If you or someone you know has experienced any form of harassment, you can report it here! This could include bullying, disablism, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religious based hate, sexual harassment or anything else that has made you uncomfortable.
Remember: reporting is not anonymous
Please note that this is not an emergency service. This form will not be monitored outside of regular College hours. If you need immediate support, please go to Student Services on your site or call the Safeguarding number: 0300 30 30 009
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Support Pages
Not sure what you experienced? Our support pages below can give you more understanding on different issues
Support & Signposting
What is Ageism?
Ageism is a dislike for, prejudice against, or discrimination towards people due to their age. Ageism can affect people at any age, and both young and old people can experience ageism.
Ageism sometimes intersects with other characteristics such as misogyny. For example, making rude remarks about an older woman’s appearance would be both ageist and misogynistic.
What can Ageism look like?
Ageism can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Dismissing ideas: A younger student to a mature student: “No offence, but your ideas are a bit old-fashioned for this project.”
Social exclusion: A group of students joking about a mature student needing a “nap” and not inviting them to a social event.
Tech assumptions: A student saying to a mature student, “Do you even know how to use that app?” with a condescending tone.
Underestimating ability: A student to a younger peer: “You’re way too young to handle a complex task like this.”
Age-based jokes: Students making fun of a mature student for being “slow” or a younger student for being “immature.”
Excluding from groups: Younger students forming a group and saying, “We need people who get our references,” implying a mature student wouldn’t.
Condescending language: A younger student using overly simplistic language when explaining something to a mature student.
Support on Ageism
If you think you have experienced ageism you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on ageism:
What is Anti-Semitism?
Anti-Semitism is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards Jewish people. It is a form of faith based hate, and racism. Anti-Semitism could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
Anti-Semitism is linked to racism, and xenophobia. Judaism is not just a religion, but also an ethnicity. Some actions could be considered hate crimes or hate incidents.
What can Anti-Semitism look like?
Anti-Semitism can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Stereotypical jokes or comments: A student telling jokes that rely on harmful stereotypes about Jewish people, such as those relating to money or appearance.
Holocaust denial or trivialization: A student making statements that deny or downplay the significance of the Holocaust, causing distress and offense.
Conspiracy theories: A student sharing or promoting conspiracy theories that blame Jewish people for global issues or events.
Online harassment: Students posting anti-Semitic comments, memes, or images in online group chats or on social media platforms used by the college community.
Vandalism or graffiti: A student drawing or writing anti-Semitic symbols or slurs.
Exclusion or isolation: A student or group of students deliberately excluding or isolating a Jewish student based on their religious or cultural identity.
Aggressive questioning or accusations: A student aggressively questioning a Jewish student about their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a way that feels accusatory and assumes all Jewish people hold the same opinions.
Microaggressions: Subtle but offensive comments that reflect underlying anti-Semitic bias, such as asking a Jewish student where they are “really from” or making assumptions about their religious observance.
Support on Anti-Semitism
If you think you have experienced anti-semitism you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk or the college Chaplain by contacting chaplaincy@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on anti-semitism:
What is Anti Gypsyism?
Anti Gypsyism is a dislike for, prejudice against, or discrimination towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people. It is a form of faith based hate, and racism. Whilst not all people from the GRT community will identify with the term ‘gypsy’, the term antigypsyism is used by the European Parliament.
Anti Gypsyism is a form of racism. Some actions could be considered hate crimes or hate incidents.
What can Anti Gypsyism look like?
Anti Gypsyism can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Stereotypical jokes and slurs: A student telling jokes or using derogatory terms and slurs that perpetuate negative stereotypes about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people (e.g., relating to theft, uncleanliness, or lack of education).
Assumptions about lifestyle: Students making assumptions about a Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller student’s background, such as assuming they don’t live in a house or that their family is involved in certain activities based on harmful stereotypes.
Social exclusion: A group of students deliberately excluding a student they perceive to be from a Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller background from social activities or group work.
Online harassment: Students posting negative comments or stereotypes about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people in online college forums or social media groups.
