Reporting Sexual Harassment or Misconduct
Metanoia Institute is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff. If you have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment or misconduct, we are here to support you.
Creating a Safe and Respectful Community
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued – whether at work, in education, or in any shared space. Sexual harassment and misconduct undermine that safety and respect.
These terms cover a range of unwelcome behaviours – from inappropriate comments or jokes, to unwanted physical contact, to abuse of power or consent. At their core, they’re about violating boundaries and misusing trust.
We believe in being clear about what these behaviours look like, how they affect people, and how we can all take responsibility for preventing them. This page is here to explain what sexual harassment and misconduct mean, how to recognise them, and what support is available if you or someone you know is affected.
What do these behaviours look like?
Sexual harassment and misconduct can take many forms, including:
- Sexual comments, jokes or gestures that make someone feel uncomfortable
- Staring, leering or unwanted attention of a sexual nature
- Sharing or displaying sexually explicit images or messages
- Repeatedly asking someone out after they’ve said no
- Inappropriate or unwanted physical contact, such as touching, hugging or brushing against someone
- Pressuring someone into sexual activity, or continuing after consent has been withdrawn
- Using a position of authority to coerce, intimidate or exploit someone sexually
How can you recognise it?
Sometimes, it’s obvious – but not always. It can be subtle, especially when masked as “banter” or brushed off as harmless. A helpful guide is this: if a behaviour is sexual in nature and it’s unwelcome, uncomfortable, or creates a hostile environment – it may be harassment or misconduct. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it’s worth paying attention.
We're Here to Support You
If you’ve experienced sexual harassment, assault, or any form of sexual misconduct, you do not have to be alone – and remember it is not your fault. We understand that coming forward can feel overwhelming, but there are safe, confidential options available to help you get the support you deserve.
You can find out Student Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy here.
Report an Incident
You can report an incident through this platform, whether it happened recently or in the past. All reports are taken seriously and handled with care, respect, and confidentiality. by appropriately trained staff. Please note that it is best to make a report or complaint as early as possible as an extended delay could result in less available evidence to support your claim. However, we also recognise that it may feel difficult to make a complaint and there are times when you might not feel able to do so. Regardless of when a report is made it will be treated with respect, rather than suspicion.
Depending on the seriousness of the incident you may wish to report it to the police. In an emergency you can call 999. If it is less urgent you can call 101. You can also report to the police online. If, for any reason, you do not wish to speak directly to the police or visit a police station, you can report via True Vision, a national website which provides the option of online reporting as well as information.
Accessing Support
You don’t have to go through this alone. Support is available to you, including:
- Metanoia Safeguarding Team - safeguarding@metanoia.ac.uk
- Your Personal Therapist If you are already seeing a therapist, they can be a key source of emotional support and guidance as you process your experience.
- Rape Crisis Services You can contact your local Rape Crisis Centre for confidential support, advocacy, and advice. They are trained to listen, believe you, and help you move forward.
- Victim Support Sexual harassment · www.victimsupport.org.uk
- Government Sexual Abuse Support The official Sexual Abuse Support website provides a directory of resources, including helplines, medical services, and legal guidance. It’s available 24/7 and is designed to help survivors find the right support for their situation.
We understand that choosing how and when to report can be a difficult and deeply personal decision.
That’s why we offer two ways to share your experience:
1. Make an Anonymous Report
Use this form if you want to tell us what happened without sharing your name or contact details.
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You won’t be contacted, but the information you provide will help us better understand the experiences of our community.
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We use anonymous reports to identify patterns and take proactive steps to improve safety and culture.
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Please note that we are very limited in the actions we can take based on anonymous reports, especially when there are no identifying details.
2. Make a Formal Report with Contact Details
Use this form if you would like to share your experience and be contacted by a member of our Safeguarding Team.
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You will receive confidential support and guidance on your options.
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You can choose whether or not to pursue further action, either through internal procedures or by reporting to the police.
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We will respect your choices wherever possible, unless there is an urgent legal or safeguarding reason to act.
What Happens Next?
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If you make a formal report, someone from our Safeguarding Team will contact you to check in and offer support.
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They will explain the next steps and possible routes you could take, but you remain in control of how things progress.
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If another student or staff member is involved, we will outline how to submit a complaint through the appropriate disciplinary procedures.
We are committed to listening, believing, and supporting anyone affected by sexual misconduct. If you’re unsure about whether or how to report, you are welcome to speak in confidence with a member of staff, a tutor, or the Safeguarding Team by contacting us at safeguarding@metanoia.ac.uk