Gender-based violence prevention and support

Our approach

We want all staff and students to flourish in a safe, supportive, inclusive learning environment. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence.

The College is firmly committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and equity for all staff and students. We will not tolerate any form of racism, harassment, or discrimination. We aim to promote an environment where equality and diversity is celebrated within the College.

Our gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and support strategy and policy outline our approach.

Gender-based Violence Prevention Strategy

Gender-Based Violence Prevention Support Policy

The College is fully supportive of the Equally Safe national strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls. We believe that there is no place in our society for these types of toxic behaviours and are firmly committed to securing a future in which GBV no longer exists.

Equally Safe: National Strategy

Student Charter

Student Code of Conduct

We adopt the Equally Safe definition that GBV describes a range of gender-based behaviour which include:

• Intimidation
• Harassment
• Online abuse
• Intimate image sharing
• Domestic abuse
• Physical and emotional abuse
• Stalking
• Rape and sexual violence
• Murder
• Commercial sexual exploitation
• Honour based violence
• Forced Marriages
• Female genital mutilation
  

Although GBV affects more women and girls, it also affects men and those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Support for you

Anyone experiencing GBV is encouraged to report it immediately to someone in the College that they feel comfortable with who can support them.

All staff have been provided with vital specialist and confidential support information that fits into staff ID badges. They can use this information to support individuals or make a referral to another member of staff.

• Staff can access direct support from line managers or from Human Resources.
• Students can access support from Course Guidance Tutors or directly with Guidance and Support staff through Student Services.

For anyone affected by GBV, immediate support can be provided, and a prompt referral made to external specialised support services, if necessary. In addition, arrangements can be made to make use of the internal support services including for example, Student Counselling Service and Employee Assistance Programme.

The College will respond sympathetically, confidentially and without judgement to anyone who discloses that they are experiencing GBV. We will also provide a safe, confidential space for students and staff to receive support with no time limits set for meetings.

The type of support offered may include, but is not limited to:

• Agreed periods of absence (Authorised Absences for students) for relevant appointments, including for example support agencies, solicitors, to attend counselling, to rearrange housing or childcare and for court appointments.
• Work with local authority housing/homeless teams and Women’s Aid to support those in a crisis situation and in need of accommodation.
• Where possible, give favourable consideration to temporary changes to attendance, work arrangements and workload.
• Approve requests for an advance of pay or bursary/discretionary support.
• Access to counselling support services during college time and other internal support services.
• Review the security of information held such as temporary or new addresses, bank, or healthcare details.
• Alert reception and security staff where the alleged perpetrator is known to come to the College.
• Implement particular security arrangements that may have to be put in place to ensure the safety of the person concerned.
• Record any threatening or violent incidents by the ‘reported person’ that takes place in the College.

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other measures that we can put in place to help support you and your circumstances.

Report and support

Students can also make formal or informal reports to the College about a variety of issues including gender-based violence, safeguarding, or mental health support directly through the Student Portal.

These reports can be created either by providing contact details or reporting anonymously. 

All reports containing contact information will be responded to within a maximum of two working days.

Disclosures made through Report and Support are confidential and only passed onto relevant staff on a strictly need-to-know basis. They do not automatically initiate a formal report.

To find out more about Report and Support click here.

On this page you will find support articles about various topics. You can also make a report by clicking 'Tell Us What Happened' or Tell Us Anonymously'.”

College’s approach to supporting those making reports or disclosures

We understand that you may be concerned or worried about information you tell us when making a report, especially if you are from the LGBTQIA+ community. We understand this can be very difficult. We want to reassure you that information disclosed in your report will not be shared outside the small group of staff that respond to reports without your consent or before you are ready to tell your own story.

The College will not tolerate any instances of ‘outing’. As outlined in both the Student Charter and Student Code of Conduct, students should treat all members of the College community with consideration and respect. ‘Outing’ would be considered an example of Gross Misconduct and appropriate action would be undertaken.

Students disclosing any incident of GBV will not face disciplinary action for breaching of policies relating to drug consumption, under-age alcohol consumption or misconduct in relation to the circumstances surrounding the incident.

It should be noted that in a small minority of cases there may be instances where investigation, possibly disciplinary action, or extended disclosure to named support contact may be required. This will be with regards to any safeguarding concerns or fitness to study policies. Any additional action will be carried out in a sensitive and trauma-informed manner to best support you.

Our focus remains on making you feel safe and supported.

Non-disclosure Agreements (NDA’s)

The College will never use non-disclosure agreements in cases of GBV for staff and students. We aim to be as transparent as possible in reporting such cases and ensuring we have effective support is in place for those making disclosures.

EmilyTest Gender Based Violence Charter for Colleges and Universities

South Lanarkshire College is immensely proud to be the first college in Scotland to be awarded the EmilyTest Gender Based Violence Charter in November 2023.

EmilyTest is a Scottish charity working to improve prevention, intervention and support concerning gender-based violence. The charity was created in 2016 by Fiona Drouet, following the death of her daughter undergraduate student, Emily Drouet, who took her own life after being subjected to a campaign of gender-based violence from a fellow student.

The EmilyTest Charter is dedicated to enhancing prevention, intervention, and support related to gender-based violence. The charter, bearing a comprehensive framework informed by evidence and student perspectives, plays a pivotal role in further and higher education by offering an institution-wide and nationwide approach. It serves as both an internal toolbox, facilitating effective prevention and intervention, and an external marker for celebrating progress and ensuring accountability.

Urgent help and support

If you need help now, or if a crime is in progress, or you require urgent medical attention, please call 999.

If you are unable to speak to an emergency operator, you can use the ‘silent solution’ system by pressing 55 when prompted on your phone to alert the police.

Police Scotland

You can contact the police for non-emergencies by calling 101, or for emergencies dial 999.
https://www.scotland.police.uk/