If you or someone you know has been a victim of harassment, sexual assault or rape, support is available.
Sexual assault and rape
Sexual assault is touching someone without consent where the touching is sexual, this can include but is not limited to unwanted touching and kissing, rubbing, groping or forcing a person to touch another person in sexual ways, catcalling, whistling, non consensual electronic sharing of explicit images, exposure of genitals and secretive viewing of others naked or during sex. Sexual assault can include unwanted touching through clothing or a bed sheet, and can be done with any part of the body or with anything else.
If someone intentionally penetrates another person's vagina, anus or mouth with a penis, without their consent or agreement, that's rape. If someone penetrates another person with any other part of their body or another object, this is assault by penetration but would be treated similarly to rape if taken to court.
Consent is defined as agreeing and giving permission to interact with another person in any way that would impact on their and your personal boundaries. Consent can never be assumed, even in a relationship or marriage. This is not exclusive to sexual consent and could include, instigating a hug, or a kiss.
Consent is comfortable
A clear “yes”, smiles, responsiveness, reciprocity of affection, “Yes, please”, “Keep going”, etc all indicate consent. Conversely: “no”, silence, stillness and rigidity, no eye contact, flinching, phrases like “I am not sure”, “I don’t like that”, “Please stop” imply that consent is vanishing, or it’s not present at all.
Consent is freely given
Someone who has been threatened, blackmailed or coerced is not free to consent.
Consent is retractable
Consent can be withdrawn at any point if one of the parties changes their mind or feels uncomfortable. Crucially, consent to one action is not consent to all actions, so if you want to try something new make sure you get consent.
Consent is active
All people in a sexual situation must feel that they are able to say "yes" or "no" or stop the sexual activity at any point. Someone who is unconscious, asleep or unable to communicate cannot give consent. Equally, alcohol and drugs can significantly impact on someone’s capacity to understand what is happening around them and consent.
Finally, consent should always be clear
If you are ever in any doubt about having someone’s consent, you should stop and ask if they are alright.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of harassment, sexual assault or rape, support is available. Experiencing any of these types of incidents can be very traumatic and you may experience a range of emotions. There is no ‘normal’ or ‘right way’ to react.
Please remember that you are not alone and you are not to blame for what has happened.
Here are some simple steps you can take to help ensure your safety:
- find somewhere you feel safe
- you might be in shock, so wrap up warm
- consider telling someone you trust about what happened. Victims First offer support and to talk to someone confidentially
- call 999 if you require urgent medical attention.
You might also want to consider contacting a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). SARCs provide dedicated support to victims of rape or sexual assault – including providing a confidential space for interviews, examinations and collecting evidence. Some may also offer counselling services.
These services are available to women, men and children and are available regardless of whether or not you feel you want to report to the police.
If you want forensic evidence to be collected, time is an important factor. You would normally need to visit a SARC within 72 hours of the incident.
Anyone can self-refer to a SARC. This means that you can go to the SARC independently and do not have to involve the police, or anyone else if you do not want to.
If you self-report in this way, it is up to you whether any evidence which is collected is passed on to the police. If you later decide to report, the evidence will still be at the SARC.
Also, if possible, try to take these steps:
- do not wash
- do not brush your teeth
- do not have a cigarette
- do not eat or drink
- do not change your clothes
- if you do change your clothes, do not wash them but put them in a clean plastic bag
- try not to go to the toilet
- do not clear up anything from the area of the incident
- don't worry if you have already done some of these things. It's possible that there is still forensic evidence to collect.
Thames Valley SARC Bicester
SOLACE Centre
Police House
Queens Avenue
Bicester
OX26 2NT
Tel: 0800 970 9952
Swindon Sanctuary SARC
The Gables
Shrivenham Road
South Marston
Swindon
SN3 4RB
Tel: 01793 781917
University Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA)
The Brookes University ISVA, Ellie, works alongside the Student Welfare and Support Advice team. Ellie is employed by Survivor Space Oxfordshire (SSO) and is seconded to the University to exclusively support students. Ellie is completely independent from the University and any other agencies and will tailor her support according to your needs. Ellie is the expert on all matters of the criminal justice process and is able to support students through this process.
How can the ISVA support you?
The ISVA provides emotional and practical support and advice to any student who has experienced sexual violence, recently or in the past.
Ellie can:
- Provide information about the criminal justice process if you are considering reporting to the police and help you to make informed choices about what is right for you;
- Explain the University's policies and procedures in relation to sexual misconduct;
- Support you throughout the process of reporting;
- Provide information about your rights;
- Liaise with the police, the University, the Crown Prosecution Service and/or other relevant agencies;
- Accompany you to meetings relating to the sexual violence you have experienced;
- Give you practical support and advocacy with regards to other services (e.g. studies, sexual and physical health, mental health, etc.);
- Help you plan your safety and access appropriate support at the University or in you local area (e.g. counselling).
