Harassment Advisor Network

Information on support available to staff and students who feel they have been harassed or bullied

If you are looking to find your local Harassment Advisor please see the large red button on the right hand side of this page.

It may be that you have recently experienced an incident of harassment for the first time and want advice on trying to prevent further incidents from occurring. Alternatively, you may have suffered a prolonged period of harassment in silence and feel as though you have finally reached breaking point. Whatever stage or circumstance, there are many people available to help you. Harassment Advisors are also available if you have been accused of bullying or harassment and are looking for guidance.

There are approximately 490 Harassment Advisors across departments and faculties within the University. Details of the Harassment Advisors are posted on departmental and faculty office notice boards. There are also confidential advisors appointed within the colleges. The University recommends that you discuss the situation with a Harassment Advisor before taking any other steps in response to the alleged harassment. Talking through the events and your feelings with the advisor will help you decide on the best way to deal with the behaviour and will clarify the options available to you.

 

Sarah is one of our Harassment Advisors. She said,   

I know from my own experiences that it can be difficult to navigate complex policies and procedures when going through something emotionally difficult, and it can be incredibly helpful to have someone, somewhat external to the process, whose role is to support you and your choices. 

Read more of Sarah’s experience of being a Harassment Advisor here. 

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A conversation with a Harassment Advisor is just that, it is not the start of a process but an opportunity for you to voice your concerns in a supportive and non-judgemental space.    

A Harassment Advisor will: 

  • Deal with your case with the utmost confidentiality unless, exceptionally, an individual is considered to be at risk of serious harm. They would normally discuss this with you first. 
  • Listen. 
  • Be non-judgemental 
  • Guide you through the University or the relevant college Policy and Procedure on Harassment and Bullying.
  • Clarify the options open to you and support you in resolving the matter informally where possible.
  • Signpost you on to other agencies or support systems where appropriate.

Harassment Advisors provide similar support to those have been accused of harassment, however they will not support both parties in a case.

The Harassment Advisor cannot:

  • Make statements to the effect that particular behaviour definitely constitutes harassment that will lead to disciplinary action or to the  effect that a particular behaviour is NOT harassment, 
  • approach the alleged harasser in an attempt to mediate or resolve the matter for you;
  • act as your representative or advocate; or
  • be involved in any formal stage of the process, be it in writing the formal complaint, the investigation, disciplinary or grievance procedures, except by way of giving you the support you need during this time.

You can find the contact details of advisors in your Department or College on this page. Please note you will need to be signed in with SSO to access the page. 

If you would prefer to speak with an advisor entirely unconnected with your department, faculty, or college; the Harassment Line can find an alternative advisor for you.

Students

Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service is an all-in-one provision for any students regardless of age or gender who have been affected by sexual harassment or violence. They provide free support and advice, along with a safe place to be heard independent of your college or department.

Web: www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/supportservice?wssl=1

Email: supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk

 

Staff

A core group of Harassment Advisors have attended training with the Oxford Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre on supporting survivors of sexual violence. Please contact any of the following Advisors to arrange a meeting:

Susie Swan susie.swan@devoff.ox.ac.uk, a Harassment Advisor, has completed the Oxford City and County Council Champion training: The Champion is seen as the lead for domestic abuse issues within their agency or unit and acts as the contact in and out of that unit/agency. They will be able to advise their colleagues on management of individual cases and ensure that they are aware of and have access to local resources and support. For more information on the Champions programme and the local Domestic Abuse helpline, Reducing the Risk, visit: www.reducingtherisk.org.uk

If you are a department or faculty recruiting new Harassment Advisors you may find this Guidance useful. 

Changes to departmental Harassment Advisors

Email the EDU at equality@admin.ox.ac.uk for any changes to Harassment Advisors. Upon request, the EDU can remove or add Advisors to the Harassment Advisor Directory, the mailing list, and the Harassment Advisor webpage. If you would like to be re-added as a Harassment Advisor at a later date, please contact the same email address.  

Co-ordination and recruitment of Harassment Advisors

Although we do not require a formal 'Harassment Advisor Co-ordinator' role within departments, divisions or colleges, it is very useful to have at least one member of staff who is designated to do the following:  

  • Keep track of the current Harassment Advisors; 
  • Advise the EDU of any changes to Harassment Advisors;  
  • Circulate Harassment Advisor training dates and information to staff who are interested in becoming Advisors.  

 Further information on Harassment Advisor induction sessions can be found on the Harassment Training webpage.  

Talk and Support Sessions 

We also run three Talk and Support sessions a year:  

These sessions are designed to support Harassment Advisors in their role. Past sessions have been attended by the Proctors Office, the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service, HR, and Security Services. We have also had talks on Race Awareness, Mental Health awareness, Listening skills and Assertiveness skills.  The sessions provide an opportunity to learn, ask questions and talk with other Harassment Advisors.  Further information on Talk and Support sessions can be found on the Harassment Training webpage. 

FIND YOUR LOCAL HARASSMENT ADVISOR

Please note you will need to login to Single Sign-On (SSO) to access this page.

Contact us

Harassment Advisory Service

Report + Support

 

 

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