If you think you have experienced sexual misconduct, assault or harassment, you may be feeling overwhelmed, confused or unsure of what to do next.
What happened was not your fault. Whatever you decide to do, the choice is yours.
The guidance below explains the support available and the options you can consider, helping you make informed decisions about what feels right for you.
You can also view the process of getting support at the following links:
You do not have to deal with this alone. We encourage you to speak to someone you trust or access support.
- Are you in immediate danger or need urgent medical help? If you are in immediate danger or have been seriously injured, call the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone). Report and Support is not an emergency reporting tool.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has happened, and you are able to, try to get to a safe place.
- Call Campus Security if you are on campus - 01227 823333.
- Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARCs) provide specialist support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence. Offering crisis care, emotional and psychological support and medical and forensic examinations. You can access a SARC whether or not you choose to report to the police. For more information, see our SARC page.
- Seek Medical Care Get medical advice for any injury, even if it does not seem serious. You can contact NHS 111, your GP or A&E, depending on the urgency.
- Tell someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, member of staff, medical staff or University support service. You do not have to deal with it alone.
- You do not have to decide what to do immediately. You can access support without making a formal report, see the Get Support section below for more information.
- Consider reporting when you feel ready. The reporting report options below explain how you can report to the University, the Police or anonymously.
- Keep any information or evidence, if it is safe and you feel comfortable doing so. Do not put yourself at risk to collect evidence.
- Look after your wellbeing. You may feel shocked, frightened, angry, numb or unsure how you feel. These are all understandable responses.
You can access support from the University 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Specialist members of staff can support you and provide information about what do next, how to access support and give information about reporting options.
The specialist staff at the university will never make assumptions about what you want to do, and will respect any decision that you make. The only exception to this will be if it is considered that, there is a substantial risk to you or to members of the University Community.
If you would like to speak to someone about the incident you can contact any of the following services:
Specialist Wellbeing Team
Specialist Wellbeing Advisers provide practical support and advice to anyone who has experienced an incident and would like support. Support is available at both Medway and Canterbury campuses. You can book an appointment with the Specialist Wellbeing Team by emailing KentSSW@kent.ac.uk, or by calling 01227 823158 from Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
If you decide to report an incident via a Report and Support report, the Specialist Wellbeing Team will be informed. If you choose to submit a named report with contact details, a Specialist Wellbeing Adviser will be in touch within 3 working days.
Please see Privacy Notice for details on how data will be stored.
University Sexual Assault Responders (SARs).
Sexual Assault Responders are trained members of staff who are available outside of normal office hours. They offer support, advice and information in a safe and confidential space (on campus) about what next steps are available, and can help you access a SARC.
Any student, regardless of gender, gender identity or sexuality, can access a Sexual Assault Responder. Sexual Assault Responders also work in conjunction with the Specialist Wellbeing Team.
Support from a Sexual Assault Responder can be accessed via Campus Security. You can access support through Campus Security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact Campus Security on 3333 or 01227 823333 or go to Campus Security (24 hours).
Sexual Assault Responders will not automatically be called if you submit a report via Report and Support. You will need to use the numbers above to access this service.
More information about how to further support is at the bottom of this page.
Deciding whether to report an incident is a personal decision and can feel overwhelming. There is support available whatever you decide.
- Report and Support. Report and Support is the University’s online reporting tool. You can choose to make an anonymous report or request support from an adviser, without immediately starting a formal complaint. The option you choose determines what happens next: anonymous reports help the University understand patterns and concerns, while requesting adviser support allows an adviser to contact you to discuss your options. No formal investigation will be triggered without your consent, but you can still access support.
- University Procedure. If you would like to discuss your options informally before deciding if you want to make a formal complaint to the university, you can do so by submitting a named Report and Support report. Further details can be found on the Student Appeals, Conduct and Complaints page along with the steps and procedures to follow if you choose to make a formal complaint.
- Reporting Anonymously via Crimestoppers. If you are worried about a reporting process, and would prefer to report anonymously, you can report to Crimestoppers. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that enables people to share information about crime anonymously. Crimestoppers will send your report to the relevant local police force. Find out more on the Crimestoppers website.
