Support and Report for staff

Support and Report

Information for staff, visitors and members of the public

Please note this page provides information about options for support and reporting harassment for staff, visitors and members of the public. If you are a student, or a member of staff with concerns about a student, please visit the student webpages. 

At the University of Exeter, we are an inclusive community where everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. All forms of harassment, bullying and discrimination go against all that we stand for and will not be tolerated.

We understand that following any incident, you may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about what has happened to you, or what you have witnessed. We encourage you to seek support for and/or report any incident, no matter how big or small it may seem. If you are unsure about any of the options listed below, you can contact a Dignity and Respect Advisor or Speak Out Guardian to confidentially discuss your experience before proceeding.

Your Options

If you have experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour, you have several options.  

You can: 

  • Make an informal report (with your name or anonymously)
  • Make a formal complaint
  • Access support available at the university
  • Explore more than one of these options – it’s your choice 

We understand that every situation is different, and we’re here to support you in a way that works for you. 

Access Support

You don’t have to report an incident to receive support. You can speak informally and confidentially with:

  • Dignity and Respect Advisors – Trained staff offering informal, confidential guidance for staff and students.
  • Speak Out Guardians – A safe space to discuss bullying, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour confidentially for colleagues.
  • Colleague Wellbeing – Access a wide range of wellbeing support through our A–Z Wellbeing Index.
  • Spectrum Life - Access support via our free Employee Assistance Programme

All discussions will remain confidential and will not be shared without your express permission. However, if you tell us something that indicates an imminent risk of serious harm to yourself and/or others, we may have to break confidentiality in line with the university’s Safeguarding Framework.

Report and Access Support

Contacting a Dignity and Respect Advisor or a Speak Out Guardian is a good way to explore your options and next steps in a confidential and informal way.

If you would prefer to make a report, you can:

  • Report anonymously (anonymous reports will not receive a response).
  • Report using your contact details if you would like follow-up support. If you choose to leave your contact details, someone from the Wellbeing, Inclusion and Culture team will be in touch within 3 working days to offer support and talk through your options.
  • You can make either an anonymous or named informal report using this form.
  • If you wish to make a Formal Complaint, you can do so through the University’s Grievance Procedure (staff only).

 In an Emergency 

  • Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire): 999
  • Estate Patrol (Exeter): 01392 723999
  • Campus and Residential Support (Cornwall): 01326 254444
  • Support for anyone experiencing an urgent mental health crisis: