Human Resources Division

Criminal offences

Some types of harassment may also be criminal offences. Harassment complaints made within the University will continue to be dealt with by the procedures outlined above although there are important exceptions, described below.

The University has a responsibility to make reports where criminal offences or a threat to anyone's health and safety are concerned.

Physical assault, including rape

Unfortunately there may be times when individuals suffer a physical assault. This may have a racial or other element or it may involve a sexual assault including rape. If you are injured in any way, and if you suffer rape, you must seek medical help and advice immediately. It is also very important to inform the police. You need not do any of this on your own and you may receive advice and help from specialist organisations such as the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (tel. 01223 245888). Failure to report an attack immediately after it occurs does not prevent you from lodging a complaint at a later date. However it is advisable to report the incident as soon as you can. If you felt unable to do so, or could not do so at the time, you should not let the incident pass but should report it as soon as you feel able to do so.

You should also report any sexual or physical assault, to the Head of your institution or Chairman of the School or the Director of Human Resources, if the Head of your institution is involved. Again you need not do this alone, but it is important to do it as early as possible.

Some assaults will trigger a duty on the University to make a report to the Health and Safety Executive.

Reporting criminal offences to the police

Those forms of harassment which are criminal offences and which are not minor should be reported to the police.

Internal investigations and disciplinary action may still take place within the University, whether or not the police decided to proceed. However, in some cases there may have to be a delay whilst police investigations are carried out.

In its handling of the matter the University would always try to consider the legitimate concerns of the complainant about involving the police and in reporting the matter to the police care would always be taken to offer as much support and advice to the complainant and, as appropriate, to the accused as it reasonably can.