How to support people who have experienced harassment
Supporting someone who has experienced abuse, violence, harassment, discrimination or bullying can be daunting. You don’t have to be an expert, and you’re not alone – we’re here and can help you every step of the way.
Harassment and Misconduct team
Whether it happened to you or someone you know, the Harassment and Misconduct team are the recommended first point of contact for any student who has been impacted by violence, abuse, bullying, harassment or discrimination.
The best way to get in touch with the Harassment and Misconduct team is to complete the disclosure form.
A specialist advisor will contact you within one working day to arrange a confidential appointment. You can also email the Harassment and Misconduct team at reportandsupport@leeds.ac.uk.
Find out more about how the Harassment and Misconduct team can help.
Respond with BLISS
If someone shares an experience of harassment, sexual violence, abuse, bullying, hate crime or other form of discrimination with you, remember to respond with BLISS:
B: believe them
Starting by believing is one of the most important things you can do for a victim/survivor. A simple phrase like “I believe you and I’m here for you” can be life changing.
L: listen carefully
Show that you’re really listening by practising active listening techniques like facing them and nodding while they speak.
While it may be difficult or upsetting to hear what they disclose, showing that you’re listening demonstrates you’re here for them.
I: in control
Experiences of abuse, violence, harassment, discrimination and bullying can make a person feel powerless or out of control. You may naturally feel an urge to try to fix things and propose solutions, but it’s important to not make any decisions on behalf of the victim/survivor unless they ask you for practical support.
There’s no right or wrong way for a victim/survivor to feel, so don’t judge their decisions. An easy way to empower them to stay in control is to ask how you can support them, whether they want advice, practical help, or for you to just listen.
S: self care
Supporting a victim/survivor can be overwhelming and for some people, triggering. It can have a huge emotional impact and may affect your work or studies.
It’s important to take care of yourself. While it’s natural to want to be there for a loved one, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to offer support either.
Explore the range of support services available to you, and if you feel your studies are being impacted, contact your school.
S: support service
Supporting a victim/survivor can be overwhelming. If the victim/survivor is open to getting support, refer them to the Harassment and Misconduct team.
The team of specialist advisors are the University’s recommended first point of contact for any student who is impacted by sexual violence, abuse, harassment, hate crime, bullying or discrimination.