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The University is closed from 4pm on Wednesday 27 March until Wednesday 3 April. I will be unavailable during this time. Where appropriate emails will be responded to upon my return.

If you are a student or PGR, you can still send the Harassment and Misconduct team information via email at reportandsupport@leeds.ac.uk or submit a disclosure online.

Your disclosures and queries will be picked up when University re-opens. While we are closed, you can explore external organisations to access support within Leeds and nationally.

It is important to remember that it is not your fault. There is support for you and you don't have to report the incident to the police in order to access this support. 

Recent Experiences

If you have been spiked within the past few hours, stay with a friend that you trust and ask them to help you get medical attention. If you are in a bar or nightclub, speak to the security or bar staff. If you are concerned that the person who spiked you is in your group or nearby - when you talk to the staff 'Ask For Angela'. This is a code that means the staff will know that you need some discreet support and to get you away from your current environment. 

If you have already left the venue or a persons house, you can go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department and tell them you believe you have been spiked. They can take blood tests and also monitor your physical wellbeing. Or if you don't want to contact anyone, get a taxi home, let someone know you don't feel well and get some rest. You can contact your GP if you have ongoing symptoms.

What do you want to happen next?

It is important to remember that it is not your fault.  You may feel responsible, guilt, and/or shame. All of these are normal feelings and is usually how the person wants or expects you to feel. 

If you're still at risk:

If there is an immediate danger call the police on 999, or if you're on campus call security on 0113 343 2222. If you are unable to talk, and are calling from a mobile phone, you should remain silent. There will be a recorded message and you must press 55 to confirm you need help from the police. If the incident has just happened, find a safe space. This might be your home, a friend's home or somewhere visible and public. If you are not able to get somewhere you feel safe, all the police on 999, or if you're on campus call security on 0113 343 2222.  If you are worried about how to get to somewhere safe, you could use the Student Safe Taxi Scheme.

What would you like to happen?

You may know what you want to happen now, or you may feel uncertain. We have listed a few options below, these services have staff who will understand the worries and challenges. Support is here whatever decision you make. 

Talking Through Your Options  

The Harassment and Misconduct team are the recommended first point of contact for any student who has been impacted by violence, abuse, bullying, harassment or discrimination. You don’t have to make a report to access their services. With your consent the team of specialist advisors can help you with:   
  • Offering confidential advice and info to help you decide what’s right for you 
  • Navigating academic accommodations or living concerns 
  • Being referred to counselling, medical and legal services 
  • Accessing self-care support 
  • Providing info and educational information 
  • Being there to listen
  • Making a formal complaint or report, on-campus or off
 The best way to get in touch with the Harassment and Misconduct team is to complete the disclosure form. A specialist advisor will contact you within one working day to arrange a confidential appointment. Alternatively, you can email us at reportandsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

Want to know more about the team? Meet our specialist advisors in the Harassment and Misconduct team.

Leeds University Union (LUU) Advice team: Independent of the university, an advisor can talk through your options and support you through whatever decision you make. They can help with practical issues such as any impact on your studies, accommodation or finances.

University’s Police Higher Education Liaison Officer: Based on campus, they are here to listen to you and explain what may happen if you decided to make a formal report to the Police. Talking to them does not commit you to taking any further action. You can arrange to speak to them anonymously, either through the Harassment and Misconduct Team.

External organisations or charities: there are many organisations that can help with support and guidance. Explore the options of support outside of the university.

Further Support at the University: Students

The Student Counselling and Wellbeing service is a multi-professional team of Counsellors, Wellbeing Practitioners and Mental Health Advisors. They offer free and confidential support to students during their time at the University of Leeds. Find out more about the support available to you.

Support in your School: you may feel comfortable to talk to your Academic Personal Tutor or Student Support Officer. You can talk through your options if your studies have been impacted. You may be able to ask for mitigating circumstances for upcoming deadlines. It is really important you speak to someone before you sit any exams or submit work. Any of the support services listed on this page can help you with this.
 
Placements, Study Abroad or Apprenticeships: as a Leeds Student you can access the free, independent and confidential help from professional advisors throughout your time at the university - even when you on not on campus e.g. with an employer, abroad or on a placement.  You can contact your named co-ordinator or tutor or get in touch with the Global Opportunities team.

If you are a postgraduate research student, you may want to talk to your Supervisor about what has happened as they play a crucial role in supporting you with both the academic and pastoral elements of your studies, your Graduate School can also help.  They can help advise you on your options for taking some time away from your studies, can explain how to ask for additional time to complete work and can also organise, or suggest, emotional and wellbeing support.

Support in Residences: if you live in a university halls of residence, you can contact your Residence Life Wardens who can offer support and signposting guidance. They hold advisory sessions and normally you don’t require an appointment to attend. To find out which Residence Life Warden(s) look after your residence and when they are available, visit contacts page and select your residence from the drop down menu. If for any reason you are unable to reach a Warden, you can email Residence Life via ResidenceLife@leeds.ac.uk or out of hours, call security via 0113 343 2222.

Universities Chaplaincy team: they offer a confidential, pastoral care and spiritual support to students of all faiths and to those who have no religious beliefs. You can get in touch by email: Chaplaincy@leeds.ac.uk or visit their website.

Muslim Student Adviser: Fahat Yaqoob offers pastoral and spiritual support and connects people from all backgrounds through Unity communications and activities.  You can get in touch with Farhat by emailing F.Yaqoob@leeds.ac.uk.

Jewish Chaplaincy: chaplains and chaplaincy couples offer support to Jewish students of all backgrounds and affiliations.  For further information please visit the national University Jewish Chaplaincy website and/or the Jewish chaplaincy in the Leeds and Yorkshire areas.

Further Support at the University: Staff


Staff Counselling and Psychological Support: the team provides confidential professional support for all University staff for personal or work-related problems and challenges.   They operate a hybrid model of working.  Most Staff Counsellors work partly from home and partly on campus whilst some work wholly from home.  They recognise that colleagues too may be working from home, on campus or a mixture of the two.  The service can provide counselling and role-based support in person on campus, online or by phone.
 
They also have a range of wellbeing resources. You can get in touch via email at staffcounselling@leeds.ac.uk or phone 0113 3433694.  You can also visit their website for more information.

Your Line Manager or HR:  It may help to talk to your line manager if you are finding what has happening or still is ongoing, is having an impact on your work and/or emotional wellbeing.   If you are not comfortable doing this you can speak to your HR Officer who can talk through what support is available. HR will be able to discuss these issues with you sensitively and without involving your manager initially. In many cases, however, your manager may need to become involved at a later stage , as this is often necessary to investigate or address issues that are raised. You can find out the details of your local HR Officer on the HR website.

Trade Union Representation:  if you are a member of a Trade Union, you may wish to approach them for support and advice.
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