Our approach

Harassment, including sexual harassment, includes 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 o

Sexual misconduct means any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and includes, but is not limited to:

• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
• Rape

Consent means agreeing to what's happening by choice and having the freedom and ability to make or change that choice.

• You can change your mind at any point and withdraw consent for anything sexual you're doing.
• If someone carries on after you've asked them to stop, that's still rape or sexual assault, even if you originally said yes.
• Saying yes to one thing doesn't mean you've consented to anything else.
• If you're threatened or pressured into something, then you haven't consented freely and it's a crime.
• If you can't freely give consent then it's a crime, for example if you're asleep, too drunk to consent or have taken drugs.

How to get consent

• The person seeking or initiating sex is responsible for getting consent.
• Ask yourself if the other person is capable of giving consent.
• If they are on drugs or too drunk, asleep or unconscious they cannot choose.
• Some people living with a mental health problem, a learning disability or a head injury may not have the capacity to consent.
• You can confirm if you have consent by checking the other person's body language and by asking them.
• Check with them each time you start a new type of sexual activity.
• Check with them on each occasion you start any sexual conduct.
• Look at their body language and facial expression to see if they are eager and comfortable.
• Ask them if they are okay.
• If they seem unhappy, or you are not sure they are consenting, stop.
• Silence, or the absence of a "no", does not guarantee somebody is consenting.
• A clear affirmative freely-given "yes" indicates consent.

Source: Consentiseverything.com visit the website for more information.

• We will believe you and be led by you. You will be in control of what you do or don’t do next.
• We work in a trauma-informed way, to ensure you are being supported without having to relive your experiences.
• We provide a safe space where you will be listened to without judgement.
• We treat everyone as an individual and recognise that life experiences and identity can impact on your experience of sexual violence.
• There are times we may be required to share information outside of the service – if there was a significant risk to you or another student, for example. We will always discuss this with you. 
• We may need to share any information with other agencies such as Police and Children’s Services if the matter reported relates to a child under the age of 18, or a vulnerable adult.  

What to expect

We will:

• Discuss immediate safety options with you and help organise these if needed.
• Help you navigate options for specialist support, including making referrals where necessary. This might include support particular to your needs or identity, such as LGBTQ+ support or support for male survivors.
• Talk through resources and methods to help you understand and process your responses to what has happened.
• Help liaise with college if your studies are being impacted, without disclosing details of your experience.
• Support you throughout the reporting process, if you choose to make a report through the college.
• Liaise with your Independent Sexual Violence Adviser if you have made a report through the police.

What if I have been accused of something?

CCN HE is committed to treating all students and staff fairly and in a supportive manner. The college will not make assumptions based on an initial report and will not seek to apportion ‘blame’ until the incident has been reviewed and if necessary investigated. Support will be made available to both the individual raising the concern and the accused.

Visit the Policies and Procedures section of our website.