Microaggressions: Subtle but offensive remarks that reveal underlying prejudice, such as asking a student with a Romani-sounding name if they “live in a caravan” or expressing surprise at their academic achievements.
Blaming individuals for systemic issues: A student blaming a Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller student for societal issues or negative perceptions, rather than understanding the history of discrimination and marginalization.
Cultural mockery: Students misrepresenting or mocking aspects of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller culture.
Prejudice in group projects: Students being reluctant to work with a student they perceive to be from a Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller background due to prejudiced assumptions about their reliability or contribution.
Support on Anti Gypsyism
If you think you have experienced Anti Gypsyism you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on Anti Gypsyism:
Friends, Families & Travellers
What is Bullying?
Bullying is any repeated unwanted behaviour towards an individual or group of learners.
Bullying often includes an imbalance of power, and is repeated.
If the unwanted behaviour is due to the victims characteristics, then this would be considered harassment.
What can Bullying look like?
Bullying can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Verbal insults: A student constantly making fun of another student’s clothes or how they speak.
Spreading rumours: Students gossiping and spreading lies about someone behind their back.
Social exclusion: A group deliberately ignoring someone or telling others not to talk to them.
Pushing and shoving: A student physically intimidating another by pushing them in the hallway.
Damaging belongings: Someone deliberately breaking or stealing another student’s phone.
Hurtful messages: Students sending nasty messages to someone online.
Sharing embarrassing content: Someone posting an embarrassing photo of another student without their permission.
Pressuring behaviour: A student trying to force another to do something they’re uncomfortable with.
Support on Bullying
If you think you have experienced bullying you can get advice from Safeguarding by contacting safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on Bullying:
What is Classism?
Classism is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards people due to their social class. Classism usually affects people from lower socio-economic classes.
Classism takes many forms, however classism is not protected under hate crimes or incidents. Social class is also not a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Despite this, it is still an important issue to address.
What can Classism look like?
Classism can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Mocking socioeconomic background: A student making fun of another student for not having the latest expensive gadgets or designer clothes.
Assumptions about experiences: Students assuming a student from a less affluent background hasn’t travelled or experienced certain cultural activities.
Exclusion based on perceived wealth: A group of students with more financial resources planning social activities that are unaffordable for others and not considering alternatives.
Condescending attitudes: A student from a more privileged background making condescending remarks about the part of town another student lives in or the school they previously attended.
Belittling career aspirations: Students from more affluent backgrounds dismissing the career ambitions of those aiming for vocational or “working-class” jobs.
Jokes about financial struggles: Students making light of another student’s need to work part-time or their concerns about money.
Assumptions about intelligence or ability: Students from more privileged backgrounds wrongly assuming they are more intelligent or capable than students from less affluent backgrounds.
Microaggressions related to resources: Subtle remarks that highlight class differences, such as expressing surprise that someone doesn’t have a car or relies on public transport.
Support on Classism
If you think you have experienced classism you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on classism:
What is Disablism?
Disablism is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards people with disabilities.
Disablism affects people with both visible disabilities e.g. using a wheelchair, but also those with invisible disabilities e.g. diabetes. People who are neurodiverse (have ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia etc.) can also experience disablism.
Disablism could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
What can Disablism look like?
Disablism can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Making assumptions about abilities: A student assuming a classmate with a physical disability cannot participate in a certain activity without even asking.
Using ableist language: Students using derogatory or offensive terms related to disability in everyday language or directed at a disabled student.
Mimicking or mocking a disability: A student imitating someone’s speech pattern, movements, or other characteristics related to their disability for amusement.
Excluding someone from group work or social activities: Students deliberately leaving out a classmate with a disability, assuming they won’t be able to contribute or participate fully without discussing it with them.
Making unwanted or unsolicited help: A student constantly offering help to a disabled classmate even when it’s not needed or wanted, undermining their independence.
Asking intrusive or inappropriate questions: Students asking a disabled classmate overly personal and insensitive questions about their condition.
Ignoring or talking over a disabled student: Students not listening to or interrupting a classmate with a communication or learning disability.
