Support for gender based violence and sexual misconduct

What to expect

If you have experienced a recent or non-recent incident of Gender Based Violence, our specially trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officers are here to support you. Current students can contact them through the Sexual Misconduct Support Service on the Safeguarding Portal.

This service is different for a reason. It's different because we don't ask you for any details of what has happened. We know how hard it may be to talk about and therefore we wait until you are ready to share what you want to share, we can put lots of help and support in place without you giving us any details. We only ask for consent to contact you and how you would like to be contacted.

We check with you if it's safe for us to leave a message, as it may not be appropriate. We will also ask you which email address is best for us to use to contact you.

We have specially trained staff who can offer support and guidance to help you make an informed decision to help you stay in control of what happens next and what information you want to share. You don’t need to give us any detail in order for us to get you the support you need. We can help you get the medical help, psychological support, and we can provide academic support without sharing any details you don't want to share, we can provide you with support to report to the police or HR if that's what you wish to do too. You will be at the centre of all of your decision making and timeline, with our support.

What is an SVLO?

Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) are specifically trained members of staff who can provide emotional and practical support for a recent or historic incident of Gender Based Violence.

SVLOs provide advice and assistance to victim/survivor/reporting and responding students in the aftermath of sexual misconduct (Harassment or violence) (SVM), regardless of whether or not the case is reported to the police, or through Dyson discipline process.

The SVLO provides a proactive support and advice service to any student or staff member who has experienced SVHM. They can refer to personal support such as counselling, or academic support including that relating to attendance, Mitigating circumstances, continuation, suspension or cessation of study.

The SVLOs have the required knowledge and skills to support students who:

• wish to make allegations or complaints about harassment and/or sexual misconduct;
• have alleged and/or experienced incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct; and
• are the actual or alleged perpetrators of incidents of harassment and/or sexual misconduct.

Support for students involved in any way in an incident of harassment or sexual misconduct, is available whether considering next steps, prior or during an investigation process or decision making process is available.