting people affected
- Training and guidance for students
- Where to find help outside of FSB
- Use of Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- Freedom of Speech
What counts as harassment or sexual misconduct?
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, this could be:
- Verbal: Making offensive jokes, using slurs or nicknames, making derogatory comments about a person’s background, religion, or identity.
- Social: Deliberately excluding someone from conversations or activities, spreading malicious rumours.
- Written/Online: Sending offensive emails or messages, posting discriminatory comments on social media, creating offensive memes or images.
- Intrusive: Asking intrusive questions about a person’s private life, identity, or medical history.
Sexual Misconduct is a broad term for any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature. It can range from inappropriate comments to serious criminal offences. It is the unwanted nature of the behaviour that matters, not the intention behind it. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- sexual harassment;
- sexual assault; and
- rape.
Specific examples of sexual misconduct can include:
- Verbal: Catcalling, making unwelcome comments about a person’s body or appearance, telling sexually explicit jokes, repeatedly asking someone for a date after being refused, making intrusive remarks about a person’s sex life.
- Non-Verbal: Leering or staring in a sexually suggestive way, making sexual gestures, displaying sexually explicit images or materials.
- Physical: Unwanted touching, hugging, or kissing; invading someone’s personal space; blocking their path; sexual assault and rape.
- Online/Digital (Cyber-harassment): Sending unwanted sexually explicit messages or images (“cyber-flashing”), sharing private sexual images of someone without their consent, stalking someone on social media.
Sexual misconduct 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.
How we expect members of our Academic Community to behave
All members of FSB’s community have a personal responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect.
The behaviour described above is completely unacceptable and violates FSB’s Codes of Conduct.
FSB takes a zero-tolerance stance on sexual misconduct; if you engage in such behaviour, FSB will take action, up to and including withdrawing you as a student at the School, or dismissing you as an employee, and prohibiting your access to our facilities.
We expect members of our community to challenge inappropriate behaviour if they encounter it, but we understand that it may not be easy to confront someone directly, particularly if you feel intimidated or concerned about the consequences of doing so.
In any case, you should always bring this behaviour to our attention using the disclosure procedures below so that we can investigate thoroughly.
Personal relationships between students and staff
FSB recognises that adults have a right to a private life and socialising between colleagues and staff with students is a positive aspect of being an active member of FSB’s community, however people should be aware of what is appropriate, particularly between students and staff members who have academic, pastoral or other professional duties to them.
FSB prohibits relevant staff members from starting or pursuing intimate personal relationships with students.
A relevant staff member means a member of staff who has, or will have academic, pastoral, or other professional responsibilities in relation to that student.
An Intimate Personal Relationship means a relationship that involves one or more of the following:
- physical intimacy including isolated or repeated sexual activity; or
- romantic or emotional intimacy.
This is to protect people from the risks that such relationships can present within an educational setting, such as perceived or actual abuses of power or conflicts of interest which may undermine the integrity of academic awards. It is also intended to protect staff from allegations of improper professional behaviour or harassment.
By ‘Abuse of Power’ we mean a situation where a someone exploits a position of power to pressure someone into doing something they wouldn’t have done otherwise or not doing something they were going to do. Abuses of power can take various forms and may include manipulation, coercion, grooming or exerting pressure on others to engage in conduct they do not feel comfortable with.
Pre-existing relationships:
Any personal intimate relationship that started before 1st August 2025 is not subject to the above prohibition; however, we need to be aware of any intimate personal relationship with a staff member so that we can manage the risks associated with it accordingly.
All declarations about personal relationships will be treated in the strictest confidence, and the wishes of both parties respected as far as possible. This includes same sex relationships where the parties may not be “out” publicly.
You can read our full policy on Personal Relationships here: https://fsb.ac.uk/school-policies/
This policy is intended for employees of FSB; however, we recommend that students are aware of it.
How to disclose a concern
You can raise your raise your concern with any member of staff whom you feel comfortable talking to. All of our members of staff are trained to receive disclosures of abuse and to support you though the process of reporting a concern.
Alternatively, you may wish to directly contact FSB’s Designated Safeguarding Leads staff.
If you feel a student or another member of the public is in immediate danger, call 999.
Campus Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Croydon:
Zerka Sahak zerka.sahak@fairfield.ac
Alexander Cardenas alexander.cardenas@fairfield.ac
Digbeth:
Uzma Gilani uzma.Gilani@fairfield.ac
Mustafa Kasim mustafa.kasim@fairfield.ac
Leicester:
Simran Johal Simran.Johal@fairfield.ac
Ellis Roborts ellis.roberts@fairfield.ac
Sheffield:
Eloise Orchard ellie.orchard@fairfield.ac
Luton:
Zoya Bukhari zoya.bukhari@fairfield.ac
Jemuel Gad jemmuel.gad@fairfield.ac
If you want to speak to someone outside of your campus:
Institutional Safeguarding Lead:
Ali Dawn
Student Life Cycle and Enhancement Manager
How we respond to disclosures of harassment or sexual misconduct
How we respond to concern, will depend on the type of situation and how severe the risk of harm is. It will also depend on whether the behaviour being disclosed was from another student or staff member of FSB.
You can read our framework for responding to safety and safeguarding concerns here:
https://fsb.ac.uk/about-us/safeguarding-framework/
- All disclosures will be treated sensitively, and we will always seek your consent before sharing any personal information (however please bear in mind that if there is immediate risk to life or serious harm, we may need to act straight away).
