Single Comprehensive Source of Information

Office for Students Condition E6

This page is the Single Comprehensive Source of Information (SCSI) required by the Office for Students under Condition E6.

At University Centre South Devon we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all higher education (HE) students. Any behaviour that would be considered as being harassment or sexual misconduct is a breach of the code of conduct for both staff and students. This page sets out how we respond to incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct.

This information applies to:

All higher education students at University Centre South Devon.

Incidents that occur on or off campus, including online.

Disclosures and reports made by students, staff or third parties.

Definitions of Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Harassment: University Centre South Devon aligns to the Office for Students definition of harassment, as informed by section 26 of the Equality Act 2010 and Section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Harassment, including sexual harassment, is defined as unwanted behaviour or conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading humiliating or offensive environment because of, or connected to, one or more of the following protected characteristics: age; disability; gender reassignment; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation.

Under section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 an offence is committed only if:

The person knows the conduct amounts to harassment of the other, or

A reasonable person in possession of the same information would think the course of conduct amounted to harassment of the other person

Sexual Misconduct: Any unwanted sexual act or behaviour including sexual harassment, unwanted touching, sexual assault including rape, stalking, upskirting, and non-consensual sharing of sexual images.

Reporting and Disclosures

A disclosure is when a student tells someone about an experience of harassment or sexual misconduct, but may not want any formal action.

A report is when a student formally notifies the College that they want the College to act – for example, to investigate under the HE Student Disciplinary Procedure or Staff Disciplinary Procedure.

Students can disclose first and decide later if they wish to make a report. We will support them throughout.

Who Can I Speak To?

Let us know. You can speak to any trusted staff member. Alternatively, you can visit the HE Student Wellbeing team or email them at: [email protected] or email us directly at: [email protected]

We will follow your lead on whether and how to take action, unless there are safeguarding or legal reasons to do otherwise.

Use ‘Speak Up’ – Our Online Reporting Tool

Students can use our ‘Speak Up’ platform to:

Make a named or anonymous disclosure
Report an incident formally
Ask for help, advice, or information
Share concerns on behalf of someone else

🔗 Speak Up – Report Bullying, Abuse, Harm or Hate

What happens if I report?

Reports will be investigated under the HE Student Disciplinary Procedure.

An Investigating Officer will be appointed. Risk assessments are completed if needed. We may apply interim safety measures, such as timetable changes, contact restrictions, or temporary suspension. Outcomes range from no further action to formal disciplinary penalties.

You’ll be kept informed throughout the process

Student Training

As part of our commitment to ensuring that students understand what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct all HE students will receive training annually through their tutorial programme. Course completion will be monitored, and we will work proactively with our students to gain their feedback and input into our approach as part of our annual cycle of student voice. Students who find the topic of training distressing will have the opportunity to opt out.

Signposting to this ‘Single Comprehensive Source of Information’ will also take place at the start of each year of study.

Staff Training

Every member of staff will receive annual in-person training which will include adult safeguarding, and the expectations within the staff code of conduct relating to harassment and sexual misconduct, and the College position on intimate personal relationships with students.

Personal Relationships Between Students and Staff

In line with our Staff Code of Conduct, staff should not enter into intimate personal relationships with students where there is a direct academic or support connection. Any pre-existing relations that formed prior to the student enrolling on their course of study should be disclosed to the People team, so that any conflict of interest can be managed and risks mitigated for the student.

Support

Internal Support

The University Centre South Devon Student Wellbeing Team will be the main source of support for students who are affected by harassment and misconduct. The team will be able to signpost you to external sources of support (some of which are listed below).

The HE Wellbeing Team are based on the ground floor of the University Centre, and can be emailed at [email protected].

External Support

Phoenix Rising CIC

The Phoenix Rising charity supports women over the age of 18yrs who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse (including sexual harassment). They offer a safe community based support for women, to aid them in the recovery from abuse. By providing recovery courses, online and in person, peer support groups and activities to aid healing, such as, Yoga, Tai Chi, Boxercise and more.

You will not be judged, they will support you with teaching you the knowledge you need to know to empower yourself in your healing and recovery.

To contact them and find out more – visit their website https://www.phoenixrisingcic.com/ or email us on [email protected]

You can also contact the following organisations for independent help:

Sexual Misconduct

Devon Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Services

The Survivor Pathway

Find a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

National Rape Crisis Helpline – 0808 500 2222

Harassment

Disabled Student Helpline

Citizens Advice – Harassment

Non-disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

South Devon College and University Centre South Devon do not use (and have not used) Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in relation to student allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct.

Single Comprehensive Source of Information

Office for Students Condition E6

Internal Support

External Support

Policies