If a report has been made against you for bullying, harassment and/or sexual misconduct this report will be taken seriously and investigated through informal or formal channels.
King’s encourages you to engage with the following procedures in an open and respectful manner, with an aim of finding a positive resolution.
This may be a challenging time for you and King’s has support services available for you throughout these processes.
What should I do?
- Think. Seek advice and support to understand the process, and the concerns raised. You may find it helpful to discuss the matter with one of the external professional support services.
- You may also ask questions about the procedure and process from the nominated contact person or investigator.
- Stop the behaviour that’s been complained about straight away. Do not contact the person who has made a report about you.
- Contacting someone after they raise concerns about your behaviour could be seen as intimidating or retaliatory, even if this is not your intent.
- You should also limit comments about the matter to other colleagues, classmates or on social media.
- Acting out when you may be upset, confused or angry can make matters worse.
- Listen carefully to the particular concerns expressed. It’s good practice to take time to reflect on the other person’s perception of your behaviour. Even if you feel that your behaviour was well-intentioned, your words or actions may have hurt or offended another person, and this may be thought of as an opportunity for learning, or perhaps for a change of approach.
I'm a student. What happens if somebody makes a report against me?
If a report has been made about you, this report will have been reviewed by Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS). SSWS will provide the reporting party with information about whether they would like to pursue informal or formal resolution. If an investigation is required, you will be contacted by Student Conduct and Appeals.
Support for Reported Parties:
King’s understands that this may be a difficult time for you and you are encouraged to make use of the range of support available to you though King’s services and external support agencies:
- Your Personal Tutor or other trusted member of staff from your Faculty/Department
- (For PGR Students) Your Supervisor
- KCLSU Advice
- Your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor
- The Chaplaincy
- Specialist Welfare Advice or Counselling & Mental Health Services
I'm a staff member. What happens if somebody makes a report against me?
What happens when a report is made against me?
If a report has been made about you, this report will have been reviewed by a HR business partner. The HR business partner will advise the reporting party whether to pursue informal or formal resolution.
Further information, such as what happens in an informal resolution and formal investigation can be found in the Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct - Staff Procedure.
Support for Reported Parties:
King’s understands that this may be a difficult time for you and you are encouraged to make use of the range of support available to you though King’s services and external support agencies:
- Human Resources
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Trade Union Representation and Support
- Occupational Health
What about witnesses?
You should not contact any witnesses about the investigation yourself. The investigator may contact any relevant and appropriate witnesses as part of their enquiry. If you believe there are other people who have information about what has happened, you should make a note of their names and provide this to the investigator.
What about the police?
The university’s procedures consider whether the university’s regulations may have been breached. The university does not make decisions about whether a criminal offence has occurred. The university’s investigation is not a court of law and do not consider cases in the same way as a court, nor make decisions based on what a court may do in the same case.
- If a report has also been made to the police, the university’s investigation may be put on hold.
- The university will cooperate with police to ensure that any criminal matter is not jeopardised.
- The university may proceed with an internal investigation if the police say that it is ok for this to happen, or the police investigation or criminal proceedings are concluded.
You should be aware that the university may take temporary safeguarding measures to ensure the safety of the King’s community whilst any police investigation takes place.
Seek further support
There are a range of support options for you depending on whether you’re a student or a staff member: