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MODULE: Welfare

Bullying & Harassment

Definition of Bullying:


Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm to a student

Definition of Harassment:


Harassment occurs when someone engages in unwanted behaviour which has the purpose or effect of: creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for a student

Is your society a safe space?

As a committee member it is your responsibility to ensure your society is a safe and welcoming space for all your members. We are here to support you to do this. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, let us know.

Brighton Students’ Union and the University of Brighton will NOT allow any form of Bullying or Harassment. If anyone is seen in anyway to be breaking the Code of Conduct agreed upon enrollment, disciplinary action will be taken. This could result in the student being withdrawn from their society AND place at university.

What is an Active Bystander?

Passive Bystander

Something is happening that you consider to be bullying or harassment, you decided not to say anything

Active Bystander

Something is happening that you consider to be bullying or harassment, you decide to say something

How can you be an Active Bystander?

You might come across a situation while at a society meeting or event that just doesn’t feel right to you. Maybe its a comment that is made, or you see a friend being approached again and again at an event and they are starting to look uncomfortable.


Being an active bystander means being aware of when someones behaviour is inappropriate or threatening and deciding to challenge this behaviour.


If you don’t feel comfortable calling the behaviour out then and there, get someone to help you and let us know.

Before you do anything consider the A,B,C approach
  • A – Access for Safety, can you help safely? Your personal safety is always the priority – NEVER PUT YOURSELF AT RISK!

  • B – Be in a group, it its often safer to call out behaviour or intervene when in a group.

  • C – Care for the victim, talk to the person, do they need help? Are they OK?

Follow the 4 D’s – How to Intervene Safety
  • Direct Action  – Directly call out the negative behaviour (in a group if possible) remember – be polite, remain calm, don’t aggravate or exaggerate the situation.

  • Distract – Distract them from their behaviour – Interrupt them maybe start up a conversation to distract them. It might be possible to try  and remove the victim from the situation, think of a excuses to get them away, a phone call that needs taking perhaps.

  • Delegate – Maybe you don’t want to be the person to step in or call the behaviour out, but at the same time you seem to be the only one who is noticing it. Ask someone else to step in, particularly if there is trained staff on hand to help.

  • Delay – You have accessed the situation and its to dangerous to challenge at that time. Walk away! Come back when it is safe to do so and then check in with the victim. OR don’t go back, but report it – its never to late to act!

NEVER put yourself in danger and only intervene if it is safe to do so!

Always call 999 in the case of an emergency.

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