What to do if you have been subjected to Sexual Misconduct?

Swansea University enforces a zero-tolerance approach when addressing sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct is defined under the university's policy as:

'Students’ general misconduct of a sexual nature and includes (but is not limited) to rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault, obscene/indecent remarks etc. this list is not exhaustive and “any conduct of a sexual nature without consent” could be considered as sexual misconduct.'

Any form of sexual misconduct is never okay.

Where to Start?

When an incident happens, it can be distressing and confusing of what you should do. We have put together some information about your options and the next steps to take below if you experience sexual misconduct.

Immediately after the event

If you feel like you or someone else may still be at risk call the Police or Campus Security.

If you are not at risk, find somewhere safe and warm and call somebody you trust to support you e.g. a friend, or family member. If you are in halls of residence this could be your RLA if you do not want to contact friends or family.

If you don’t feel comfortable phoning the police, you can call the New Pathways Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on 01685 379 310, Out of Hours Tel. No.: 07423 437020, or through a self-referral. Referral Forms - New Pathways

Preserving evidence

Although it may be discomforting, it is really important that you preserve any evidence which may help the police in the enquiries if you chose to report that way. Even if in the moment you do not want to report to the police, it is important to give yourself the option in the future.

To preserve evidence until the police arrived/ you have went to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre try not to:

Use the toilet or discard underwear or sanity products
Wash, shower, bathe, or shave
Wash your hands
Remove, wash, discard or destroy clothing worn or bedding & towels used at the time of the incident or subsequent to it
Drink or eat anything, including non-essential medication
Clean your teeth
Smoke
Disturb the scene or allow other people/animals to enter the area where the incident took place, where possible.

Non-physical evidence, such as relevant texts, social media messages and emails should be preserved.

If you think you have been given any type of drug, it is best to be tested within 24 hours.
If you need emergency contraception, the medication should be started within 72 hours.
If you would like HIV prevention drugs, the medication should be started within 36 hours.

Reporting the incident

The University

If you have been subjected to – or have witnessed an incident of sexual misconduct, please consider letting us know via Report + Support.

Report + Support allows you to report an incident or incidents anonymously. Alternatively, you can request to speak to an advisor. Speaking to an advisor does not necessarily mean that you are making a formal report to the university - it enables you to access advice and support for yourself or someone else. You will be signposted to information on internal and external support, policies, guidance, and campaigns. You may then decide that you want to progress with a formal report, and we will support you in this.

Police

You can report an incident to the police at any time by phoning 101, or in the case of an emergency, dial 999. Remember, it doesn’t matter when the incident happened, it does not have to be recent for you to report it.

The police have specially trained officers, which you’ll be referred to depending on your situation.

Seek support from another organisation

You might be unsure whether you wish to formally report the incident. Or you might not wish to at all. If you find yourself in this situation, there are options available to you.

You can visit a local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - the nearest one is in Swansea. These centres are funded by Public Health and can offer services including forensic examination, medical services, and access to sexual health services. If you decide at a later point you do wish to report the incident to the police, the evidence stored from a forensic examination at a SARC can be used.

In addition, SARCs also have access to counselling services to support you following the incident.

Choose to take no action

You do not have to disclose when you have been subjected to sexual misconduct. Everyone has their own circumstances and ways of recovering. Ultimately, it is your decision on how you want to move forward.

However, if you find that you might benefit from support there are people who can listen to you. For example, a therapist can provide non-judgemental support in a confidential space. Make sure you feel comfortable and can trust the person who are speaking to (whether they are a professional or not).

Alternatively, you might find reading and hearing stories about other people’s experience of sexual violence – through the media, as part of a therapy group, or via an online forum – can help to make you feel less alone, and you might also discover some coping mechanisms that work for you.