The Open University is proud to be a signatory of the Can't Buy My Silence pledge, affirming our commitment to never using a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in any instance involving sexual harassment, discrimination, abuse or misconduct, or other forms of harassment and bullying. The University supports any individuals right to speak safely and confidently about what has happened to them.

Report + Support – submitting a concern

As a student, staff member or visitor, you can report any form of discrimination, bullying or harassment anonymously or with contact information through the online Report+Support platform. All information will be treated sensitively and confidentially.

Report+Support does not replace our Complaints and Appeals Procedure.

Students – submitting a formal complaint

As a student, you can submit a complaint to the University about any perceived discrimination, bullying or harassment using the Student Complaints and Appeals Procedures.

If you need support submitting your complaint, the OU Students Association Individual Representation Team will be able to help.

Staff and visitors – submitting a formal complaint

As a member of staff, you can submit a complaint about any perceived discrimination, bullying or harassment to your line manager, to the People Hub (only accessible by staff via a login) or via Report+Support. Visitors can use Report+Support to submit a complaint.

All complaints about perceived discrimination, bullying or harassment will be treated equally, irrespective of the route used to raise concerns.

Further advice is provided in the following policies:

• Bullying and Harassment process (only accessible by staff via a login) 
• General Grievance process (only accessible by staff via a login)

External support organisations

The following organisations provide free and confidential support to help you with any concerns or experiences of bullying, harassment, or violence.

• Citizens Advice (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Citizen Information (Ireland) can provide advice, support and resources about bullying, harassment or any form of violence.
• The UK Government Enough Campaign site shares information on specialist support organisations who can help with a wide range of abuse including online bullying, stalking and sexual harassment.
• Hub of Hope is the UK's leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place.
• National Bullying Helpline offers advice and support for anyone dealing with bullying, including cyberbullying and online harassment.
• The Samaritans provides emotional support to anyone in distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. If you are in the United Kingdom and Ireland, you can call The Samaritans on 116 123, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Victim Support (England and Wales), Victim Support Scotland and Victim Support Northern Ireland are independent charities, set up to support victims of crime or traumatic events.

Getting help with your mental health

If you’re struggling with your mental health because of bullying or harassment, you may find it helpful to talk with your doctor. If you need immediate help call emergency services on 999 (UK or Ireland).

If you want to talk with someone, the following text-based services may help:

• Shout is a free and confidential 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. If you’re a student or member of staff just text ‘OU’ to 85258; anyone else just text ‘Shout’ to 85258.
• Text about it is a free and confidential 24/7 text messaging support service in Ireland –text ‘Hello’ to 50808.

If you’re a student and you’re struggling with your mental health:

• You can talk in confidence with your Student Support Team or the Graduate School
• You might also find information on the Mental Health, wellbeing and keeping safe page useful (make sure you sign in to see all support).

If you’re a member of staff and you need some help with your mental health:

• You can talk in confidence with your line manager, head of unit or the People Hub.
• You might also find it useful to talk with a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) – you can find a list of MHFAs on your unit’s intranet page.
• The Wellbeing+ (only accessible by staff via a login) page provides information about the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and OU Wellbeing app.

Sexual misconduct, abuse or violence

If you’ve experienced any form of sexual misconduct, abuse or violence, it’s never too late to get support.

• If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services on 999 (UK or Ireland).
• The UK Government Sexual Abuse Support site provides links to various sources of confidential support in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• If you’re in the UK, you can find your local sexual assault referral centre on the NHS ‘Help after sexual assault and rape’ site.
• The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a national organisation in Ireland offering support to anyone affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or childhood sexual abuse.

Domestic Abuse or Gender-based violence

No one should live in fear of abuse. If you are experiencing or have experienced any form of domestic abuse or gender-based violence, the following organisations and support may be helpful:

• If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services on 999 (UK or Ireland).
• The UK Government guidance on ‘Domestic abuse: how to get help’ contains information on free, confidential support across the UK, including how to access Safe Spaces.
• The UK Government Enough campaign provides advice on how to help stop and report abuse, how to get support, and how to check for inappropriate behaviours of abuse.
• You can also access information, advice and support on the NHS Domestic violence and abuse page.
• Safe Ireland offers information and support including a list of domestic abuse services located across Ireland.

If you’re struggling with your mental health because of any form of sexual misconduct, abuse or violence, please talk with your doctor. The ‘General Support – external organisations, immediate support, internal services’ section above contains some mental health support links we hope you will find useful.