What is Gender Based Violence?

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a spectrum of violence and abuse which can be psychological, physical, emotional and/or sexual. These can take place in physical and/or digital spaces. GBV occurs across all-levels of society and is a function of gender inequality. GBV is overwhelmingly, but not exclusively, carried out by men against women and while it predominantly affects women and girls, it impacts everyone.

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Examples include, but are not limited to:

We believe that Gender-Based Violence is never okay. Gender-Based Violence is contrary to the Equality Act 2010, which defines specific types of discrimination, and the University’s Student Disciplinary Procedure (Non-Academic) and Policy for the Prevention of Bullying Harassment and Victimisation. We also have a public webpage dedicated to Gender-Based Violence, which you can find here.

If you are concerned that you have displayed any harmful behaviours that may be constitute Gender-Based Violence, you can seek support for yourself. If you would like to speak with someone from the Mental Health and Wellbeing team from the university, you can register for support.

 

What support is available from BCU people who have experienced Gender-Based Violence?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or are seriously injured, you can seek emergency support by calling 999. If you are on campus and need additional support, you can call Security on 0121 331 6969, they are available 24/7.  

If you have experienced, or you know someone who has experienced Gender Based Violence it can be helpful to talk about this with someone you trust. You can speak to the University Mental Health & Wellbeing Team, who have trained advisors to support students at BCU. The Mental Health & Wellbeing team are available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

You can also choose to speak to the Student Support Centre or to your personal tutor for support and guidance.

BCU’s wellbeing app is an online support service that can be accessed by BCU students and staff for free. There are self-help resources and information on anxiety, stress, managing emotions and building confidence readily available. 

Extenuating Circumstances. If you feel your studies have been affected by what has happened, you can consider applying for extenuating circumstances. 

If you are a member of staff, you can contact People and Culture, your HR partner will be able to identify the support that’s available for you.  Staff members can also utilise the Employee Assistance Programme. If you are a member of a trade union, you may be able to access further support by getting in touch with them directly. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team provides advice, support and guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion related issues to academic advisors and other staff in student-supporting roles. 

If you are worried or concerned about someone else, find out more about how you can help them.

 

What support is available externally for Gender-Based Violence?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or are seriously injured, you can seek emergency support by calling 999. If you are on campus and need additional support, you can call Security on 0121 331 6969, they are available 24/7.  

If you would like to explore support external to the university, you can find a list of organisations below that can provide this support. These organisations will be able to provide to support to anyone, no matter if they are a staff member or a student.

·Victim Support offer free and confidential advice and support

·Refuge (National Domestic Abuse Helpline): Confidential support for anyone who has been subjected to sexual violence in England and Wales.

·Birmingham and Solihull Womens Aid: Supporting women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse.

·Respect Men's Advice Line: Supporting men affected by domestic abuse.

It’s important to take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you, seek help and support from one of the above services. 

If you are worried or concerned about someone else, find out more about how you can help them.

 

If you are concerned that you have displayed any harmful behaviours and you would like to access external support for these behaviours, please see the organisations below:

 

Reporting Gender-Based Violence

We encourage concerns of Gender-Based Violence to be raised via Report and Support. This system can be used by staff or students; you can choose to do this either anonymously or you can report with your contact details. If you choose to report with contact details, an advisor will be able to talk you through the options and support available to you, in confidence. You can report an incident no matter where it took place.

If you choose to make a formal complaint [LS1] to the University about a student or member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.

 If you are worried or concerned about someone else, find out more about how you can help them.

 

If you would like to submit information on a support service you think might help others, please contact us.  

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There are two ways you can tell us what happened

Report anonymously or Report with contact details