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Bullying and harassment

The terms ‘harassment’ or ‘bullying’ are often used to describe the same thing - behaviour which the recipient finds unacceptable, offensive or upsetting.  The behaviour is likely to result in an intimidating, hostile environment in which to study, live, work or enjoy a social life.  The term ‘harassment’ is used below.

What is harassment?

  • Harassment is behaviour which the recipient finds unacceptable, offensive or upsetting.
  • Anyone can suffer from harassment.  
  • You may encounter harassment from any other person including fellow students, housemates, neighbours, work colleagues, members of University staff or landlords.
  • A single incident or repeated incidents of unwelcome behaviour may constitute harassment.
  • Even behaviour which was not intended to cause offence or distress can constitute harassment if the recipient is upset by it.
  • Health, physical characteristics, personal beliefs, sexual orientation, gender and age are common harassment issues.
  • Harassment can occur between people of the same or different gender, nationality, sexual orientation, age etc.
  • Harassment can be verbal or non-verbal. ‘Cyber-bullying’ – via text, email and social networking sites is a more recent type of harassment.
  • Cultural, language or attitude differences may mean that what is perceived as offensive behaviour or language by one person may not by another.

Dealing with harassment

For more information on different types of harassment and advice about how to deal with it, please select from the following list:

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