If you experience sexual misconduct, you might feel isolated, upset, scared or angry. You might feel something else. You might not know what to do next. 

As soon as you can, write down what happened and keep it somewhere safe. It can be hard to remember a few days after, so making a note as soon as possible will help with this. When you make these notes make sure you include dates, times, what happened, how it made you feel, if anyone else was there and if there is anything else you think might be useful to know. 

Sexual misconduct can take place when there are no other witnesses. This does not change the response you receive. You will be believed and supported. 

It can be helpful to talk to someone you trust about what happened. This might be a colleague, friend, family member, or a union representative. You can also contact the Trust’s Support Services, who are available to listen, support you, and help you consider your next steps. This type of conversation is often referred to as a disclosure. 

When you feel ready, you may choose to report your experience. It’s important to understand that reporting is different from disclosing. A report involves sharing your experience with someone in a position of responsibility or authority within the Trust, with the expectation that action will be taken. By reporting, you are asking the Trust to address the behaviour and take steps to prevent it from happening again. 

Please be aware that in some cases, a disclosure may need to be escalated and formally reported, especially if there is a potential risk to others. However, if you do not wish for your experience to be formally reported, your identity will be kept confidential wherever possible. 

Reporting sexual misconduct 

When sexual misconduct is reported, it allows UHB to take action to keep people safe and prevent it happening again. There isn’t a time limit on when you choose to report your experience but making a report as soon as possible will allow actions to be taken more quickly. 

At UHB we want you to know that if you make a report of sexual misconduct, you will be believed and supported. 

How can you report sexual misconduct? 

You can report your experience, or you can ask the person you have disclosed to (e.g. a colleague) to do this for you. You can also report witnessing sexual misconduct. 

There are different ways to report what you have experienced or witnessed. You can report to: 

• your manager, another manager/supervisor/educational supervisor 
• the People Advisory Service or People Site Teams, 
• a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (FTSUG) 
• via the online form (this can be completed anonymously)
  • sexual misconduct reporting form 

If you are reporting sexual misconduct as a witness, you must have the affected person’s permission before including their name. If you do not have their permission, you can still report the incident - but you should not identify them. 

Remember a colleague, trade union representative, Wellbeing Champion, or an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate can support you to make a report.