University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - Equality & Diversity - Dignity at Work and Study - Staff Guidance – Receiving a Report of Assault, Harassment, Violence or Discrimination from a colleague/team member

Receiving a Report of Assault, Harassment, Violence or Discrimination from a colleague/team member

Listen with empathy and compassion, reassure the colleague that there is support available and that you can help them access it.
Line managers will have a responsibility to escalate any report of assault, harassment, violence or discrimination which involves another colleague and/or student, as part of the University’s duty of care to employees. This should be discussed with their local P&OD/HR team for further advice.
Peers/colleagues should refer the reporting party to the First Responders network (for Gender Based Violence), Respect Advisers network (see steps 2 & 3) or their local P&OD/HR team for further support and guidance.

Advise the colleague that you will use the online University Reporting form to record their report.
If the colleague has given permission for their name to be shared, enter their details on the reporting form. Proactive contact will then be made by a member of staff from EDU/P&OD to ensure that the colleague receives appropriate support and understands their reporting options. If they wish to speak to a Respect Adviser, remember to state that in the form.
If the colleague does not give permission for their name to be shared, the form must still be submitted, and the report anonymised. Please note and inform the reporting party that no action can be taken by EDU/P&OD when an anonymous report is submitted. However, it is important that incidents are recorded to gain an accurate picture around the numbers of incidents and to inform ongoing work. (See Section 3 for support information which should be provided to the colleagues as they will not receive any contact).
Make it clear on the form that you are a member of staff, have met with the reporting person and have heard their initial report.
Ensure you note only what the reporting person tells you. Do not change or edit their words.
Submissions made using the reporting tool are treated confidentially and will not be shared without consent, unless the University has a duty to act. Read the FAQs on the reporting tool.

The University, in conjunction with Rape Crisis, has trained a group of staff as Sexual Violence and Harassment First Responders. They can provide information and support in confidence.
Respect Advisers are volunteer members of staff who have been trained to offer confidential, impartial, advice and support to anyone experiencing issues with harassment or bullying. Note: Respect Advisers can only be contacted via the use of the Reporting Form, or by contacting the EDU on equality@gla.ac.uk, to ensure the reporting party is put in touch with the most suitable Respect Adviser and to help guard against any potential conflict of interest.
Colleagues can access counselling through the University’s EAP provider, accessed through our Health and Wellbeing Hub. This is a free and confidential service and is external to the organisation and is available 24 hours.

Rape Crisis Scotland provide a national helpline and email support to anyone affected by sexual assault. The helpline operates between 6pm and Midnight on 08088 01 03 02. Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis can be contacted on , Mon-Fri 11am – 2pm.
Bullying UK has compiled some guidance and resources to help adults who have experienced bullying. They also offer a helpline and webchat support service.
A selection of anti-racism resources and support information can be found on CILIPS.org.uk.
Mental Health assessment and support can be accessed via NHS Living Life on 0800 328 9655.

Useful information on external reporting, along with helpline numbers and information videos can be found on the Police Scotland website.
For colleagues, if they choose to take a formal process (if the reporting party is a University staff member), this would either be the Grievance or the Disciplinary Procedure.

Ask the student or staff member, if they have a smartphone, to download the Safezone App.