Sexual Harassment and Violence

Professional support

The Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service provides professional and specialist support to students who have experienced sexual harassment and/or sexual violence. They also provide support to students who have been affected by domestic/relationship abuse and stalking. 

Specialist Caseworkers offer free, confidential advice and support to all current students, no matter where or when the incident/s took place. 

Any student who is seeking support for these issues should be signposted to the Support Service. Information on making a referral is at the bottom of this page. 

Responding to disclosures

Disclosures of sexual violence can be difficult to hear and often carry significant risk. A guidance document is available for student-facing staff to use in this instance. It is very important that in all cases students are given the option of a referral to specialist support. It is also important that staff do not provide this support and advice themselves.

If a student discloses that something has happened to them, remain calm and listen to what is being said. You should not ask questions or try to gain more information about what has happened to the student, unless there is a concern of immediate risk of harm, or any safeguarding concerns. 

You are advised to tell the student that the Support Service is available to them and encourage them to make an appointment. Further information on the provision is available on the Oxford Students website.

You can also refer a student yourself (with the student’s consent) and the Support Service will get in touch with them. 

If the incident relates to sexual violence and was very recent (less than seven days ago) please contact the Support Service for guidance via supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk as there may be time factors to consider.  

Domestic Abuse and Stalking

Domestic abuse and stalking can carry significant risk to those involved and affected. If a student discloses that they have concerns about abuse or violence, controlling and coercive behaviours, or are experiencing stalking, please ensure they are directed to the Support Service. The following includes some suggestions for how to navigate conversations regarding domestic abuse: 

• Remain non-judgemental, reassuring the individual it is not their fault and that they are deserving of support. 

• Validate their concerns and feelings. 

• Do not try to mediate or speak to the other party involved about the situation. 

• Ending a relationship can increase the risk to a victim – do not tell them to just leave or end the relationship, as this can require specialist guidance and support. 

• Encourage the student to seek advice from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.  

Referrals to the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service 

All student survivors are encouraged to self-refer by completing a short self-referral form. Most sections are optional.

If preferred, they can also email supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

There is information about the service available on the Oxford Students website.

Students who indicate that they would like to make a report to the police should be referred to the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA). 

Students referring to the ISVA service can refer themselves via this self-referral form. Staff can also refer via the third-party referral form with the student’s consent. 

Advice for staff

If you are a working with a student and have a concern or would like some advice or to discuss a disclosure you have received, the staff at the Support Service would be more than happy to have a no-name confidential conversation with you. You can contact the Support Service for guidance via supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

Students reported for sexual misconduct

A separate support service is also available for students who have been reported for sexual misconduct or accused of sexual harassment or violence. Reported students can receive confidential advice and support from a Specialist Caseworker. 

To refer into the service, students can complete a short self-referral form or email caseadvice@admin.ox.ac.uk 

Professionals and welfare staff 

If you are a working with a student and have a concern, or would like some advice or reassurance, we would be more than happy to have a no-name confidential conversation with you. You can contact the Support Service on supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk to arrange a phone call. 

Wider work of the Support Service 

The Support Service also works to reduce all forms of sexual harassment and violence by promoting culture change in the university and Oxford, but recognise that we cannot do this alone. We work closely with colleagues at OSARCC on intervention initiatives as well as statutory agencies locally (NHS and the police) to drive up the quality and quantity of their provision. 

We provide free training to staff and students within the University. More information on training can be found below. 

Staff training

The Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service provides a variety of training for current staff and students at the University. The key aims of our training are to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of sexual violence, ensure students receive safe and appropriate responses when seeking support, and to share details of the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service so that students can be signposted and referred with confidence. 

Sexual Violence Awareness training 

This 2-hour training session focuses on highlighting the prevalence of sexual violence in the University and broader community, the impact of sexual violence, and how to support and refer students to specialist support. The session includes interactive quizzes and small group discussions.  

The training is open access for anyone interested within the collegiate university, including students. 

Aims: 

• To understand key statistics and definitions relating to sexual violence and domestic abuse  
• To consider impacts of sexual violence  
• To learn about support services available to students  
• To explore barriers to disclosure and seeking support  
• To outline best practice for responding to disclosures  
• To understand how and where to refer on  
• To highlight the importance of self-care 

Upcoming training: 

• Thursday 14 November, 10:00-12:00 via Microsoft Teams
• Monday 9 December, 10:30-12:30 via Microsoft Teams

How to Book:

To sign up for training, or to be added to the mailing list for future dates, please complete this form. 

Responding to Incidents of Sexual Violence – Workshop for Porters 

This training is a free 3-hour, in-person workshop designed to upskill porters and other frontline staff in similar roles in how to respond to students following incidents of sexual violence. 

Aims:  

• To explore roles and responsibilities of Porters 
• To learn about trauma and the brain 
• To learn how to respond well to incidents of sexual violence 
• To manage disclosures 
• To manage the impact in teams 

Upcoming Training: 

• Friday 1 November 2024, 9:30-12:30 in person at 3 Worcester Street

How to Book:

If you are interested in attending, please email supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk 

Sexual Violence Workshop for College Welfare Teams 

This workshop, open only to college welfare teams, is on support options, risk and safeguarding, and responding well to students who disclose an incidence of sexual harassment or violence. The session is 3 hours in person, in a case study based workshop.  

The workshop is limited to staff acting in welfare and other relevant student facing roles. We encourage staff to attend together as a team where possible. This training is not appropriate for students, peer supporters or student welfare reps. 

Upcoming training: 

New dates to be announced soon. If you'd like to organise and host a workshop, please contact supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

How to book:

To express your interest in attending, or hosting a workshop at your college, please email supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk. 

Domestic Abuse Awareness Training 

This training from the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service is open to staff across the collegiate university working in a student welfare lead role, or similar. The training covers: 

• Prevalence of domestic abuse nationally and within the HE sector 
• Definitions of domestic abuse and coercive control, including recognising different types of abuse 
• Impacts of domestic abuse, including understanding the behaviour of victims 
• Barriers to identifying and disclosing domestic abuse 
• Specific challenges for students experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control 
• How to respond to disclosures and refer on 

If you are interested in attending, and wish to join the mailing list, please complete this form. 

Upcoming training: 

• Tuesday 10 December, 14:00-16:00 in-person at Merton College

To register your interest for future training, please complete this form. 

How to book:

Please complete this form. 

If you are having any difficulties booking onto training, or need to contact us, please email supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk.