If you think someone you know is being bullied or harassed there are lots of ways you can help them.
Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened.
Harassment is when someone intentionally or unintentionally violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. This can interfere with an individual’s learning, working or social wellbeing.
Some forms of harassment may involve sexual harassment or be considered a hate crime often motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person due to a protected characteristic.
Bullying and harassment are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the University’s Harassment and Bullying Procedure.
Think
Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile). If you are on campus, you should tell Campus Safety (01483 683333) that the emergency services are on their way and give details of their location. Stay with the individual and reassure them help is on the way.
Find a safe space: if an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere they feel safe. If you are on campus and this isn't possible, you can suggest they call Campus Safety on 01483 683333.
What are bullying and harassment? It might be useful to think about what bullying and harassment are and how some of the behaviours are described.
Talk
Listen: just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened can help. These six active listening tips might help you support them.
Give options: when they have finished talking ask them if they are ok to talk through some possible options and next steps.
Campus Safety: our Campus Safety team can talk through how to make a report and what support is available.
University of Surrey Students’ Union (USSU) can talk students through what options are available and support you through the process. This support includes checking draft complaints and attending any meetings with the University.
Trade unions are organised groups of workers who come together to support each other in the workplace. The University of Surrey recognises three campus trade unions (Unison, UCU and Unite) and encourages all employees to become members.
Report
Any incident of bullying or harassment, including those experienced online, can be reported.
Report and Support: students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. They can choose to do this anonymously or request support from a member of staff. The University takes every report seriously and carefully considers what action to take.
Report a Wellbeing Concern is a quick and easy way to let us know about a concern that you have for a University of Surrey student. It can be completed by anyone including other students, family, friends and staff.
Get support
Find out what support is available if you have been bullied or harassed.
Mental Health and wellbeing
1 in 4 people are affected by a mental health problem in any year and it is estimated that around 1 in 5 people have contemplated suicide or self-harm.
If you are worried or concerned about someone, find out more about how you can help them.
Take care of yourself: it’s important that you take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, the University's Centre for Wellbeing offers confidential help and is open to students free of charge.