Making inaccessible environments a joke: Students making light of or being insensitive to the challenges faced by disabled students due to a lack of accessibility.
Belittling achievements: Students downplaying the accomplishments of a disabled student by attributing them to pity or lower expectations.
Support on Disablism
If you think you have experienced disablism you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on disablism:
What is Discrimination?
Discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals or groups of individuals based on their characteristics.
Discrimination differs constitutes denying people opportunities, access or fairness because of their identity.
A person can still be discriminated against for a characteristic they do not actually hold. A person can also be discriminated against because of their connections to people with certain characteristics.
What can Discrimination look like?
Discrimination can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Direct Discrimination:
Admissions: A student is denied a place on a course solely because of their nationality, despite meeting all entry requirements.
Teaching: A tutor consistently provides less support and attention to a student with a visible disability compared to their non-disabled peers.
Assessment: A student receives a lower grade on an assignment due to the marker’s bias against their religious beliefs, even though the work meets the criteria.
Resources: A student is prevented from participating in a college-organised trip because the venue is inaccessible to wheelchair users, and no reasonable adjustments are made.
Indirect Discrimination:
Admissions: The college’s entry criteria heavily favour applicants with specific qualifications that are more commonly attained by students from privileged backgrounds, unintentionally disadvantaging others.
Teaching: Course materials are predominantly presented in a visual format without sufficient audio descriptions or alternative formats, disadvantaging visually impaired students.
Assessment: Exam schedules consistently clash with significant religious holidays for certain student groups, and no alternative arrangements are offered.
Resources: Key student support services are located in buildings without full accessibility (e.g., no lift access), making them difficult or impossible for some students to reach.
Support on Discrimination
If you think you have experienced discrimination you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on discrimination:
What is Faith Based Hate?
Faith based hate is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards people because of their religion. Faith based hate could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
Any religion can experience faith based hate, which includes Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. Some Faith Based Hate is related to Racism, and Xenophobia.
What can Faith Based Hate look like?
Faith Based Hate can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Verbal abuse and insults: A student directing offensive and derogatory language towards another student because of their religious beliefs (e.g., using slurs or stereotypes associated with a particular faith).
Making threats or inciting violence: A student making threats against another student or a religious group, or sharing content that promotes violence against people of a specific faith.
Vandalism and defacement: A student vandalising or defacing property with anti-religious symbols or messages targeting a particular faith group within the college.
Online harassment and hate speech: Students posting hateful comments, images, or videos targeting specific religions in online college forums, social media groups, or private messages.
Exclusion and isolation: A student or group of students deliberately excluding or isolating a student based on their religious affiliation.
Disrupting religious practices: Students intentionally disrupting or mocking the religious practices of others (e.g., interrupting prayers or study of religious texts).
Spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories: Students sharing false or misleading information and conspiracy theories that demonize or blame a particular religious group.
Microaggressions based on faith: Subtle but offensive remarks that reveal prejudice or stereotypes about a person’s faith (e.g., asking a Muslim student if they are forced to wear a hijab).
Support on Faith Based Hate
If you think you have experienced classism you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk or the college Chaplain by contacting chaplaincy@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on Faith Based Hate:
What is Harassment?
Harassment is any unwanted behaviour related towards people based on their identity or characteristics. This unwanted behaviour violates the person’s dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Harassment is usually based on the Protected Characteristics within the Equality Act, but we can interpret it for other characteristics e.g. social class. In some cases, harassment can be a hate crime.
What can Harassment look like?
Harassment can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Persistent unwanted attention: Repeatedly asking someone out after they’ve said no, or constantly trying to engage with them when they’ve made it clear they want to be left alone.
Offensive jokes or banter: Telling jokes or engaging in “banter” that is sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, disablist, ageist, or faith-based, even if the person telling the joke doesn’t intend to cause harm. What one person finds funny, another can find deeply offensive.
Intrusive questioning or comments: Asking someone overly personal questions about their private life, appearance, or identity in a way that feels uncomfortable or invasive.
Displaying offensive materials: Showing or sharing images, videos, or other materials that are sexually suggestive, discriminatory, or hateful. This could be in person or online.
