King’s is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment for all members of our community. If you are experiencing domestic abuse or related behaviours, you do not have to deal with it alone.
Domestic abuse can take many forms, including controlling and/or coercive behaviour, psychological or emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse, financial abuse, gaslighting, honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM.
Abuse can happen in any relationship
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, background, culture, religion, disability or financial circumstances.
It can happen in relationships that appear happy or supportive to other people. A person experiencing abuse may also feel that they love or care about the person causing the harm, or may not identify their experiences as abuse.
You may also be unsure whether what is happening is "serious enough" to seek help.
You do not need to wait until things get worse before seeking support.
If you are experiencing, have experienced or are concerned about domestic abuse, you can access support whether or not you want to make a report.
It's happened to me. What can I do?
Think
Are you in immediate danger?
If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, contact the emergency services on 999. If you cannot speak on a 999 call from a mobile, press 55 when prompted.
If you are on campus and need immediate assistance, you can also contact the King's Security Team.
Find a safe space
If an incident has just happened, or you do not feel safe where you are, try to move somewhere you feel safe if you can.
You do not need to be certain that what you are experiencing is domestic abuse before seeking help. It may be useful to read our information about domestic abuse and related behaviours, including controlling and/or coercive behaviour, gaslighting, honour-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM.
Report
You can make a report through King's Report + Support system.
You can choose to:
- make an anonymous report if you do not want us to know who you are; or
- make a report and request support from an adviser.
You can make a report simply to access support. You do not have to decide what you want to do next or make a formal complaint.
If you request support, your report will be triaged to the appropriate King's support service. Your HR Business Partner can talk to you about your circumstances, explain your options and help you consider what support may be available.
If you choose to make a formal complaint about a King's student or member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you will need to follow.
Get support
There are a range of support options available to King's staff, including the Employee Assistance Programme, Staff Wellbeing, HR Business Partners, your line manager or a senior colleague, and the Chaplaincy.
For information about these and other support options, visit Support for Staff - Report + Support - King's College London.
You can also use Report + Support to request support. You do not need to make a formal complaint to access support.
I'm not ready to make a report. What can I do?
You can still access support and information if you are not ready to make a report.
You can speak to a trusted colleague, your manager, HR or another appropriate source of support.
You can also visit Support for Staff - Report + Support - King's College London to explore the support available to you.
You can also make a report through Report + Support specifically to request support. You do not need to know what you want to happen next, and making a report does not mean that you have to make a formal complaint.
It's happened to someone I know. What can I do?
If you think someone you know may be experiencing domestic abuse or related behaviours, they are not alone and support is available.
Think
Are they in immediate danger?
If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, contact the emergency services on 999. If you cannot speak on a 999 call from a mobile, press 55 when prompted.
If they are on campus and need immediate assistance, you can also contact the King's Security Team.
If an incident has just happened, and it is safe for you to do so, help them find somewhere they feel safe.
Talk
Listen
Taking the time to listen without judging or pressuring them can help. You do not need to have all the answers.
Believe them
Let them know that you take what they are telling you seriously and that the abuse is not their fault.
Give them options
Ask whether they would like to talk through possible options and next steps. Avoid telling them what they "should" do or pressuring them to report.
Encourage them to seek support
You can encourage them to use Report + Support to access support or explore the Support for Staff - Report + Support page for information about the support available to staff.
Get support yourself
Supporting someone experiencing domestic abuse can be difficult. You can seek advice yourself if you are unsure how best to help them.
You can speak to your manager, HR, a trusted colleague or another appropriate source of support.
You can also visit Support for Staff - Report + Support to explore the support available to you.
You can also use Report + Support to seek advice and support about your concerns.