Barnsley College is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful community where everyone can thrive without fear of harassment, sexual misconduct, abuse, or coercive behaviour. Any form of harassment or sexual misconduct is unacceptable, and we work proactively to prevent and respond to incidents.

Please be aware that as a student you have both rights and obligations in respect of your fellow students, members of staff and others with at the College. 

This page brings together clear information about our approach, policies, procedures, and support services related to harassment and sexual misconduct.

The College recommends contacting our Safeguarding Team as the initial point of contact. It provides clear reporting options and access to trained advisors.

Understanding harassment and sexual misconduct

Harassment is when someone (deliberately or not) behaves in a way which upsets, intimidates or humiliates someone else.

Harassment is often characterised by repeated examples of unwanted behaviour or doing things which create an uncomfortable atmosphere for someone or has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. This can take many forms, including verbal abuse, comments, gestures, or exclusion.

Some types of harmful behaviour which could constitute harassment include:

• Unkind, disrespectful, critical remarks.
• Shouting at, being sarcastic, ridiculing or demeaning others
• Constantly picking at, criticising or reviewing behaviour or work.
• Excluding someone from group activities or communications.
• Unwanted touching, even ‘minor’ contact.
• Making someone the target of jokes or pranks.
• Discriminatory or derogatory remarks about any protected characteristic someone has or has a relationship to.
• Threatening physical behaviour, violence or sexual assault.

Sexual Misconduct refers to a broad range of unwelcome behaviours of a sexual nature. This can include:

• Sexual harassment, such as unwelcome sexual advances, comments, jokes or gestures.
• Non-consensual touching or sexual activity.
• Coercion or manipulation in sexual contexts.
• Sharing sexual images or messages without consent.
• Stalking or persistent unwanted attention.

Reporting incidents of Harassment or Sexual Misconduct

All students and staff can use the College’s Safeguarding Reporting System to report harassment or sexual misconduct. Contact the Safeguarding Team by calling 01226 216 142, emailing safeguarding@barnsley.ac.uk or in person by visiting the Safeguarding office at our Old Mill Lane campus. Incidents can also be raised anonymously by completing either the Safe to Say: Anonymous Student Concern Reporting Form  or the Safe to Say: Anonymous Staff Concern Reporting Form.

The Safe to Say: Anonymous Student Concern Reporting form can also be found at the bottom of this page.

Investigations, if required, will be carried out under the Student Disciplinary or Staff Disciplinary policies.

Making a complaint

If you think the College has failed to take your report seriously, treat you fairly, or provide the support you are entitled to, you can raise a complaint.

Protecting our students

Key steps we take to protect students from harassment and sexual misconduct include:

• Clear definitions and awareness - We clearly define harassment and sexual misconduct, recognising their serious impact on individuals and community wellbeing. We promote mutual respect, clear consent, and open communication to foster a safe, inclusive environment. These expectations and definitions are communicated to all students early and often, including through welcome communications and induction sessions, ensuring awareness from the outset of their time at the College.
• Fair, timely and trauma-informed investigations - All reports are investigated promptly and fairly by trained staff with sensitivity to reduce further harm.
• Sensitive handling of information - Information from reports is shared strictly on a need-to-know basis, respecting privacy and data protection laws.
• Keeping individuals informed – The College provides updates on investigation outcomes to involved parties as far as legally possible, ensuring transparency while respecting confidentiality.
• Comprehensive support services - Confidential support is offered to anyone affected, whether they experienced, witnessed or were accused of harassment or sexual misconduct.  
• Mandatory training for students - All students are required to complete our Harassment and Sexual Misconduct training during induction.  
• Mandatory training for staff – All staff are trained on appropriate professional conduct, definitions of harassment and sexual misconduct and dealing appropriately with disclosures of harassment and sexual misconduct as part of their induction training.
• Policies governing personal relationships – Our Code of Conduct does not permit any personal relationships with individual learners.

Sources of Support

Our Safeguarding Team will be the main source of support for students who are affected by harassment and misconduct and will sign post to other sources of support. 

Members of staff will be supported by Human Resources.