Sexual Harrasment and Misconduct

What is Sexual Misconduct?

Sexual misconduct is uninvited or unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature, or which can reasonably be interpreted as sexual, that offends, embarrasses, harms, humiliates or intimidates an individual or group. Sexual misconduct encompasses elements of harassment, violence and abuse and can be physical, verbal or visual. Sexual Misconduct can include behaviour considered to be Sexual Harassment, but also includes potentially criminal behaviour such as sexual assault, stalking, sharing private images and message, and rape.

What is Consent?

Consent means that both people have agreed by choice, and they have the freedom and capacity to make that choice to engage is sexual conduct. This also means that a persons consent must continue to be given, and a person has the right to say no, or stop at any time; and if the capacity of a person to continue to give consent is impaired, then it should be taken than consent is no longer given.

A person can not given consent if they are threatened with violence or subjected to actual violence to themselves, their property or others; are asleep, unconscious, drugged or incapacitated; or because of a disability were unable to communicate consent, or have the mental capacity to consent to sexual conduct.

Watch this short animation explaining the concept of consent using the analogy of a cup of tea: Tea and Consent (Clean).

Reporting sexual harrasment and sexual misconduct

Informal advice

If you would like to informally talk to someone about your experience, please contact our Helpdesk confidentially and the team will direct you to the appropraite team: lead.employer@sthk.nhs.uk or call us on 0151 478 7777

Raising a concern

You can raise a concern or raise a informal grievance with any of the following:

Resolving workplace issues
Chat to Jo - speak directly with our Assistant Director of HR
Raising Concerns page on the website, which includes the full policy

To raise your concerns formally, submit these in writing to your host placement contact and Lead Employer, detailing the nature of the complaint, in accordance with the Respect and Dignity at Work Policy.

Further resources

If you have concerns over domestic abuse or would like to talk to someone about this, please visit our dedicated webpage to gain the support you or someone you know, needs.