University of Kent

The Harassment Network comprises of individual members of staff who have volunteered to take on the role of the Harassment Contact.

Harassment Contacts act outside of official reporting lines and will treat all cases with confidentiality (unless the safety of staff or students is at risk). A conversation with a Harassment Contact need lead to no further action, but it is recommended that staff/students seek their advice sooner rather than later, if they suspect they are being subjected to bullying or harassment. Staff/students can choose to contact any of the Harassment Contacts and may prefer to speak to someone from a different department or section.

The individual contacts and the network will operate in line with the following principles:

• Confidentiality will be respected wherever possible.
• Contacts will be mutually supportive, in recognition of the fact that it may be necessary to pass on requests for advice to others in the group.
• Contacts will be well informed on harassment issues, and will individually respond to the need to update skills.
• The names of the contacts will be publicised as widely as possible.The network will work towards a situation in which the contact group is representative of the University Staff community.
• Contacts offer independent advice in line with the University of Kent Equality and Diversity Policy and are supported in this role by the University.
• Individual contacts recognise personal limitations in offering specialist advice and will redirect or refer individuals to other appropriate agencies.
• Advice will be offered in a non-judgemental way, with respect for individual boundaries.