Report and support - tackling unacceptable behaviour

We believe that all followers of Jesus are united by Jesus, regardless of background, leadership style or theological views, and our task is to love one another as we stay focused on the mission given to us.

We also believe that discriminatory behaviour, harassment, bullying, sexual harassment, assault and violence are not acceptable parts of the culture we seek to build at Trinity College. We seek to create a safe and thriving environment for all

Bullying and harassment

All staff and students have the right to work and study in an environment which is free from harassment and bullying. This policy has been written to support the development of a working and learning environment in which harassment and bullying are known to be unacceptable and
where individual staff members and students have the confidence to complain, without fear of reprisal or recrimination, in the knowledge that their concerns will be dealt with seriously, appropriately and fairly.

We cannot accept any form of harassment and seek to ensure that the college’s working and study environment is sympathetic to all our staff and students. In our working and study relationships we aspire to the highest standards of respect, courtesy and professionalism.

You can find a copy of our Bullying and Harassment policy here. There is more information about our safeguarding policies and procedures on our safeguarding page, here.

Sexual misconduct

In the interests of protecting our students from potential conflicts of interest and abuses of power*, and in line with our Code of Conduct, intimate personal relationships** are not permitted between students and members of staff who have direct academic or other direct professional responsibilities towards students, with the exception of within existing partnerships already known to the community (for example where the spouse of a student is appointed to the staff or a spouse of a staff member becomes a student). Any breach by a staff member would result in our taking steps under our disciplinary process, including the possibility of the breach resulting in dismissal.

Sexual harassment of any kind towards any member of our community is not tolerated.  You can find a copy of our Bullying and Harassment policy here. You can find information about pastoral care and support below.

*‘Abuse of power’ means a situation where a relevant staff member exploits a position of power in relation to a student so as to apply pressure in a way which:

• may result in the student doing something, or refraining from doing something, that they may not have otherwise done; and
• that action or inaction could reasonably result in something that falls within the scope of an intimate personal relationship.

** An ‘intimate personal relationship’ is defined as a relationship that involves one or more of the following elements:

• physical intimacy including isolated or repeated sexual activity; and
• romantic or emotional intimacy.

Reporting discrimination  

 Our goal is to support you as an individual and signpost you to ‘Report and Support’ options and other support. Where applicable or necessary, this might include external support services such as counselling, the Police or Bristol Diocese.

Sharing information allows us better to protect individuals and victims, and to further the understanding of what is happening within our community. The information you share enables us to tackle specific issues, informs vital preventative work and helps us to improve our community and practical resources.

If you are in immediate danger or have any injuries that require urgent attention, please call the emergency services on 999 at once.

Reporting anonymously / reporting with details

To help you report different kinds of potential discrimination, there are three levels that you can report at (see Report and Support guidance notes for more). You can:

1. Raise a concern (you’d like to discuss something you’ve experienced or observed).

2. Make a complaint (you wish to make a formal complaint to Trinity College).

3. File a report (you’d like to file a report that may be used with external third parties).

You can choose to report behaviour anonymously without supplying your details. There are many reasons why you might wish to do so (for example, fear of impact or of being treated differently, or wanting to take time to consider your options). Anonymous reporting will be taken seriously.

Please note that anonymous reporting can limit how we might be able to reply to you or support you personally.

Special circumstances

You can report any issue via the Triage Team email (diversity@trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk). In any situation where there is a conflict of interest, you can contact one of the Triage Team members directly (the VP for Formation and the Director of Finance and Operations).

Accessibility

Should you require any adjustments to any of the ‘Report and Support’ procedures, please contact us as soon as possible.

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