Are you in immediate danger?
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you are on campus, call the campus wardens on 0985 from your hall phone, 01522 304600 (option 6) or 07795013593 (mobile) as they will ensure that the emergency services can access your location. You can also call the Lincolnshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Spring Lodge), who will provide practical and emotional support. They can be contacted on 01522 524 402 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday) and 0303 1234 000 (night and 24 hours). You can access this service regardless of whether you wish to report to the police or not.
Rape Crisis has two clear definitions for sexual harassment and sexual assault, both of which are forms of sexual violence.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel upset, scared, offended, or humiliated, or is meant to make them feel that way.
Sexual assault
Sexual assault happens when someone touches another person in a sexual manner without their consent. Or when someone makes another person take part in a sexual activity with them without that person's consent. It includes unwanted kissing and sexual touching
Consent – What is it?
- Sexual consent means that a person willingly agrees to have sex or engage in sexual activity.
- Sexual activity without consent is sexual assault or rape.
- Forcing someone to do something against their will is not consent, this includes physically forcing someone or using words to threaten, manipulate or persuade them.
- To give consent, a person must be able to make their own decisions.
- If a person is asleep, they cannot give consent.
- If a person is incapacitated through alcohol or drugs, they cannot give consent.
- Agreeing to a form of sexual activity one time does not imply consent for future activities.
- Consent can be withdrawn at any time. People can and do change their mind.
Support
If you have been sexually assaulted, harassed, or are supporting someone who has been, it can be difficult to know where to turn to for support. No matter what has happened, it is not your fault and what you do next is your choice. At Riseholme College, we are committed to ensuring that our students receive appropriate support and guidance following any incident or sexual violence, assault or harassment.
Our Health and Wellbeing team specialise in supporting and preventing sexual misconduct and harassment. Their role is to support students by providing; emotional support; advice and guidance about internal and external reporting options; supporting with managing the impact on studies and other aspects of life; help to access other services within Riseholme College and in the wider community; adjustments to teaching and learning and advice and help with accommodation and finances.
You can access our team regardless of whether the experience has happened whilst at Riseholme College or before joining us. The Health and Wellbeing team do not provide therapy or counselling but will help you to access this internally, or from local services if needed.
Get in touch with our Health and Wellbeing team.
Email: needtotalk@riseholme.ac.uk
Telephone: 01522 304603
Webpage: https://www.riseholme.ac.uk/degree-level/information/student-support/health-and-wellbeing
Supporting a survivor of sexual misconduct
What to do if someone discloses sexual assault or sexual misconduct to you.
- Remain calm, try not to panic. Try not to look upset or shocked and keep an open mind to what you are about to hear.
- Listen to the person and acknowledge that they are being brave by sharing what has happened to them.
- Do not probe for excessive details, it is up to the survivor if they want to share this with you.
- Do not be judgmental or cast doubt on the survivor, the proportion of false allegations is less than 3%. A sexual assault is never the fault of the person who is abused.
- Refer the survivor to the right place. There are a range of suggestions on this page.
- Offer practical support such as going to appointments with them.
- Do not force the person to report if they do not want to, Respect their decision.
- Do not try to control the situation, it is important for the survivor to be in control over what happens next.
- If you are a member of staff, keep a record of what was disclosed. Make a note of the facts, you do not need to include your opinion or other subjective statements. Also, make a note of the guidance that you have given.
- Keep notes in a secure and confidential space because you may need to find them or share them in the future, if for example, the survivor decides to make a formal report.
- Please be aware that notes could be used if the case goes to court. You could be called as a witness and your notes could be classed as evidence. Make sure your notes are clear and accurate.
'I'm worried about a student'
Whether you're a parent, friend, or member of our local community, if you are concerned that one of our students needs help and support, please let us know by emailing needtotalk@riseholme.ac.uk.
Reporting Options
There are several ways you can report sexual violence, assault or harassment. Whether you report and who you report to is completely your choice, we will support you whatever you decide.
If you are not in immediate danger, you can call the police on 101 to make a report and a Police Officer will arrange to meet with you to take a statement. If you are in immediate danger, you can call 999 for assistance.
Our team will take you through all report options including what options are available to you if the perpetrator is also a student. If you decide you want to report the incident, our Health and Wellbeing team and the Safeguarding team will support you through the process including helping you to understand the potential outcomes.
Training and Policies
Local Support Services
Lincolnshire Police
Telephone: 999 (emergency)
Telephone: 101 (non-emergency)
Website: https://www.lincs.police.uk/
CrimeStoppers
An independent charity where you can pass on information about a crime or criminal anonymously. You won’t be asked your name and your call won’t be recorded. You can also fill in the online form on the CrimeStoppers website.
Telephone: 0800 555 111
Website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Stop Hate UK
Provide hate crime reporting services, and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
Telephone: 0800 138 1625
Website: https://www.stophateuk.org/
Victim Lincs
Free and independent support and information if you are the victim of a crime and whether you have reported it or not.
Telephone: 01522 212333 (Monday-Friday, 8am to 4pm)
Out of hours support line: 08 08 16 89 111
Email and Live chat support also available
Website: https://www.victimsupport.org....
Lincolnshire Rape Crisis
Service is run by women. Offers support to victims of sexual violence of all ages and genders. Offers support and information via a helpline, email, one to one support sessions, group sessions and counselling. Offers separate spaces for females and males.
Telephone: 0800 33 4 55 00
Website: https://www.lincolnshirerapecr...
Spring Lodge
Sexual assault referral centre offering practical and emotional support to anyone who as been sexually assaulted or raped.
Telephone: 01522 524402
Website: https://www.lpft.nhs.uk/spring-lodge/home
National Support Services
Breathing Space
An online resource library detailing information and support organisations for a variety of issues that people who have been victims/survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence may experience, including; legal support, financial support, housing, and crisis relief, to name a few. The website also includes self-care information and survivor stories.
Website: https://www.breathingspace-ava.org.uk
Domestic Violence 24-hour National Helpline
Open to people of all genders affected by domestic and sexual violence.
Freephone: 0808 2000 247
Text support: 07797805839
Website: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Galop
Support all LGBT+ people who have experience hate crime, domestic abuse, or sexual violence.
Hate Crime helpline: 020 7704 2040 (Monday- Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Domestic Abuse helpline: 0800 999 5428 (Monday- Friday, 10am to 5pm)
Website: https://www.galop.org.uk
Survivors UK
Specialist support for male survivors of sexual violence or abuse including online support options.
Telephone: 020 3598 3898
Email: help@survivorsuk.org
Website: https://www.survivorsuk.org
Victim Support
Victim Support help anyone affected by crime, not only those who experience it directly, but also their friends, family and any other people involved. You can access this support regardless of whether you have reported to the police or not.
Telephone: 0300 303 1976 (Monday- Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm)
Email: humbersouthyorks.vs@victimsupport.org.uk
Website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/humberside-and-south-yorkshire/
Forward UK
Campaign and support organisations with focus on female genital mutilation (FGM).
Telephone: 020 8960 4000 (Monday-Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Email: support@forwarduk.org.uk
Website: https://www.forwarduk.org.uk
Revenge Porn Helpline
Support adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse via a helpline and can offer practical assistance in reporting and removing content online. It is an offence to share intimate images or videos of someone, on or offline, without their consent and with the intention of causing distress.
Helpline: 0345 600 0459 (Monday-Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Website: https://www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Rights For Women
Operate a helpline for women in England and Wales to receive advice on Criminal Law, including sexual offences, domestic violence (including harassment and stalking), reporting offences to the police and criminal injuries compensation.
Telephone: 020 7251 887
Bright Sky
A free app and website to support those affected by domestic abuse, their friends and family, as well as practitioners and employers. It has a UK-wide directory of specialist domestic abuse services and questionnaires to assess the safety of a relationship, alongside resources and information on topics around domestic abuse.
Website: https://www.bright-sky.org.uk