Thinking about reporting to the police?
Deciding whether to report an incident to the police can be difficult, particularly if you are feeling overwhelmed or in shock. Whether or not you report is your decision, and support is available whatever you choose.
You do not have to make a decision immediately. Take the time you need to consider your options and decide what feels right for you. You may find it helpful to talk things through with someone you trust or a member of the University's Specialist Wellbeing team.
The University will respect your decisions wherever possible. The only exception is where there is a significant safeguarding concern or a serious risk of harm to you or another member of the University community.
If you do decide to report the assault to the police, and it is not an immediate emergency, call 101. To find out more information about how Kent Police can support you, please click here.
Kent Police have information on their website about reporting sexual assaults. If you decide to report, the police will support and guide you through the process and will assign a specialist from their Sexual Offences Investigation Team.
If forensic evidence is required and has not already been collected, then the Police may accompany you to Kent and Medway Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at Maidstone.
It is important for you to know that the University will respect your decision about whether or not you wish to report the incident to the Police. The only exception to this will be if it is considered that there is a substantial risk to you or to members of the University community.
Confidentiality
Your confidentiality will be respected, and information will not be shared beyond the relevant staff (detailed above) without your consent unless you or others are at significant risk. We do not report incidents to the police without the consent of the reporting person unless you or others are at significant risk.
If Campus Security have been informed of an incident, then the Specialist Wellbeing Team will automatically be informed. The Specialist Wellbeing Team will contact you to help you receive any information or support you need.
Anonymous reports to the University, including those via Report and Support, will not instigate any part of an investigation process.
If you think you may want a forensic medical examination, and it is safe and practical to do so, try to avoid:
- eating or drinking
- smoking or vaping
- brushing your teeth
- washing or showering
- changing your clothes
- going to the toilet
If you have done any of the above, you can still access support from the SARC or contact the police.
If you have changed your clothes, or have items such as bedding or condoms that may be evidence, keep them in separate clean bags where possible.
Further information about preserving evidence is available from Rape Crisis England & Wales.
Whilst you do not need to report the incident to the University or police immediately, it is important to note the following time limits:
- If you suspect you were given any type of drug, it is best to be tested within 24 hours.
- If you are thinking of having a forensic medical examination, try to go to the SARC or police as soon as you can and within 72 hours if possible.
- If you need emergency contraception, the medication should be started within 72 hours. Information about accessing a nurse can be found on the Health Services page.
- If you think you may need HIV prophylaxis, the medication should be started within 72 hours.
- Specialist Wellbeing Team During office hours, the Specialist Wellbeing Team provide practical support and advice to anyone who has experienced an incident and would like support. Support is available at both Medway and Canterbury campuses. You can book an appointment with the Specialist Wellbeing Team by emailing KentSSW@kent.ac.uk, or by calling 01227 823158 from Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
- Medical Support: If you think you require medical assistance following an incident, you are able to access Health Service Information. Accessing medical support would be dealt with confidentially in accordance with the NHS Code of Practice and would not be shared with the University.
- Counselling Service Students are able to access support from the University's counselling team within Student Support and Wellbeing. Counselling provides a safe space to address the impact that an incident has had on you. All counsellors are fully qualified members of BACP, BABCP, or UKCP, and adhere to ethical guidelines. Counselling can be accessed by emailing: counselling@kent.ac.uk or by calling 01227 823206.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Mental Health Advisers can offer advice and support if an incident has affected your mental health. If you need urgent support, please call 01227 826573 or email KentSSW@kent.ac.uk and ask for an on-the-day appointment.
- SpectrumLife Providing in the moment support online, text or telephone. Call 0800 0318227 and press option 1, or text or Whatsapp 'Hi' to 07418 360780.
- Domestic Abuse: If you think you are (or someone you know is) in an abusive relationship, you can go to a One Stop Shop at Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Service, or speak with the University's Specialist Wellbeing Adviser by emailing KentSSW@kent.ac.uk or by calling 01227 82 3158 from Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. More information is available here.
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I think I have experienced sexual misconduct (students)
What is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)?
I think someone I know has experienced sexual misconduct (students)