Coventry University is committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive campus that welcomes disclosures, and where sexual misconduct and harassment in all their forms are not tolerated.
We understand that speaking up about sexual misconduct or harassment can feel overwhelming. This page serves as a single point of reference for how Coventry University is working to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual misconduct and harassment. It has been developed in line with the E6 condition of registration from the Office for Students (OfS).
We are committed to continually improving our approach and welcome any feedback.
Student support
There is a wide range of support available within the university community. There are also several ways you can choose to disclose and access support. What matters most is finding the option that feels safest and most comfortable for you. For more information on how we can support you please take a look at our pages on sexual misconduct.
Student Wellbeing offers a range of pillars and support services for a variety of needs:
- Harassment and Incident Support offers confidential, trauma-informed support and guidance
- Disability/Wellbeing
- Mental Health
- Counselling via Spectrum Life-24/7 immediate emotional and mental health support
- Spirituality and Faith
- Dignity and Respect Advisers
- Your Students' Union Advice Service
- Your Students' Union Support Hub
Other support available
Disclosing
If you’re not sure if you want to report and would like to talk through with a trained advisor what it may look like, Harassment and Incident Support can offer emotional support and guidance through any processes with no pressure to pursue.
You can disclose anonymously or with details to access support.
Disclosures of unwanted sexual incidents
Watch our webinar which provides information and support on sexual violence and the different routes you can take when disclosing unwanted sexual incidents.
Procedures and policies
Staff/student relationships
The University Group is committed to ensuring that decisions are made in an open, objective and honest manner, consistent with the Nolan Principles and best practice for good governance. All persons involved in decisions affecting the University Group shall avoid conflict of interest, whether personal, financial, business or legal, between their personal activities or interests and their obligations to the University Group.
Intimate relationships should be disclosed by both parties and should not give unfair advantage in any way.
In order to protect the relationship of trust and confidence which exists between members of staff and students, personal relationships of an intimate, sexual or romantic nature between staff and students over the age of 18 are discouraged by the University Group.
Both members of staff and students must not exert any pressure for the other to engage in any form of intimate, sexual or romantic relationship. Any breach of this rule will be regarded as a serious disciplinary offence leading to disciplinary action under the relevant Staff or Student Disciplinary Procedure, a consequence of which can include dismissal from the University Group and exclusion from the University Group.
Staff support
Coventry University is committed to ensuring that staff do not experience sexual harassment in the workplace, in line with the Worker Protection Act 2024.
Through the use of focus groups, risk assessments, training, and established working practices, we are dedicated to continually reviewing and improving our approach to create a safe and respectful working environment for all.
Coventry University does not use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
Staff training
Coventry University is committed to supporting staff through ongoing training and development in responding to sexual misconduct and harassment. We welcome feedback on our training and resources.
Our training
- Staff are required to undertake the Responding to disclosures of unwanted sexual incidents training via the Coventry Essentials Platform and refresh every year.
- Students are required to undertake the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct training available on AULA and refresh every year.
- For those who feel it may be too difficult to engage in the online training, please contact harassment@coventry.ac.uk to arrange separate support.
- Bystander
We are also proud to host the Bystander Module. The Intervention Initiative was commissioned by Public Health England (PHE) and Dr Helen Mott, one of the programme writers, then of UWE Bristol helped to develop this online Bystander module for us.
The course explores the types of harassment/hate incidents that you may experience or witness and how to become an active bystander, recognise harassment and hate, offering strategies to aid intervention where it’s safe to do so.
- Your Students' Union offer online or face to face workshops around consent.
Coventry University is committed to equipping both staff and students with the skills and knowledge to prevent and respond effectively to harassment and sexual misconduct.
We provide regular training for staff involved in formal investigations, including those who sit on student disciplinary panels and those responsible for investigations.
Harassment and Incident Support Team (HIST)
Our Harassment and Incident Support Team (HIST) delivers targeted training to a wide range of groups, including internal bar staff, student union members, university accommodation providers, and specific student cohorts.
Training topics have included:
- Sexual misconduct
- Bystander intervention
- Spiking
- Trauma-informed responses
- The night-time economy
- Modern-day slavery, and
- A range of other relevant issues.
This ongoing programme reflects our commitment to creating a safer, more informed and responsive university community.
