It can be very distressing if you have been accused of committing an unwanted behaviour.
The University will not make assumptions on the relative merits of a report. No party will be considered ‘at fault’ until a report has been reviewed and/or investigated. All those involved will be treated fairly and offered advice and support. Find out more by reading our policy and procedures:
It might be useful to read about some of the behaviours that describe:
Getting Support
Support at Durham University
Internal Support for Students and Staff
We have a network of bullying and harassment support advisors that can assist staff and students with enquiries and can answer questions on University policies and sources of help and support.
We have a team of trained and experienced practitioners who are available all year round to registered students via self-referral and to staff members via a referral from Occupational Health. Our counsellors can offer time-limited individual sessions to help you develop insight into your thoughts and feelings, and help build the skills to manage your wellbeing and make changes in your life.
Chaplains are an integral part of the welfare provision and pastoral support that the University offers both to staff and students. Chaplains at Durham are either based in Colleges where their care is for all members of College, or they work across the University where the Chaplain usually represents a particular denomination or faith community (though they are still available to everyone).
Internal Support for Students
The college support office can be approached by students for general guidance on what to do if they have been accused of committing a hate incident. The college support officers will be able to help, particularly if the hate incident has occurred within the college, as they may have college-specific procedures that they can follow.
Independent support is also available to students through the Help and Advice Service at the Students’ Union.
Nightline is a student-run, non-directive, non-advisory listening service open every night of term between 21:00 and 07:00. It enables students to talk to another student confidentially. Their contact number (0191 334 6444) along with other emergency contacts can be found at the back of Durham University campus cards.
Internal Support for Staff
Line managers
A staff member’s line manager has a neutral role to listen and to suggest a possible way forward. They can also advise you of procedures, both informal and formal and provide you with a copy of the policy and procedures.
The University has a team of Human Resource (HR) Business Partners and Advisors who can talk through the University’s procedures, in confidence.
The Occupational Health Service is part of the University’s Human Resources team. Occupational health advisers maintain an autonomous role within the University and provide an accessible, confidential service for all staff.
External Support
They provide free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,000 locations. Advice is available face-to-face and by telephone.
They are able to provide free legal advice on a range of issues.
They have a confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner. They can be contacted at Tel: 0808 802 4040 (open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm). A web chat service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00am to 4.00pm.
They can provide support and information if you are having a difficult time, are struggling to cope or if you are worried about someone else. They have a team of volunteers who are available to be contacted any time through their Helpline: 116 123. This number is free to call from both landlines and mobiles, including pay-as-you-go mobiles. You can also email them through: jo@samaritans.org.