Spreading malicious rumours or gossip: Spreading false or negative information about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation or causing them distress.
Cyberstalking: Using electronic communication to repeatedly harass or intimidate someone, such as sending threatening messages, monitoring their online activity without consent, or spreading private information.
Unwanted physical contact: Touching someone without their consent, invading their personal space, or making unwanted physical advances.
Creating a hostile environment: Engaging in any of the above behaviours (or a series of them) that creates an environment where a person feels uncomfortable, intimidated, or unable to learn or socialise effectively. This could be directed at an individual or create a general atmosphere within a group or the college.
Support on Harassment
If you think you have experienced harassment you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk or Safeguarding at safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on harassment:
What is Hate Crime?
A hate crime is any criminal offence where the victim, or anyone else, perceives it to be motivated by an individual’s:
- Disability
- Gender Reassignment (being transgender or non-binary)
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual Orientation
In some areas, alternative subcultures are also included in this list. Incitement of hatred, where someone calls for harm of violence towards a specific group, is also a hate crime. Hate crimes are illegal, and this definition is in law. If the victim or anyone else perceives the crime to be motivated by hate, it can be recorded as a hate crime.
If the action does not constitute a crime, but is still prejudice, this could be considered a hate incident.
What can Hate Crime look like?
Hate Crime can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Physical assault motivated by prejudice: A student physically attacks another student because of their race or sexual orientation.
Vandalism with hateful messaging: Someone spray-paints racist, homophobic, transphobic, disablist, or anti-religious graffiti on college property or a student’s belongings.
Verbal abuse that constitutes a criminal offence: Making severe threats or using highly offensive language that incites hatred towards a student because of their faith. This could potentially be a public order offence.
Online hate speech that constitutes a criminal offence: Posting severely threatening or abusive content online targeting an individual or group based on a protected characteristic, potentially breaching hate crime legislation.
Damage to property motivated by prejudice: Deliberately damaging the property of a student or the college because of a discriminatory motive, such as smashing the window of a disabled student’s car.
Harassment that escalates to a criminal level: Persistent and severe discriminatory harassment that causes significant alarm or distress and may constitute offences under harassment laws.
Support on Hate Crime
If you think you have experienced a hate crime you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk or Safeguarding at safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on hate crime:
What is a Hate Incident?
A hate incident is any incident where the victim, or anyone else, perceives it to be motivated by prejudice towards an individual’s: disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, or sexuality. In some areas, alternative subcultures are also included in this list.
If hate incidents are repeated this can constitute harassment, which is a hate crime if towards the above five groups. This will be treated as a criminal offence.
What can a Hate Incident look like?
Hate Incident can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Using offensive language: A student using derogatory terms or slurs related to someone’s race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender identity, but not in a way that constitutes a criminal threat or public order offence.
Displaying offensive symbols or materials: A student displaying a t-shirt with a homophobic slogan or drawing a racist caricature, where it doesn’t necessarily cross the threshold of inciting hatred but is still offensive and targeted.
Distributing offensive leaflets or stickers: Students distributing materials containing prejudiced messages, even if the content doesn’t meet the legal definition of hate speech.
Making unwelcome jokes or banter: Telling jokes that rely on harmful stereotypes related to protected characteristics, causing offence and discomfort, even if the intent wasn’t malicious.
Excluding or isolating someone: A group of students deliberately excluding someone from social activities or group work because of their perceived sexual orientation or religious beliefs, without overt threats or criminal behaviour.
Making assumptions based on prejudice: A student making negative assumptions about another student’s abilities or character based on their race or disability.
Minor acts of vandalism: Small acts of vandalism motivated by prejudice that don’t reach the level of a criminal damage offence but are still offensive and targeted (e.g., defacing a poster promoting diversity with a prejudiced symbol).
Support on Hate Incident
If you think you have experienced a hate incident you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk or Safeguarding at safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on hate incidents:
What is Hate Speech?
Hate speech is offensive discourse that threatens or insults a person or group based on their identity or characteristics. Hate speech will usually intend to vilify, humiliate or incite hatred against certain groups and identities. Incitement of hatred, where someone calls for harm of violence towards a specific group, is also a hate crime.
