If you have been the target of sexual misconduct, assault or harassment, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. sometimes people feel a lot of confusion about what has happened. What happened was not your fault. What you do next is your choice.
If you make a named report via Report and Support (leaving your contact details), this is risk assessed by a small expert team. If you are a student, a member of the Student Conduct and Appeals Team will reach out to support you. If you are a staff member, it will be a representative of HR. If you make an anonymous report, an investigation and formal action can still take place, however we will unable to give you support directly. You can find out more information on our 'How Does Reporting Work' page.
If you make a named report via Report and Support (leaving your contact details), this is risk assessed by a small expert team. If you are a student, a member of the Student Conduct and Appeals Team will reach out to support you. If you are a staff member, it will be a representative of HR. If you make an anonymous report, an investigation and formal action can still take place, however we will unable to give you support directly. You can find out more information on our 'How Does Reporting Work' page.
King’s is committed to being an environment free from bullying and harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. Sexual harassment, misconduct or assault are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and to King's College London's Bullying and Harassment Policy.
It's happened to me, what can I do?
- Think
- Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone) or the King’s Security Team.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere you feel safe.
- What is sexual harassment, misconduct, or assault? It might be useful to think about what is meant by sexual harassment, misconduct or assault and how these behaviours are described.
- Report
- Students and staff can report an incident using KCL's Report and Support system.
- You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
- If you choose to make a formal complaint to us about a student or member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.
- Get support
- There is wide range of support available to you as a student at King's. For broad information on anything to do with your wellbeing, please visit Health & wellbeing on Student Services Online.
- For more specific information on support you can access, please refer to these articles:
- Top tips on managing your mental health & wellbeing
- What specialist mental health services can I access?
- Top tips on managing your physical health while studying
- What student support services are available at King's?: For a full run-down of all student support services available to you, including how to contact them.
- Important to know: If you have experienced sexual assault, please refer to NHS: Help after rape and sexual assault in the first instance.
- You may want to consider approaching your Personal Tutor, Faculty Wellbeing & Welfare Team, the Chaplaincy or any other trusted person, to talk about anything difficult you may be experiencing and help you find the best source of support for you.
It's happened to someone I know, what can I do?
If you know someone affected by sexual harassment, misconduct or assault, they are not alone and support is available.
- Think
- Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can contact the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone) or the King’s Security Team.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened, try to help them find somewhere they feel safe.
- What is sexual harassment, misconduct, or assault? It might be useful to think about what is meant by sexual harassment, misconduct or assault and how these behaviours are described.
- Talk
- Listen. Just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened can help. Try these 6 active listening tips to help you support them.
- If someone you know has experienced serious sexual assault, please encourage them to refer to NHS: Help after rape and sexual assault in the first instance.
- Give options. When they have finished talking, ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps.
- You can encourage them to seek support. If this is a fellow student, encourage them to explore the guidance we have on Student Services Online, as described above, especially for our guidance for looking after your health and wellbeing.
- Alternatively, you can make an anonymous disclosure which will allow us to investigate if there are multiple instances in one area.
- Get support
- You may want to seek out support yourself for guidance on the best way to help the person you know who's been affected.
- You may want to consider approaching your Personal Tutor, Faculty Wellbeing & Welfare Team, the Chaplaincy or any other trusted person to help you help someone else.