Physical misconduct, bullying and harassment

What is physical misconduct?

Physical misconduct includes using or threatening violence towards someone, either intentionally or recklessly. This includes using or threatening to use a weapon or object to cause harm.

What is bullying?

Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, or an abuse or misuse of power, intended to undermine, humiliate or harm another person.

Bullying can be physical, verbal or social, and can also happen online.

Examples include:

• Pushing, tripping or kicking
• Threatening or intimidating others
• Shouting, name-calling or making derogatory remarks
• Sending abusive messages or sharing inappropriate images
• Spreading rumours or deliberately excluding others

What is peer pressure?

Peer pressure is the feeling of being pushed to do something because others expect you to, often to fit in or avoid feeling left out. It’s important to recognise when something doesn’t feel right for you. Being able to say no and stand by your choices can help you maintain your independence and wellbeing.

What is harassment?

Harassment is unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal behaviour that violates, or has the potential to violate, a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Harassment can affect a person’s learning, working or social environment. It can also include treating someone less favourably because they have previously submitted to, or refused such behaviour.

Harassment may be sexual in nature or related to a protected characteristic, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Examples include:

• Unwanted physical contact, including touching, pinching, pushing, grabbing or invading someone’s personal space.
• Offensive or intimidating comments, gestures, jokes or pranks.
• Mocking, mimicking or belittling someone’s disability.
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist jokes or derogatory remarks about a particular group.
• Outing, or threatening to out, someone as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
• Deliberately excluding or shunning someone from conversations or social activities.

Support at UHI Inverness

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 (or 112 from a mobile) 

If the incident has just happened, find somewhere you feel safe. 

Our priority is making sure you, or the person you're reporting on behalf of get the appropriate advice, support and guidance following your experience.  

• Speak to a member of staff or report the incident online. If you are an FE student (SCQF levels 1–6), you can also speak to your PDA about concerns affecting your studies or wellbeing.
• Wellbeing Support provides confidential support from a team of professional counsellors. The service is available to all students and can also connect you with external and specialist services. Contact the team: wellbeing.ic@uhi.ac.uk
• Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) provides independent advice and support.
• The Sanctuary pastoral service offers impartial support and guidance to students and staff, regardless of their faith or philosophy of life.

External specialist support and resources

The National Bullying Helpline provides direct advice and assistance for dealing with bullying. 

• National Bullying Helpline – advice and support for dealing with bullying.
• Bullying UK – information and support, including advice on bullying at university.
• Respectme – Scotland’s anti-bullying service, providing advice and resources on bullying.
• Bullies Out – education, training and support for young people, parents and workplaces.
• Ditch the Label – advice and support for young people experiencing bullying and mental health difficulties.
• Report Harmful Content – advice on reporting cyberbullying and harmful content on social media platforms.
• Victim Support Scotland – anti-bullying information, support and access to a helpline.

Please note: UHI Inverness is not liable for external web content and may not be aware when this content is changed or removed.