What can Hate Speech look like?
Hate Speech can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Directly inciting hatred: A student publicly calling for violence or discrimination against a specific religious group.
Making severely threatening statements: Posting online messages threatening harm to individuals based on their sexual orientation.
Using highly offensive and abusive language: Verbally attacking a student with a barrage of racial slurs intended to demean and humiliate them.
Displaying symbols of hate: Wearing or displaying clothing or symbols associated with hate groups or ideologies that promote discrimination and violence against protected groups.
Creating and distributing hateful content: Sharing or creating images, videos, or written material that promotes hatred or stereotypes protected groups in a severely negative way.
Targeted online harassment: Sending repeated and abusive messages to a transgender student specifically because of their gender identity, aiming to cause significant distress and hostility.
Publicly denying or trivializing hate crimes or genocide: Making statements that deny or downplay the significance of events like the Holocaust or other acts of genocide motivated by hatred against specific groups.
Support on Hate Speech
If you think you have experienced Hate speech you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk or Safeguarding at safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on hate speech:
What is Homophobia?
Homophobia is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards people whose sexual orientation is not straight.
Homophobia could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
What can Homophobia look like?
Homophobia can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Using derogatory terms and slurs: A student using offensive words or phrases to describe or refer to someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual
Making assumptions about someone’s identity or behaviour: Students assuming someone is gay based on stereotypes or making comments about how someone “acts gay.”
Telling homophobic jokes or making offensive “banter”: Sharing jokes or engaging in banter that relies on negative stereotypes about LGBTQ+ people.
Social exclusion or ostracism: Deliberately excluding someone from a group or social activity because they are known or perceived to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Spreading rumours or gossip: Students spreading false or negative rumours about someone’s sexual orientation.
Online harassment: Sending hateful or offensive messages, images, or videos targeting someone because of their sexual orientation.
Physical intimidation or threats: A student threatening or physically intimidating someone because they are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Microaggressions: Subtle but offensive comments that reflect underlying homophobic bias, such as expressing surprise when a gay person is good at a traditionally “masculine” activity or assuming all gay men are effeminate.
Questioning the validity of someone’s identity: Saying things like “It’s just a phase” or trying to invalidate someone’s sexual orientation.
Support on Homophobia
If you think you have experienced homophobia you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on homophobia:
What is Islamophobia?
Islamophobia is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards Muslim people. It is a form of faith based hate. Islamophobia could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
Islamophobia is linked to racism, and xenophobia. Muslim people experience some hate that is expressed towards immigration (even if they are British nationals).
What can Islamophobia look like?
Islamophobia can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Using derogatory terms and slurs: A student using offensive words or phrases to describe or refer to Muslim people (e.g., “terrorist,” “extremist,” “fundamentalist”) based on harmful stereotypes.
Writing and Drawing Offensive Symbols: Drawing symbols that are offensive or associated with hate groups
Making assumptions based on appearance or name: Students making negative assumptions about someone’s beliefs or intentions because they have a Muslim-sounding name or wear religious attire like a hijab.
Telling Islamophobic jokes or making offensive “banter”: Sharing jokes or engaging in banter that relies on negative stereotypes about Islam or Muslim people.
Social exclusion or ostracism: Deliberately excluding someone from a group or social activity because they are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim.
Spreading misinformation or conspiracy theories: Students sharing false or misleading information or conspiracy theories that demonise Islam or blame Muslims for global issues.
Online harassment: Sending hateful or offensive messages, images, or videos targeting someone because they are Muslim.
Physical intimidation or threats: A student threatening or physically intimidating someone because they are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim.
Microaggressions: Subtle but offensive comments that reflect underlying Islamophobic bias, such as asking a Muslim student if they support terrorism or expressing surprise that they are “moderate.”
Generalising the actions of extremists: Blaming all Muslims for the actions of a small minority of extremists.
Disrupting religious practices: Students intentionally disrupting or mocking the religious practices of Muslim students, such as during prayer.
