Being reported for or accused of sexual misconduct or relationship abuse can be an isolating, upsetting and confusing experience. The Mental Health & Wellbeing Team and chaplain can support reported students and provide confidential, practical and emotional support to all students who are facing formal or informal allegations of sexual misconduct, whether they have been named in a formal report or not. We can provide advice on University and police processes, academic guidance and a safe space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences without judgement.
Please note: A formal report or complaint does not have to be made in order to access this service. We can support students experiencing informal allegations (whether they are aware of the details of these or not), students who are concerned about their own behaviour, as well as students subject to formal reports made to the University, or the police.
Seeking support does not affect the outcome of any investigation, and support is available to students regardless of how far any active process progresses.
What we do
All students who contact us or are referred into the team are offered an appointment with a dedicated and experienced support worker, who works with students who are the subject of an allegation, or reported for sexual misconduct or relationship abuse.
Appointments are tailored to your individual needs, and there is no pressure or expectation to share or discuss any details of your situation unless you wish to. We can offer:
- Non-judgemental support around emotional and personal wellbeing.
- Signposting to appropriate specialist services for further support and information.
- Information specific to the University policies and procedures, and what you can expect from a formal complaint process.
- Help with navigating formal processes, and signposting to external support in the event of criminal investigations and prosecutions.
- Guidance around academic support options.
- Support with the social impact of being reported.
We are not an advocacy service, and therefore are unable to accompany students to any disciplinary meetings. If you want a chaperone to be present for any part of an investigation, check out the SU Advice Service.
Confidentiality
The support sits within the Mental Health & Wellbeing Team and Chaplain. We work confidentially and independently from departments. This means that we won't share anything that you tell us with your course team, department, tutors, family, or police without your explicit permission.
In certain exceptional circumstances, we may be required to disclose information without your consent including, but not limited to, circumstances where we reasonably believe there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or a third party, or where it is required to share information by law or regulation. You can read more about our privacy statement.
How do I get in touch?
You can arrange an appointment either in person or online. You may self refer or ask a trusted university professional to refer on your behalf.
We aim to be in touch within 2 working days with an offer of an appointment. You do not need to provide any detail in your submission regarding what has happened, however so that you get the right support, it is useful to let us know you wish to access the team as a reported student, this is so it ensures you are allocated the right practitioner.
If you have any questions or are unsure whether the this support is right for you, please get in touch using student-wellbeing@staffs.ac.uk
Further Support for Reported Students
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek immediate help by calling 999 and further emergency contacts
Check out, for recommendations of external specialist services.
SU Advice Service - The SU Advice service has a specialist advisors who can support you throughout your case, including attending any relevant meetings with you.