Give support
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.
The Harassment and Misconduct team are here for you
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 – whether it happened to you or someone you know.
With your consent, our specialist advisors can help you with:
- Offering confidential advice and info to help you decide what’s right for you
- Guiding you through what to do and how to support others
- Navigating academic accommodations or living concerns
- Being referred to counselling, medical and legal services
- Accessing self-care support
- Providing info and educational information
- Making a formal complaint or report, on-campus or off
- Being there to listen
Talk to a specialist advisor
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.
Want to know more about the team? Meet our specialist advisors in the Harassment and Misconduct team.
Remember to 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.
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 lifechanging.
Listen carefully: Show that you’re really listening by practicing 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.
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.
Self-care: Supporting a victim/survivor can be overwhelming and for some people, triggering. It can have a huge emotional impact and may impact 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.
Support service: Supporting a victim/survivor can be overwhelming. If the victim/survivor are 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.