Support on Islamophobia
If you think you have experienced islamophobia you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk or the college Chaplain by contacting chaplaincy@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on islamophobia:
What is Misogyny?
Misogyny is a dislike of, contempt for, or prejudice against women. Misogyny comes from the belief that men are superior to women. Misogyny is an inclusive term, and trans women can also experience misogyny.
Misogyny takes many forms, however misogyny is not protected under hate crimes or incidents.
What can Misogyny look like?
Misogyny can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Sexist remarks and jokes: Making demeaning jokes about women’s intelligence, abilities, or roles.
Objectification: Students making comments about a female student’s body in a sexualizing or objectifying way.
Undermining women’s contributions: Interrupting or dismissing female students during discussions or group work.
Slut-shaming: Criticizing or shaming a female for their sexual behaviour or choices.
Spreading malicious rumours: Spreading false or negative rumours about a female student’s character or sexual history.
Online harassment: Sending sexist or threatening messages or images to female students online.
Exclusion from opportunities: Female students being subtly discouraged from participating in certain activities or taking on leadership roles based on gender stereotypes.
Belittling traditionally “feminine” interests or traits: Mocking others who express interest in activities or exhibit traits considered feminine.
Unwanted sexual advances: Making persistent and unwelcome sexual comments, gestures, or physical contact.
Support on Misogyny
If you think you have experienced misogyny you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on misogyny:
What is Online Harassment?
Many forms of harassment can, and often do, happen online. These should be dealt with as seriously as it would be dealt with in person.
Please refer to other concerns to understand the content of the online abuse. For example, if a learner was receiving unsolicited nude images online, this would constitute sexual harassment.
What can Online Harassment look like?
Online Harassment can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Social Media Pile-Ons: A student posts a controversial opinion in a social media group. Other students then bombard them with abusive and insulting messages, sometimes escalating into threats or personal attacks.
Sharing Private Information Without Consent (“Doxing”): Sharing others private contact information (such as phone number or home address) on a public forum, potentially leading to unwanted contact or even offline harassment.
Manipulated Media (“Deepfakes” or Edited Images): Creating or sharing manipulated images or videos of others to ridicule or humiliate them online. This could involve altering their appearance or putting them in embarrassing simulated situations.
Persistent Unwanted Contact: Repeatedly sending unwanted messages or friend requests to another student who has made it clear they want no contact.
Harassment in Online Learning Environments: Disruptive behaviour in online classes, offensive comments in discussion forums, or the misuse of collaborative tools to target another student.
Gossip Pages: Creating specific social media pages to share ‘gossip’ which shares specific information about other learners, or certain groups of learners.
Creating Hate Groups or Pages: Creating online groups or social media pages dedicated to targeting and harassing an individual or a group based on a protected characteristic relevant to the college’s diverse student body (e.g., a page mocking LGBTQ+ students or international students).
Support on Online Harassment
If you think you have experienced online harassment you can get advice from Safeguarding by contacting safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
What is Racism?
Racism is a dislike towards, prejudice against, or a hate towards people from other races. This is built on the belief that some races are superior to others.
Racism is ingrained in society through historical events e.g. slavery, colonialism, holocausts. Racism sometimes works alongside faith-based hate and xenophobia.
Racism could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
What can Racism look like?
Racism can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Racial Slurs and Insults: A student using derogatory terms or racial slurs directly towards another student because of their race or ethnic origin. This could include historical slurs or more contemporary forms of racist language.
Racist Jokes and “Banter”: Students telling jokes or engaging in “banter” that relies on harmful racial stereotypes, even if they claim it’s just a joke.
Microaggressions: Subtle but offensive remarks or actions that communicate negative or hostile messages related to a person’s race. For example, asking someone where they are “really from” if they were born in the UK.
Exclusion and Segregation: Deliberately excluding someone from group activities or social events because of their race or encouraging others to do so.
Racial Profiling and Assumptions: Making assumptions about someone’s behaviour, intelligence, or background based on their race.
Online Racism: Posting racist comments, memes, or images in online college forums, social media groups, or private messages targeting individuals or racial groups.
