Sexual misconduct and gender-based violence

What is sexual misconduct?

Sexual misconduct is a broad term used to describe unwanted, inappropriate, exploitative, or non-consensual sexual behaviour that violates laws, workplace rules, professional standards, or institutional policies.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Sexual harassment, such as unwanted sexual comments messages, or advances.
Sexual assault or rape.
Unwanted sexual touching or physical contact.
Consent cannot be given by individuals who are incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious; or under the legal age of consent.
Unsolicited and unwanted jokes, comments, or language.
Coercing, pressuring or manipulating someone into sexual activity.
Sharing intimate images without consent.
Deliberately 'outing' someone regarding their gender identity or sexual orientation.

What is gender-based violence? (GBV)

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is behaviour that harms, controls, threatens or discriminates against someone because of their gender, gender identity or gender expression, or because of unequal power relationships between genders.

GBV can affect anyone, but it disproportionately affects women and girls. It can occur in homes, workplaces, educational settings, online or in public spaces.

Examples of gender-based violence can include:

Domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour.
Stalking someone in person or online.
Harassment or unwanted behaviour that makes someone feel intimidated, unsafe, humiliated, degraded or offended.
Sexual assault or rape.
Child sexual abuse.
Sexual exploitation, trafficking, extortion, or coercion.
Forced marriage or child marriage.
Abuse by family members, including so-called ‘honour-based’ abuse.
Threatening someone with any of the behaviours listed above.
Restricting someone’s freedom or controlling their movements and choices.

Gender-Based Violence: Visit our Gender-Based Violence (GBV) webpage for further information and support.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour used by one person to control, intimidate, threaten or harm another person within a family, intimate or former intimate relationship.

Domestic abuse can occur between:

Current or former partners.
Married, cohabiting or dating couples.
Family members.
People of any gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity or background.

Domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence. It can include:

Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, kicking, choking or causing any other physical harm.
Emotional or psychological abuse: Insults, humiliation, threats, intimidation, manipulation or controlling behaviour.
Coercive control: Monitoring someone’s activities, isolating them from friends and family, or controlling what they do, wear or who they see.
Financial abuse: Controlling access to money, preventing someone from working, creating debt in their name or taking their income.
Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual activity or pressure to engage in sexual acts.
Digital abuse: Monitoring phones, emails or social media accounts, or using technology to harass, monitor or control someone.
Stalking and harassment: Repeated unwanted contact, following someone or behaving in a way that makes them feel afraid or unsafe.

For more information about domestic abuse, visit Women’s Aid - What is domestic abuse?

Support at UHI Inverness

If an assault has just taken place and you are not in a safe place, feel at risk or have injuries that require urgent attention, call 999 immediately.

If you are not in immediate danger, consider contacting a trusted friend or family member and, if possible, go somewhere you feel safe.

If you have any physical symptoms or injuries following an assault, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Support at UHI Inverness

Our priority is to make sure that you, or the person you are reporting on behalf of, receive appropriate advice, support and care following your experience.

FE students (SCQF levels 1–6) can speak to their PDA about concerns affecting their studies or personal wellbeing.
Wellbeing Support Service: A member of staff can refer you to our confidential Wellbeing Support Service, which provides support from a team of professional counsellors. Contact the team at: wellbeing.ic@uhi.ac.uk.
HISA: Students can access independent advice and support from the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA).
Sanctuary: The Sanctuary pastoral service offers impartial support and guidance to students and staff, regardless of their faith or philosophy of life.
Gender-Based Violence: Visit our Gender-Based Violence (GBV) webpage for further information and support.

External specialist support and resources

Police and reporting

Police Scotland - Advice and support relating to rape, sexual crime, domestic abuse and stalking.
- That Guy campaign - Resources to help men reflect on respect, consent and behaviours that can contribute to sexual harassment, assault and rape.
- Look in the Mirror - Video encouraging people to reflect on their own behaviour.
- Domestic abuse disclosure - Check whether someone has a history of domestic abuse.

Sexual violence and sexual assault

Rape Crisis Scotland - Support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Helpline: 08088 010302 (daily, 5pm–midnight)
- Text: 07537 410027
- Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS)- Healthcare and support following sexual assault. You can access the service even if you are not ready to report to the police or are unsure about reporting. Self-referral is available without a GP referral.
RASASH (Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland) - Support for survivors of sexual violence throughout the Highlands.
The Survivors Trust - Information and support for people who have experienced rape and sexual assault, whether recently or in the past.
Survivors UK - Support for boys and men who have experienced rape or sexual abuse, including web and SMS chat support.

Domestic abuse and unsafe relationships

Women’s Aid – Information, advice and support for people experiencing domestic abuse and their families.
Refuge – Support for women experiencing domestic abuse, coercive control or unsafe relationships.
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline – Confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
AMINA – Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Support for Muslim women, including a helpline, advocacy, workshops and telephone befriending.
The Fearless Project (SACRO) – Support for men and LGBTI+ people experiencing domestic abuse.

Support for men

AMIS (Abused Men in Scotland) – Support for men who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. Helpline: 03300 949395
Men’s Advice Line – Support for men experiencing domestic abuse from a current or former partner. Helpline: 0808 801 0327
Respect – Support for male victims of domestic abuse, as well as people concerned about their own behaviour in relationships.
The Mankind Initiative – Confidential support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK. Helpline: 01823 334244
Survivors UK – Support for boys and men who have experienced rape or sexual abuse.

Stalking

National Stalking Helpline – Practical advice, safety planning and guidance on reporting stalking. Helpline: 0808 802 0300
Suzy Lamplugh Trust – Information and support through the National Stalking Helpline.
Protection Against Stalking – Advice and information, including experiences from people who have been stalked.
Action Against Stalking – Support, information and advice for people affected by stalking. Helpline: 0800 020 2427
Police Scotland – Information and resources about stalking, including the Truth About Stalking campaign.

LGBTQ+ support

Galop – Support and advice for LGBT+ people who have experienced sexual violence, domestic abuse or other forms of abuse.
Stonewall – Information and guidance for LGBTQ+ people, including resources relating to domestic abuse and violence.
The Fearless Project (SACRO) – Support for LGBTI+ people experiencing domestic abuse.

Intimate image abuse

Revenge Porn Helpline – Support for adults aged 18 and over experiencing intimate image abuse, sometimes referred to as ‘revenge porn’.

Legal advice

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre – Free and confidential legal advice and advocacy support for people affected by violence and abuse in Scotland.

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