Oldham College (encompassing University Campus Oldham) has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and sexual harassment of any kind. We are wholly committed to providing safe learning and working environments for all members of our community at all times.
Any form of harassment or sexual misconduct is unacceptable, and we will work to help prevent and respond to any instances that occur.
If you feel you have been impacted by sexual harassment or misconduct at any time, you will find key information below on how to report this to us, to external agencies and how to access support at any time you may need it.
We believe that bullying, harassment, sexual assault and misconduct, domestic abuse, hate crime and discrimination are never okay.
Our anonymous reporting system below ensures that students, staff and even visitors can report any concerns. Anyone can also report any concerns and access support with a trained member of staff by emailing: ucodisclosures@oldham.ac.uk Please note that by directly emailing, this will not remain anonymous. If an anonymous report is submitted, you will not be contacted by any members of staff.
Sexual Harassment is defined as:
Sexual Violence is defined as:
Sexual Misconduct is defined as:
(Equality Act 2010 Section 26(2), Sexual Offences Act 2003, Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015)
Consent is defined as:
(Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 74)
If you wish to report something and speak to someone confidentially, the Student Life Officer and Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services are available on site to speak to and to signpost you for further support if needed. You can also request to speak to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor through the Student Life Officer or Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Support.
Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services: laura.macmillan@oldham.ac.uk
The information you disclose does not begin the formal complaints process, but you may be contacted to establish whether you would like us to initiate this process on your behalf using the information you provide. We will not disclose any personal or identifiable information to external organisations unless we believe there is a genuine threat to a person’s health and safety. The support you will access is collaborative, holistic, and grounded in consent. Notes from conversations will only be stored within a secure, confidential notetaking system (CPOMS) which is only accessible to key staff.
Any reports of sexual harassment and misconduct between students will be investigated by the Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services, with disclosures made around staff conduct being handled by Human Resources.
In Manchester, St Mary’s Sexual Assault and Referral Centre offers targeted advice and support for students, with access to specialist, confidential support and medical advice. St Mary’s Centre :: I am a student
Manchester Rape Crisis offer support for women who have been raped or sexually abused. Listen, Believe, Support | Manchester Rape Crisis
The NHS offers advice on a range of different support options depending on your circumstances. Help after rape and sexual assault – NHS
If you are thinking of reporting to the Police, you can call 999 in the event of an emergency or if you are in danger. Please call 101 for non-emergencies and if you are not in immediate danger. You can also visit your local police station to report a crime or report online. Report | Greater Manchester Police
If you wish to make an anonymous crime report, you can do so through Crimestoppers Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers
The Maggie Oliver Foundation offers support and advice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through emotional support and legal advocacy. The Maggie Oliver Foundation – Helping Survivors of Abuse
Manchester Women’s Aid can offer support if you have been a victim of sexual abuse within a relationship ARE YOU EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE? WE CAN… | Manchester Women’s Aid
If you want to access free, confidential and independent advice that is fully accessible, Victim Support is here to help. Home – Victim Support
If you have been a victim of intimate image abuse, deep faking, sextortion or voyeurism Revenge Porn Helpline – 0345 6000 459 | Revenge Porn Helpline
We Are Survivors are a specialist support service that aims to create and facilitate safe spaces for male (including trans and non-binary individuals) survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester providing access to quality assured support. We Are Survivors – Break the silence
The Maggie Oliver Foundation provides support for men (18+) who have experienced any form of sexual violence in their past or as an adult. Support for Men – The Maggie Oliver Foundation
Andy’s Mans Club is an organisation which allows men to talk openly about their issues, no matter what they are ANDYSMANCLUB – It’s Okay To Talk
These resources may help you if you are trying to support someone else and if you would rather access self-help resources if you have been impacted by sexual harassment and misconduct.
Caring for yourself after sexual violence – -VictimFocus.pdf
Self care – Women and Girls Network
Please speak to your Course Leader or access the information on the VLE if you feel that your experiences are impacting your ability to complete your course. This is also something which can be discussed within initial disclosures or ongoing support.
If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, these resources may be useful.
New! Sexual harassment at work handbook | Rights of Women
What sexual harassment is – Sexual harassment – Acas
Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance | EHRC
Galop support LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence Galop – the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity
The LGBT Foundation offer a wide range of different support options including domestic abuse and sexual violence support to members of the LGBT community LGBT Foundation – A national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
All UCO staff complete comprehensive training delivered by specialist trainers from New Pathways, a leading sexual violence support provider in the UK, with 30 years’ experience of delivering specialist therapeutic support to adults and children affected by the trauma of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse. This training is tailored to include UCO specific context to our policies and procedures and equips staff with the skills and knowledge to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual harassment and misconduct.
Trained Independent Sexual Violence Advisors are available to speak to students who disclose incidents of sexual harassment, and a trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) will be available to all HE students on campus to identify risks and appropriately support students who are victims of sexual violence. Incidents can be disclosed which may have happened before beginning studies with us and may not involve another student or staff member. They may also not have taken place on campus. Support is available whether a student chooses to make a formal report to the university or the police.
All new students are required to complete the mandatory training module which has been devised in line with Office for Students guidelines, by New Pathways, a leading sexual violence support provider in the UK, with 30 years’ experience of delivering specialist therapeutic support to adults and children affected by the trauma of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse. This module is accessed online and delivered through pre-recorded modular webinars, quizzes, distance travelled measurements, and student certificates. It equips all students with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to behaviours that constitute harassment and sexual misconduct as well as prevent and mitigate risks. Whilst students complete the module, they will have access to trained sexual violence trainers to ask questions or seek support as necessary. It is important to recognise that some students may have lived experiences which are related to the topics covered within this training and that by completing the modules, this may be triggering for some people. Students are encouraged to inform trusted staff of any concerns about completing the training, so these can be discussed with trained staff and support put in place as needed.
University Campus Oldham has a Code of Conduct to ensure freedom of speech and reinforces commitment to academic freedoms. This can be found within the Policies and Procedures section of this page. Academic freedom safeguards the intellectual autonomy of academics, enabling them to explore, evaluate, and disseminate novel or contentious ideas without the risk of losing their jobs or facing disciplinary measures. The Freedom of Speech Code of Conduct can be found in the Policies and Procedures section of this page.
Here you will find the key policies and procedures which inform our actions on preventing and responding to reports of sexual harassment and misconduct. Here, we will publish both previous copies and current copies of policies and procedures to illustrate how we are adapting how we work, respond and prevent sexual harassment and misconduct. This includes our stance on personal relationships between staff and students and freedom of speech. Here you will also find out how we undertake investigations and how any decisions made will be credible and fair, and how you will be informed of any decisions.
Here you will find links to our partner institutions comprehensive sources of information around sexual harassment which can be assessed if needed