Cultural Mockery: Students misrepresenting or mocking aspects of another culture (e.g., clothing, music, traditions) in a way that is disrespectful or trivialises its significance.
Support on Racism
If you think you have experienced racism you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on racism:
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is behaviour that is unwanted and sexualised. If the unwanted sexualised behaviour is forceful or violent, is is considered sexual violence.
Similarly to harassment, sexual harassment violates the person’s dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
What can Sexual Harassment look like?
Sexual Harassment can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Unwanted sexual comments or jokes: Telling sexual jokes, making sexual remarks about someone’s appearance, or using sexually suggestive language in a way that makes others uncomfortable. This can include online communication as well.
Sexual advances: Asking someone for dates repeatedly after they’ve said no, or making unwanted physical advances like touching, hugging, or kissing.
Displaying offensive sexual material: Showing or sharing sexually explicit images, videos, or other materials without consent, or in a way that creates a hostile environment. This could include sharing such material online.
Making promises or threats related to sexual favours: Suggesting that a student might receive better grades or opportunities if they engage in sexual activity, or threatening negative consequences if they refuse. (While this could involve staff, it could also occur in peer dynamics with a power imbalance).
Spreading sexual rumours or gossip: Sharing false or private information about someone’s sexual life or experiences with the intention of harming their reputation or causing distress. This often happens online.
Sexual assault: Any non-consensual sexual act
Rape: Unwanted penetration of penis into vagina, anus or mouth.
Creating a sexually hostile environment: Engaging in a pattern of behaviour that is sexual in nature and creates an environment where others feel uncomfortable, degraded, or unable to learn or socialise effectively. This could involve repeated unwanted attention, sexual comments, or the display of offensive materials.
Online sexual harassment: Sending unwanted sexually suggestive messages, images, or videos; cyberstalking with sexual undertones; or making sexual comments on someone’s social media.
Revenge porn: Sharing nude or intimate images of another person without their consent.
Support on Sexual Harassment
If you think you have experienced sexual harassment you can get advice from Safeguarding by contacting safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on sexual harassment:
What is Stalking?
Stalking is any form of repeated behaviour that makes a person feel scared, distressed or threatened. It differs from harassment as it is more fixated and obsessive.
Stalking often is linked to unhealthy relationships, and a lack of boundaries in these.
What can Stalking look like?
Stalking can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Repeated unwanted contact: Constantly calling, texting, emailing, or messaging someone on social media despite them making it clear they want no contact. This can escalate to feeling invasive and frightening.
Monitoring and surveillance: Secretly watching someone, following them around campus or to their home, or tracking their online activity without their knowledge or consent. This can create a sense of being constantly watched and unsafe.
Unwanted gifts or gestures: Leaving unwanted gifts, letters, or other items for someone, even after being asked to stop. This can feel intrusive and like a violation of personal space.
Showing up uninvited: Turning up at places where the person is known to be, such as their classes, social events, or job, without being invited and despite being asked not to.
Spreading rumours or false information: Spreading malicious rumours or lies about someone to isolate them from their friends or damage their reputation. This can be particularly harmful online.
Threats or intimidation: Making direct or indirect threats of harm to the person, their family, or their friends. This can create significant fear for their safety.
Damaging property: Vandalising the person’s belongings, such as their car, locker, or accommodation. This can feel like a violation and an escalation of behaviour.
Using third parties: Contacting the person’s friends, family, or colleagues to try to get information about them or to harass them indirectly.
Online stalking (Cyberstalking): This can include monitoring their social media activity, hacking into their accounts, spreading personal information online (“doxing”), or using GPS tracking without their consent.
Support on Stalking
If you think you have experienced stalking you can get advice from Safeguarding by contacting safeguarding@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on stalking:
What is Transphobia?
Transphobia is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards trans or non-binary people.Remember non-binary people can be victims of transphobia, and are protected under the Equality Act.
Transphobia could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
What can Transphobia look like?
Transphobia can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Using incorrect pronouns or names: Intentionally referring to a transgender person using pronouns or their birth name (deadnaming) after they have stated their correct pronouns and name.