Ellie works in a non-directive and non-judgemental way. This means that she can give you information about legal processes and services that are there to support you, will support you to explore your options, but will not tell you what to do. She will support the decisions you make.
Confidentiality
The ISVA service is confidential and everything you tell Ellie will be kept within Survivor Space, unless you give her explicit consent to share information with another agency or individual. Survivor Space Oxfordshire has an organisational confidentiality policy, which means that other Survivor Space staff may be able to access these records in exceptional circumstances.
There are some instances in which the ISVA may be obliged to pass on certain information to other organisations, even without your approval. These instances include if you give the ISVA identifying information about a child or at-risk adult who is currently or imminently at risk of harm, or if you disclose information that leads the ISVA to believe that you or someone else may be at risk of harm.
How do I get in touch?
The ISVA accepts referrals directly from students via this self-referral form.
Third parties, including University staff and students, can also make referrals as long as they are sent with the student's permission via this third-party referral form.
Upon receipt of your referral, the ISVA will contact you to arrange a time to meet you either virtually, via phone or face-to-face in a location that's convenient for you.
For other enquiries, Ellie can also be contacted via brookesuniisva@survivorspace.org.uk or on 07570 671892 (TEXT ONLY - Monday to Friday).
Student Welfare and Support Advice Team
The Student Welfare and Support Advice Team are experienced in supporting students who have experienced harassment, sexual assault or rape, amongst other welfare related support. The team works with students who are having difficulties functioning or continuing their studies for non-academic reasons. They are able to speak with you in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space and they can support you in finding the appropriate support.
When you report an incident with your contact details, the Student Welfare and Support Advice Team will contact you within three working days.
OBU Counselling Services
Tailored support is available to all enrolled Oxford Brookes students – of whatever age, gender, religion and beliefs, nationality, ethnic origin, gender identity and sexual orientation. The aim of our Counselling Service is to provide you with the support that we think best suits your needs and is most readily available. To help us do this, we operate a triage ‘assessment of needs’ system, where you may be asked to complete online clinical measures. This helps us assess your needs.
Brookes Union Advice Service
The Brookes Union Advice Service can provide you with independent advice on the options available to you, whether you are thinking about reporting to the police or the university. You can phone them on + 44 (0) 1865 534005 or email them at su.advice@brookes.ac.uk.
The opening times can be found on the Brookes Union Advice Services' webpage.
Victims First Specialist Service
The Victims First Specialist Service provides specialist support for victims and witnesses of crime including rape and sexual abuse, exploitation and modern slavery and can provide Restorative Justice services. The support will be provided by specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs), Restorative Justice Practitioners, Exploitation Specialists and staff with other relevant specialist skills and knowledge.
Tel: +44 (0) 800 1234 148 (Freephone)
If you are unable to reach them, you can leave a message, and let them know when would be a safe time to call you back. You can also fill in their referral form.
SurvivorsUK
SurvivorsUK offer a free and confidential service to anyone who identifies as male, trans, non-binary, has identified as male in the past who are dealing with effects of sexual violence, and to anyone who is supporting them. This includes but is not limited to counselling, therapy, online helpline services (Chat to trained professionals, one to one, using their web, SMS or WhatsApp chat services).
Chat via SMS: +44 (0) 20 3322 1860
Chat via WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7491 816064
Online web chat
Galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity
Galop offer confidential and independent practical advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people who have experienced sexual assault, abuse or violence. If you choose to report to the police, they can support you through the criminal justice system.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7704 2040
Email: referrals@galop.org.uk
The University takes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of sexual assault, rape and violence and expects all members of the University community to treat each other with dignity and respect.
If you report an incident with your contact details, the Student Welfare Team will contact you within 3 working days. The team works with students who are having difficulties functioning or continuing their studies for non-academic reasons. They are able to speak with you in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space and they can support you in finding the appropriate service.
We understand that you may not wish to disclose your identity, so you also have the option to report anonymously. Anonymous reports provide statistical information, which will be used to inform our proactive and preventative work on addressing unwanted behaviours across the University community.
If your report involves a staff member
Please submit a complaint using the Complaints and Appeals Form. In accordance with the Complaints and Appeals Procedures, complaints must be submitted within 2 months of the last claimed act or omission. The Student Investigation and Resolution Team will confirm receipt of your complaint within 5 working days and you will have the opportunity to discuss the complaint with a member of the Student Investigation and Resolution Team. Details of the procedure can be found on the Student Complaint Procedure pages.
If your report involves other students
You will need to initiate the Student Conduct Procedure. In accordance with the Student Conduct Regulations, the procedure must be initiated within 5 working days of the discovery of the potential breach of the Student Conduct Regulations. Examples of behaviours which are regarded as misconduct and time-frames can be found within the Student Conduct Regulations and Procedure.
If you have any questions about the reporting tool or website, please email studentwelfare@brookes.ac.uk.