If you have experienced sexual violence there is a variety of support options available to meet your needs.
For students and staff
For students and staff
- City's Dignity and Respect Advisers are a group of staff volunteers trained to provide confidential advice and support to students and staff who are concerned about bullying or harassment. They can assist by acting as a sounding board, exploring options available and helping with the understanding of City policies and procedures. Information for students on Dignity and Respect Advisers is available on the Student Hub and for staff it is available on the Staff Hub.
For students
Students can connect with staff across the University:
- Student Health and Wellbeing provide students with practical, emotional and specialist disability related support. Students can complete the e-referral form to access these services.
- Student Support Services are a multi-disciplinary team that provides support, expert advice and guidance to students. You can contact them through our Support@City platform
- The Chaplaincy Team offer pastoral support to everyone, welcoming every faith, belief and culture and students with no faith, and can be contacted directly.
- The SU Advice Service offer support for students who have experienced any form of harassment, bullying or sexual violence, either on campus, online or off campus. You can access support here.
For staff
- Vivup, City St George's Employee Assistance Provider (0800 023 9324) - Their telephone helpline provides staff members with expert support for life's ups and downs - 24/7, 365 days a year. Whatever mental, physical, financial or personal issue you're facing, you can find a wide range of resources to help you.
- City St George's Family and Carers Exchange Network is a forum which provides a platform for people to voice general concerns and ideas, allowing the core group to take these forward for implementation. It also provides an opportunity for networking and peer support between members.
- City St George's LGBTQI+ Network aims to raise the visibility of the LGBTQI+ community at City. It meets regularly and holds events to discuss how to promote inclusivity and a greater understanding and awareness of dignity and diversity. It welcomes all City staff members regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- City St George's Network for Racial Justice (NRJ) is a staff affinity group for People of Colour (PoC). The NRJ aims to bring together PoC staff members, both professional and academic who feel passionate about racial justice and want to see a truly inclusive environment at City.
- CityUniWomen is a staff led network providing voice, opportunity and connection for all City staff who identify as women.
- City St George's WAND Network (staff network for Wellbeing, Accessibility, Neurodiversity & Disability) is a welcoming group for disabled staff, staff with long-term health conditions, staff who care for disabled dependents and staff with an interest in disability and mental health.
- Faith and Belief Network is a multi-faith and belief network for all staff across City.
- Human Resources - Contact your local HR Team for support and advice about policies which may apply in your circumstances.
- Security Services aims to ensure that City St George's is a safe and secure place for students, staff, and visitors. They can assist with crime prevention, reporting and investigation.
- The Multi Faith Chaplaincy Team provide general spiritual and pastoral support as well as faith-specific support. The team can also advise and work with other networks as the need arises. The Chaplaincy have an open door policy and are available to all staff regardless of belief.
- The Staff Counselling Service offers free confidential support to staff.
- The Wellbeing@City Hub provides details of additional information and support on wellbeing.
- Trade Unions - If you are a member of either University College Union (UCU), UNISON or Unite you can contact your representative for advice and support.
- Your line manager - Depending on the circumstances, you may also feel able to discuss the issue with your line manager, who will listen and provide support and guidance.
Other sources of support for students and staff
Galop - The LGBT+ anti-violence charity provides support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people who have experienced sexual violence, domestic abuse or hate crime.
Male Survivors Partnership (0808 800 5005) is a network of organisations working with male survivors of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual exploitation.
Rape Crisis England & Wales (0808 802 9999) is the umbrella body for a network of independent Rape Crisis Centres. Its member centres provide specialist support and services for victims and survivors of sexual violence. If it is difficult to make contact by phone, a live chat service is available on weekdays via the website.
Revenge Porn Helpline (0345 600 0459) provides confidential support to adults who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as revenge porn.
Samaritans (116 123) provides 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.
Stay Safe East is a unique user-led organisation run by disabled people, providing specialist and holistic advocacy and support services to disabled people in London who are victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, hate crime, harassment and other forms of abuse.
Survivors UK is a charity offering a range of support services including counselling and therapy as well as online chat to male survivors of sexual violence. They are an inclusive service and welcome anyone who identifies as male, trans, non-binary, has identified as male in the past, or anyone that feels they are the right fit for them.
SupportLine (01708-765200) provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support for those who are isolated, at risk, vulnerable and at risk of any form of abuse.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline (0300 330 0630) provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people, and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.
The Havens - Sexual Assault Referral Centres provide a network of three specialist sexual assault referral centres in London (Camberwell, Paddington, and Whitechapel). The centres are managed by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and offer medical, practical, and emotional support to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or raped. For urgent advice and appointments (24/7) 020 3299 6900; for non-urgent information 020 3299 1599).
The Survivors Trust (08088 010818) is an umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK, and provides information, advice, support, and therapy to survivors of rape and sexual abuse, including support for partners and families. The NHS webpages include resources, including links to support services, for individuals who have been sexually assaulted or raped.
Victim Support (0808 168 9111) 24/7 support line provide support and advice to anyone who has been a victim of crime, whether or not you have spoken to the police.