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The University is closed from 5pm on Monday 23 December until 9am on Friday 3 January. Reports submitted during this period will not be reviewed until the University reopens on 3 January.

If you require immediate support, please visit the ‘Support’ tab, which includes information about what to do if you’ve experienced Gender Based Violence, Hate Crime, Harassment or Bullying. In an emergency, including if you feel at risk, or require emergency services, call 999. If you need a safe space or support from the University, call the Emergency Response Team on 07854 199020.

Consent is when someone agrees, gives permission, or says 'yes' to sexual activity with another person(s).

Consent needs to be enthusiastic, freely given, and can be withdrawn at any point during a sexual encounter.

The law defines consent as ‘free agreement’.

Consent is not:

  • Silence
  • Passivity
  • Lack of resistance
  • Immobility
  • A smile
  • A revealing outfit
  • Friendly body language
  • Possible when someone is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol
  • Possible when someone is asleep
  • Mandatory because you are in a relationship (including marriage) with a person
  • Mandatory because someone has previously agreed to it
  • Mandatory because someone has agreed to go home with you
  • Mandatory because someone likes to regularly have sex

If you are still unsure about consent and how it works then watch this video that compares consent to drinking tea.

Consent is a mandatory and basic part of human relationships; no one has rights over anyone else's body, for any reason.

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