- We will provide you with a private and safe space in which to make a declaration (this will usually be quiet place on campus).
- Our safeguarding officers will provide you with guidance so that you can make an informed choice as to the course of action that is right for you.
Our Safeguarding Leads will assess the situation and work with the Associate Dean of your campus to ensure that any urgent risks arising are addressed immediately. We will then consider the most appropriate way of supporting you and keeping your learning on track.
Internal investigations into breaches of conduct
Where there is any breach of the School’s Codes of Conduct by one of our students, staff members or a visitor on campus, this may require an internal investigation to fairly and accurately assess the situation.
Following an initial disclosure about another students’ behaviour, the Designated Safeguarding Lead and your campus’ Associate Dean will first address any immediate safety concerns; this might result involve the physical separation of people pending an investigation, up to an including the suspension of individuals where there is clear evidence that they pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others.
Students will receive support at each stage of the investigation process. This support is also available to those facing allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.
The process followed when investigating students’ behaviour and possible breaches of conduct can be read in the Student Disciplinary Procedures here, and will adhere to the following principles:
- To ensure investigations are fair and objective, we will ensure that no person investigating an incident has a relationship with either the complainant(s) or the alleged perpetrator(s).
- To protect the individuals involved, no person involved in conducting an investigation will divulge any information about the matter or persons under investigation, that could affect their social or academic standing until the investigation has concluded.
- To ensure investigations are timely, the Institutional Safeguarding Lead will ensure that they are concluded within 20 days of the initial disclosure.
- The outcome of an investigation, and any disciplinary sanctions agreed will be communicated to all partied involved.
- Both the complainant and the perpetrator shall have recourse to appeal the decision of the disciplinary process, where the grounds for such an appeal are met.
Anyone who is giving evidence or making a case to an investigatory panel can be accompanied by a friend or a member of the Student Union for moral support, although this person may not represent them in their place.
Any suspected breaches by staff shall be referred though the staff disciplinary procedures, which are overseen by the School’s Human Resources Team.
Supporting people affected
Students who have been personally affected may be referred to Student Support and Welfare Services regarding any pastoral or welfare concerns.
If the concern impacts the student’s studies, then they may need extra support arranged through their lecturers, Personal Academic Tutors, or Academic Support.
If the concern has affected the student’s ability to complete any coursework assessments or prepare for a timed assessment (e.g an exam), then they may be eligible for an Extenuating / Mitigating Circumstance claim. Personal Academic Tutors or Student Support and Welfare Services can advise on this.
In some instances, it may be recommended for Student Support and Welfare Services to contact an external organisation, depending on the nature of the disclosure.
- If there is an urgent, but not immediate concern, then NHS services can be contacted by dialling 111. If the urgent concern is with regard mental health, then option ”2” should be chosen
- For disclosures of sexual assault, abuse, or misconduct, students may be referred to the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
Any such referral will be made with your expressed consent and in accordance with our protocols for sharing information about people at risk.
FSB may also signpost external support services and charities such as those given below.
Training and guidance for students
The Office for Students requires higher education providers like FSB to make sure our students and staff understand the steps we are taking to protect them from harassment and sexual misconduct, as well as the responsibility we all have to create a safe and productive learning environment.
When you enrol as a student of FSB, you will receive an induction which includes:
- general awareness about harassment and sexual misconduct, and how to recognise it,
- what to do if you experience or witness it,
- how you can disclose a concern to us, and how we will respond to that concern.
This training is mandatory part of the induction, and we expect everyone to complete it. However, we understand that this can be very sensitive topic of discussion for some people, and we can make alternatives arrangements for people who do not wish to participate in this exercise.
To learn more about the work that the OfS does to promote the interests of students in higher education, please visit:
Student guide to harassment and sexual misconduct – Office for Students
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
Use of Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
While confidentiality clauses and non-disclosure agreements have their legitimate place in protecting personal and proprietary information, intellectual property, and strategic interests, Fairfield School of Business is unequivocally committed to ensuring that NDAs are never used to silence or prevent individuals from speaking out about experiences of harassment, discrimination, or other forms of misconduct.
FSB will not use NDAs to prevent anyone from reporting harassment or discrimination to the appropriate internal channels (for example to Student Support and Welfare Services, designated safeguarding officers or the FSB Student Union) or to external regulatory bodies or law enforcement.
You can read our full NDA Policy here
Freedom of Speech
Nothing in our policies or procedures for responding to harassment or sexual misconduct should be taken as prohibiting or limiting FSB’s commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech.
As an academic institution, FSB encourages research, teaching and healthy debate on topics related to safeguarding including mental health, harassment, sexual misconduct, radicalism and extremism as part of any relevant programme of study or research activity. Additionally, FSB recognises the need for full and frank discussion on its obligations with regards to safeguarding its students.
Our policies and procedures affirm our dedication to transparency, accountability, and the protection of our community members, ensuring that confidentiality agreements serve their intended purpose without compromising the fundamental right to speak out against injustice.
See FSB’s Academic Freedom Policy and Code of Conduct for more information.
Updates to this page:
June 2025 – First upload (1.0)
Comprehensive source of information relating to policies and procedures in place to protect Students from Harassment and Sexual Misconduct whist studying at FSB.
June 2025 – Second upload (1.1)
Minor changes to the introduction and information on reporting procedures.
July 2025 (2.0)
Information added related to training requirements, staff and student relationships, non-disclosure agreements and Investigating suspected misconduct.
