Oldham College

University Level Support

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Oldham College (including University Campus Oldham) has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and sexual harassment of any kind. We are wholly committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for all members of our community at all times.

Introduction

Any form of harassment or sexual misconduct is unacceptable, and we will work to help prevent and respond to any instances that occur.

If you feel you have been affected by sexual harassment or sexual misconduct at any time, you will find information below on how to report an incident, access support at University Campus Oldham and find external support services.

Recognising Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassment takes many forms. Watch this short video from Crimestoppers UK to learn more about the different forms of sexual harassment and why it is important to recognise and challenge unacceptable behaviour.

Reporting an Incident

We believe that bullying, harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, domestic abuse, hate crime and discrimination are never okay.

Our anonymous incident reporting form below allows students, staff and visitors to report concerns.

You can also report a concern and access support from a trained member of staff by emailing ucodisclosures@oldham.ac.uk. Please note that reports submitted by email are not anonymous.

If you submit an anonymous report using the form below, you will not be contacted by a member of staff.

Anonymous Incident Report Form

UCO Incident

Name

What is Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence and Sexual Misconduct?

  • Sexual Harassment is defined as: Unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating the recipient’s dignity, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the recipient.
  • Sexual Violence is defined as: Any sexual act that happens without consent, including gestures, sounds, words and actions.
  • Sexual Misconduct is defined as: Sexual misconduct relates to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and ranges from pinching, embracing, groping and kissing, to rape and serious sexual assault involving penetration without consent. This also includes distributing private and personal explicit images or video footage of an individual without their consent.
  • Consent is defined as: Someone consents if they agree by choice and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.

(Sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 74.)

Support at University Campus Oldham

If you wish to report something and speak to someone confidentially, the Student Life Officer and Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services are available on-site to speak to you and signpost you to further support if needed.

You can also request to speak to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor through the Student Life Officer or Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services:

Laura Macmillan
laura.macmillan@oldham.ac.uk

The information you disclose does not begin the formal complaints process, but you may be contacted to establish whether you would like us to initiate this process on your behalf using the information you provide.

We will not disclose any personal or identifiable information to external organisations unless we believe there is a genuine threat to a person’s health and safety.

The support you receive is collaborative, holistic and grounded in consent. Notes from conversations will only be stored within CPOMS, our secure confidential note-taking system, which is only accessible to authorised staff.

Any reports of sexual harassment and misconduct involving students will be investigated by the Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Services. Reports relating to staff conduct will be handled by Human Resources.

External Support if you have experienced Sexual Harassment, Assault or Violence

Support for Men

  • We Are Survivors is a specialist support service that aims to create and facilitate safe spaces for male (including trans and non-binary individuals) survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester, providing access to quality assured support. Access support from We Are Survivors
  • The Maggie Oliver Foundation provides support for men (18+) who have experienced any form of sexual violence in their past or as an adult. Access support for men from The Maggie Oliver Foundation
  • Andy’s Mans Club is an organisation which allows men to talk openly about their issues, no matter what they are. Find support from ANDYSMANCLUB.

Self-help and Support Resources for Supporting Others

These resources may help you if you are supporting someone else or if you would prefer to access self-help resources after being affected by sexual harassment and misconduct.

Academic Support and Support if experiencing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Please speak to your Course Leader or access the information on the VLE if you feel that your experiences are affecting your ability to complete your course. This is also something that can be discussed during an initial disclosure or through ongoing support.

If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, the following resources may be useful:

LGBTQ+ Support

Training and Awareness

All UCO staff complete comprehensive training delivered by specialist trainers from New Pathways, a leading sexual violence support provider in the UK, with 30 years’ experience of delivering specialist therapeutic support to adults and children affected by the trauma of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse.

This training is tailored to include UCO-specific context for our policies and procedures and equips staff with the skills and knowledge to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual harassment and misconduct.

Trained Independent Sexual Violence Advisors are available to speak to students who disclose incidents of sexual harassment, and a trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) will be available to all HE students on campus to identify risks and appropriately support students who are victims of sexual violence.

Incidents can be disclosed which may have happened before beginning studies with us and may not involve another student or staff member.

They may also not have taken place on campus.

Support is available whether a student chooses to make a formal report to the University Campus Oldham or the police.

All new students are required to complete the mandatory training module which has been devised in line with Office for Students guidelines and is delivered by New Pathways, a leading sexual violence support provider in the UK, with 30 years’ experience of delivering specialist therapeutic support to adults and children affected by the trauma of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse.

This module is accessed online and delivered through pre-recorded modular webinars, quizzes, distance travelled measurements and student certificates.

It equips all students with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to behaviours that constitute harassment and sexual misconduct, as well as prevent and mitigate risks.

Whilst students complete the module, they will have access to trained sexual violence trainers to ask questions or seek support as necessary.

It is important to recognise that some students may have lived experiences which are related to the topics covered within this training and that completing the modules may be triggering for some people.

Students are encouraged to inform trusted staff of any concerns about completing the training, so these can be discussed with trained staff and support put in place as needed.

Freedom of Speech

University Campus Oldham has a Code of Conduct that supports freedom of speech and reinforces its commitment to academic freedom. The Freedom of Speech Code of Conduct can be found in the Policies and Procedures section of this page.

Academic freedom safeguards the intellectual autonomy of academics, enabling them to explore, evaluate and disseminate novel or contentious ideas without the risk of losing their jobs or facing disciplinary measures.

Policies and Procedures

Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy - 67 KB

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Strategy - 92 KB

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy - 92 KB

Staff Code of Conduct - 62 KB

HE Student Complaints Policy and Procedure - 209 KB

Freedom of Speech Code of Conduct - 176 KB

Personal Relationship Policy - 48 KB

Partner Institutions’ Sources of Information

Here you will find links to our partner institutions’ comprehensive sources of information about sexual harassment, which can be accessed if needed.

 

Accreditations

Oldham College and University Campus Oldham 2026 All Rights Reserved