Help and advice

If you have been affected by harassment, bullying, intimidation or discrimination there are a range of support services provided by the University, Students' Guild, Students' Union and external organisations who can help all students and staff.

The University also has information about safeguarding, including how to raise a safeguarding concern.

Support for students

In an emergency

Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire brigade) – 999
Campus Estate Patrol (Exeter) – 01392 723 999
Campus Security (Penryn) – 01326 254 444

There is further information for students about how to stay safe, including while you're out and getting home, on the University of Exeter website.

If you need non-emergency medical attention

Exeter

Cornwall

Student Health Centre and local surgeries (Penryn and Falmouth)
Lander Medical Practice (Truro)
Royal Cornwall Hospitals

For out-of-hours medical care, wherever you are, use the NHS 111 service

Sexual abuse and assault: Support and information

Visit our dedicated page for support and information around sexual abuse and assault, including emergency help.

If you need advice or to talk to somebody

University-wide

Dignity and Respect Advisors – members of staff providing a confidential and informal service for students or staff involved in cases of harassment or bullying (including those facing allegations about their behaviour)
International Student Support – advising and supporting non-UK students on all campuses
Nightline – confidential and anonymous listening service run by trained student volunteers during term-time
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team – EDI information and support for students and staff

Exeter

Students’ Guild Advice Unit
Residence Life Team – confidential support for students living in University accommodation
Multi-faith Chaplaincy – a safe and confidential space to talk

Cornwall

The Students’ Union Advice Service – support for housing, finances, academic concerns and welfare
Student Support – living and welfare support
Multi-faith Chaplaincy – a safe and confidential space to talk

If you need wellbeing support

Mitigation – support for unexpected situations that affect your ability to complete an assessment or exam (such as illness or a family crisis)
Wellbeing Services, including

Student Support (Cornwall)

Support for staff

In an emergency

Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire brigade) – 999
Campus Estate Patrol (Exeter) – 01392 723 999
Campus Security (Penryn) – 01326 254 444

Sexual abuse and assault: Support and information

Visit our dedicated page for support and information around sexual abuse and assault, including emergency help.

If you need advice or somebody to talk to

Dignity and Respect Advisors – members of staff providing a confidential and informal service for staff or students involved in cases of harassment or bullying (including those facing allegations about their behaviour)
Speak Out Guardians – members of staff who are there to provide a supportive, confidential and informal environment in which staff can discuss issues regarding harassment and/or bullying
Human Resources Business Partners, Managers and Advisors – a first point of contact for all HR-related enquiries
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team – EDI information and support for students and staff

If you need wellbeing support

Spectrum Life is the University's Employee Assistance Provider (EAP). The EAP offers many free services, including counselling. This free service is available to staff members and postgraduate students, as well as family members living at their address.
Occupational Health team - mental health and disability support

External support and advice

Family Lives
National Bullying Helpline
The Mix (support for under 25s)
Galop (for LGBTQ+ people)
Samaritans - Write, email, online chat, or call 116 123 to talk to someone
Visit our dedicated page for wellbeing and support around sexual abuse and assault

What is a hate crime?

Hate crime is against the law. A hate crime is any crime perceived to have been motivated by hostility or prejudice.

A hate incident is any incident perceived to have been motivated by hostility or prejudice, which does not meet the criminal threshold. ‌

A hate crime can be committed against a person or their property based on:

Disability
Race or ethnicity
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation
Gender identity
or any part of someone’s personal identity

Hate crimes can include things like:

Being called names or other forms of verbal abuse
Being sent offensive letters, emails or text messages
Being attacked or threatened with violence
Having your property interfered with or damaged

If any of these things are happening to you, you should report to the police and you can also report to the University.

The police and the University take all reports seriously. We have a zero tolerance approach to hate crime and work together on this.

If you are not sure if you have experienced a crime or not, we would still encourage you to report it to the police or the University.

How do I report a hate crime?

Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger, people are injured, an offender is nearby, or you need immediate support. There is more information on the Devon and Cornwall Police website on when to call 999. There is also information on how to make a silent 999 call if needed.

You can report hate crime to the police online, by calling the police emergency number 101, or visiting your local police station.

If you do not want to report directly to the police, you can report through the True Vision Report It tool or Stop Hate UK. By reporting through a third party you can remain anonymous if you wish to, but please read the guidance on the provider website about how to do this.

The University cannot report a hate crime to the police on your behalf but we can support you to make a report to the police. You can ask for this support when you report an incident informally or formally.

Additional resources and information

On Your Side is a UK-wide support and reporting service for anyone in the UK who identifies as East and Southeast Asian who has experienced racism or any forms of hate. They provide information in a number of different languages:

‌‌

Domestic abuse

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is the misuse of power and control by one person over another. This controlling behaviour may take place in various ways, for example through physical violence, emotional or psychological manipulation, forcing sexual acts or taking over your finances. It is never the fault of the person who is experiencing it. It can begin at any time, can be obvious or subtle and can happen suddenly or gradually. It can happen to anyone regardless of class, age, race, religion, culture, disability or sexual orientation.

For more information on domestic abuse, signs to look out for and actions you can take if you’re affected by abuse, visit the Devon and Cornwall Police website.

Where to get support

Immediate support

National support services

There are many organisations providing advice and support to people affected by domestic abuse.

If you have a place at a refuge but need help to travel there, the Rail to Refuge programme can help.

University of Exeter

The University provides student wellbeing services in Exeter and Cornwall. Information about support and resources for staff is available online.

Our University is an inclusive community, where everyone has the right to feel safe and be treated with respect. We encourage staff and students who have experienced or witnessed abuse to report through Exeter Speaks Out and get the support you might need.