Making derogatory jokes or comments: Telling jokes or making offensive remarks about transgender people, their identities, or their bodies.
Questioning someone’s gender identity: Asking intrusive or unnecessary questions about a transgender person’s body, medical history, or transition.
Social exclusion or misgendering in social situations: Deliberately excluding a transgender person from social activities or consistently misgendering them within a group.
Spreading misinformation or stereotypes: Sharing false or harmful information about transgender people or perpetuating negative stereotypes.
Online harassment: Sending hateful or offensive messages, images, or videos targeting someone because they are transgender. This can include misgendering them online or making transphobic comments on their posts.
Physical intimidation or threats: A student threatening or physically intimidating someone because they are transgender or perceived to be transgender.
Microaggressions: Subtle but offensive comments that reflect underlying transphobic bias, such as expressing surprise that a transgender person has certain interests or skills, or making assumptions about their personality based on stereotypes.
Invalidating someone’s identity: Saying things like “You’ll never really be a [gender]” or trying to deny their lived experience.
Support on Transphobia
If you think you have experienced transphobia you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on transphobia:
What is Victimisation?
Victimisation is where a person is treated unfairly because they have reported, or supported a reporting harassment, discrimination or bullying. If a learner reports another incident, they may then be victimised because of this.
Victimisation will take place as an extension of another form of harassment, discrimination or bullying.
What can Victimisation look like?
Victimisation can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Negative changes to a student’s experience: After a student reports another student, they might suddenly find themselves excluded from group projects they were previously part of, or facing unfounded accusations from the accused student’s friends.
Unfair treatment in assessments: A student who witnessed and gave evidence in a complaint might find their coursework being marked unfairly harshly by a tutor who is friends with the alleged perpetrator.
Exclusion from opportunities: A student who supported a classmate in making a complaint might be overlooked for a college enrichment activity they were previously considered for.
Spreading rumours or gossip: After a student alleges bullying by a group, those students might start spreading false and damaging rumours about the student who made the allegation.
Intimidation or threats: A student who reports something might receive intimidating messages or even threats from the person they reported or their associates, aimed at discouraging them or others from speaking out in the future.
Unjustified disciplinary action: A student who complained about behaviour might suddenly face disciplinary action for minor or unrelated issues that were previously overlooked.
Being ignored or ostracised: After reporting harassment, a student might find themselves being deliberately ignored or excluded by peers or even, in some inappropriate situations, by staff who are aligned with the alleged perpetrator.
Support on Victimisation
If you think you have experienced victimisation you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on victimisation:
What is Xenophobia?
Xenophobia is a dislike for, prejudice against, or hate towards people from other countries or cultures. This often manifests as hostility towards immigrants.
Xenophobia often coexists with racism, and xenophobia could also be considered a hate incident or a hate crime.
What can Xenophobia look like?
Xenophobia can take many forms. This includes, but is not limited to:
Mocking socioeconomic background: A student making fun of another student for not having the latest expensive gadgets or designer clothes.
Assumptions about experiences: Students assuming a student from a less affluent background hasn’t travelled or experienced certain cultural activities.
Exclusion based on perceived wealth: A group of students with more financial resources planning social activities that are unaffordable for others and not considering alternatives.
Condescending attitudes: A student from a more privileged background making condescending remarks about the part of town another student lives in or the school they previously attended.
Belittling career aspirations: Students from more affluent backgrounds dismissing the career ambitions of those aiming for vocational or “working-class” jobs.
Jokes about financial struggles: Students making light of another student’s need to work part-time or their concerns about money.
Assumptions about intelligence or ability: Students from more privileged backgrounds wrongly assuming they are more intelligent or capable than students from less affluent backgrounds.
Microaggressions related to resources: Subtle remarks that highlight class differences, such as expressing surprise that someone doesn’t have a car or relies on public transport.
Support on Xenophobia
If you think you have experienced xenophobia you can get advice from the Equality & Diversity Specialist by contacting equalityanddiversity@cambria.ac.uk
There are organisations and groups that can offer support on xenophobia: