Anti-Harassment and Bullying Team

Working to create a safe community for everyone on campus

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The Anti-harassment and Bullying team is an informal source of support for staff and students who want to talk to someone in a safe space.

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About us

We all deserve to feel safe and respected in our workplace or academic environment, which is why the Anti-Harassment and Bullying Team is here to support and guide anyone who may be experiencing harassment or bullying. As an independent, trained group that operates outside of the University's formal processes, we provide confidential and compassionate support to both staff and students. We believe that prevention and early cessation are key to creating a positive environment and stopping these behaviours from escalating.

Aims and Purpose

The aims of the Anti-Harassment and Bullying Team (AHBT) are prevention or early cessation of harassment and bullying. Trained team members will offer confidential and independent support and guidance to staff and students who are concerned about incidents of harassment or bullying. We will provide a safe and informal space for staff and students to discuss issues, explore the options available, and provide support to resolve matters. The Team’s approach is caller-centred and caller-led.

Prevention/early cessation of harassment and bullying

We operate informally and are independent of the University’s formal staff and student processes (e.g., staff grievance and student complaint processes).

Confidential and independent support

Our team members offer confidential and independent support and guidance to staff and students who are concerned about incidents of possible harassment and bullying affecting their work or study.

Providing safe spaces

Crucially, we provide a safe space in which to discuss issues, signpost to and help explore the options available. Advisors may provide support to resolve matters informally.

Data collection

Data is collected on the number and types of cases and outcomes. The data will be reported annually in Lancaster University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion report and inform Lancaster University’s policies.

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Confidentiality

We recognise confidentiality is important to you and the AHBT. Our rules governing confidentiality will be explained when one of the team meets you, if you have questions then please ask.

In brief:

  • Only in very exceptional circumstances will we need to take action without your consent. For example, where there is a threat to the life or physical safety of someone, or there is a legal requirement.
  • We will normally not share identifiable details of a case outside the AHBT without your permission.
  • If a student discloses behaviour which is concerning to any University staff member, the law considers that a disclosure has been made to the University. Therefore, any member of the University has a responsibility to disclose that information so it can be acted upon.

Safeguarding

We are committed to making sure that anyone interacting with AHBT are free from any sort of abuse. Our approach to safeguarding aligns with the university Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy and all our members have received Safeguarding training.

Privacy Notice

AHBT members will use, keep, store and dispose of all data and records of their AHBT work so as to ensure security and privacy. The AHBT will comply with the student privacy notice covering current undergraduate and postgraduate students and the staff privacy notice.

Anti-harassment and Bullying Team Poster, Handprint on Blue background
Anti-harassment and Bullying Team Poster

Who we are

Meet our Team

The Team is made up of staff members who have received considerable training and are committed to working to create a staff and student experience which is free of bullying and harassment.

Sources of Support, Information and Guidance

Tab Content: For staff and students

Tab Content: For students

Tab Content: For staff

  • ACAS - free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.
  • Employee Assistance Programme - Lancaster University with links to emergency support, immediate emotional support and wellbeing counselling, and stress management and some support for family members.
  • Wellbeing Portal (use ‘luwell’ to login) for tips for dealing with bullying and harassment; stress management; anxiety and more.
  • Able Futures – Access to Work Mental Health Support Service for people working and living with mental health difficulties.
  • Specialist Support Our Wellbeing Work Group links up with organisations to highlight additional support, local and national organisations that people can access covering bereavement, mental health.
  • Lancaster University Mental Health Awareness training - on Moodle for LU Staff
  • Lancaster University EDI e-learning – 10 optional training for LU staff including one on allyship, bullying and harassment, sexual harassment and unconscious bias.

Tab Content: Trade Unions

  • UCU - Lancaster University & College Union website including free membership for PhD students who teach.
  • Unison – national website and source of support.
  • Unite – national website and source of support.

Contact AHBT

To contact the AHBT, please email ahbt@lancaster.ac.uk. Your email will be received and responded to by the coordinator of the team, Colette Webb. When the coordinator is absent, one of two other members of the team who have access to emails will respond, either Dr Ann-Marie Houghton or Professor Carolyn Jackson.

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