Find out how to get help if you or someone you know is experiencing stalking or harassment.

Important: You may find some of the information in this part of the website triggering or upsetting. You can leave the Student Hub or see other wellbeing guidance instead.

Urgent help

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for every member of our community. If you have just been assaulted, feel you are at risk, think that others may be at risk, or need urgent medical attention find out how to get help or call the emergency services on 999.

Stalking

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that causes someone to feel distressed or scared. Stalking isn’t always violent but it is serious and it is a crime.

If you aren’t sure if you are being stalked, the ‘FOUR’ acronym might help you decide.

Decide if the attention you are getting from someone is:

  • fixated
  • obsessive
  • unwanted
  • repetitive.

Find out more about stalking and how to identify if it’s happening to you

Being stalked can be extremely distressing. It may cause you to become hyper vigilant, change the way you live your life and affect how you feel about yourself.

Find out what to do if you are being stalked.

Harassment 

Harassment is unwanted behaviour from someone else. This includes repeated attempts to force unwanted communications and contact in a way which could be expected to cause distress or fear in any reasonable person. 

This can include:

  • unwanted phone calls, texts, letters, emails, or visits
  • abuse (verbal or online)
  • physical gestures or facial expressions
  • images and graffiti.

Protected characteristics

Some forms of harassment specifically target people because of certain protected characteristics. It aims to violate a person’s dignity or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humilating or offensive environment for that individual. This is illegal under the 2010 Equality Act. 

This behaviour or treatment may relate to one or more of the following protected characteristics: 

  • age 
  • disability 
  • gender reassignment 
  • race 
  • religion or belief 
  • sex  
  • sexual orientation 
  • marriage and civil partnership 
  • pregnancy and maternity.

Experiencing harassment can be frightening and traumatic. In the longer term it can have negative affects on your mental and physical health.

Getting help from the University

To disclose an incident to the University and receive support use our Report and Support tool. This does not trigger a ‘formal’ report to the University, but it is the best way to seek expert advice and support.

If you decide against contacting the police, live in University-managed accommodation and need help at night or over the weekend, find out who to contact at the University.

USe report and support

Local and national help and support

See how to report an incident of stalking and harassment to Sussex Police

Find out where else you can get support if you have been affected by stalking or harassment

See more from Getting help