DCG Student Handbook 2024-25 accessible - Flipbook - Page 25
Harassment
Harassment is defined in the Equality Act 2010 as:
Unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected
characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating
an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile,
degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that
individual.
Some examples of harassment include (but are not limited
to):
• Offensive or derogatory remarks, gossip or jokes.
• Obscene gestures or language.
• The display or electronic transmission of offensive
pictures graffiti or other visual material.
• Physical contact (ranging from touching to serious
assault), to which a person has not consented, or which
they have not been given the opportunity to reject.
• Intrusion by pestering, including through the use of text
messaging, email or other telecommunications.
• Following, stalking or spying on people.
• Pressing people to accept unwelcome invitations.
• Obtaining sexual or other favours through threats or by
making promises.
• Isolation or non-cooperation and exclusion from social
activities.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct relates to all unwanted conduct of a
sexual nature. This includes, but not limited to:
• Sexual harassment (as defined by Section 26 (2) of the
Equality Act 2010).
• Assault (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003).
• Rape (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003).
• Physical unwanted sexual advances (as set out by
the Equality and Human Rights Commission: Sexual
harassment and the law, 2017).
• Intimidation, or promising resources or benefits in return
for sexual favours.
• Distributing private and personal explicit images or
footage of an individual without their consent (as defined
by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015).
Victimisation
Victimisation occurs when someone is treated badly
because they have made or supported a complaint about
discrimination or harassment, or because an individual
thinks that they are doing or may do these things.
Some examples of victimisation include:
• Excluding someone from social situations following a
complaint or rumour.
• Denying someone the opportunity to participate
in a project, social event or apply for a placement
opportunity because they are perceived to be a
‘troublemaker’.
• Lowering a student’s assessment results because they
have made or supported a complaint.
25
