Student Safety

Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

The College has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. We uphold the right of every individual to learn, teach, and work free from inappropriate, unwanted, or abusive sexual behaviour. 

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any form of harassment, hate crime, bullying, discrimination, fraud/scams, domestic abuse, or assault you can report anonymously or talk to an advisor.

 

Share a Concern

Where to Seek Support:

Click here to view our Student Guide

Click here to view our E6 Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy 

Off-Campus Support

In addition to our on-campus support, there are many external services you can access for  help. Below is a summary of key organisations. If you need further guidance, please speak to the Student Welfare Team.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): Confidential support for anyone affected by sexual violence. 24-hour Helpline: 0870 2700 123

Domestic Abuse Support: Swindon Women’s Aid – 24/7 Support Service.

Support for Male Survivors: Survivors UK – For adult men affected by sexual abuse or assault.

Rape Crisis England & Wales: Helpline: 0808 802 9999 

Forced Marriage Support: Forced Marriage Unit (FMU)
Confidential advice for anyone experiencing or at risk of forced marriage.

 

Click here to view our Guide

Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts is not responsible for the quality, accuracy or effectiveness of external organisations or the services they provide.

Unacceptable Behaviours

We recognise that sexual misconduct and violence, covers a broad range of inappropriate, unwanted, behaviours. It includes but not limited to, sexual assualt, stalking, sexual harrassment, unwanted touching, and have a common thread of disregard of informed consent.

Sexual misconduct and violence is any kind of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, which is intended to or has the effect of:

  • violating your dignity
  • making you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated
  • creating a hostile or offensive environment.

 

 It can be any kind of unwanted sexual activity, which does not always include physical contact. For example:

  • revenge porn
  • sending emails with a sexual content
  • making unwanted sexual comments or jokes
  • physical behaviour including unwanted sexual advances or touching
  • sexual abuse
  • rape

 

You don’t have to have previously objected to someone’s behaviour for it to be considered unwanted.

As part of our responsibilities under the Office for Students’ Condition E6, we are required to ensure that everyone is appropriately informed to understand:

  • What constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct
  • How to access support and reporting services
    The standards of behaviour we expect in our university community

 

Student Training
To meet this requirement all students will be asked to complete a short module that explains the University’s policy framework, including how to find help and report concerns. This module contains no personal case studies and is designed to provide everyone with a shared foundation of knowledge, which we believe is essential for maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. If you are a student, you will be automatically enrolled on the module and can access through Blackboard. We understand individuals may engage with these topics in different ways. For some, engaging with certain content may be emotionally challenging. We have built in the ability for students to step back from these modules if needed. We encourage students to take the steps they feel are right for them and we are committed to supporting your wellbeing throughout. You can access support or speak to someone confidentially at any point.


Staff Training
A Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Mandatory Training course is currently under development, details of which will be circulated to staff in due course. Enhanced training will also be delivered to staff members identified as key in relation to the investigation of disclosures relating to sexual harassment and misconduct.

For more information, please visit our Policies page where you’ll find all current policies, procedures, and information sheets.