Receiving a gender-based violence (GBV) disclosure
Updated on: 22 April 2026
Guidance on what to do if you receive a gender-based violence (GBV) disclosure
If you or someone else is in immediate danger
Call the emergency services on 999 (dial 9999 from a University extension) if you or someone else is in physical danger or needs urgent medical help.
After contacting the emergency services and if you are on-site, call the University Security and Response Team on: +44 (0)1334 46 8999 (dial 8999 from a University extension).
The team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Further support available
- for staff
- visit the Dignity and Respect webpage or policy for guidance on how to report unwanted behaviour
- visit the staff wellbeing page for helpful resources including access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- for students
- Everyone
What to do
If someone tells you they have experienced sexual or gender-based violence (GBV), your response can make a big difference. You do not need to be a specialist – your role is to listen with empathy and help them find the right support.
The University recommends following the six steps set out by End Violence Against Women when responding to a disclosure.
1. Believe them
Be kind and reassure them that they are not to blame. Confirm you take the matter seriously. Do not ask for proof.
2. Explain your role and encourage towards specialist support
Advise that you are not a trained specialist but you can listen, provide information and refer for support.
The best outcome is that they seek specialist support as soon as possible.
You can:
- Offer to support them in reporting the incident to the University through Report and Support or to the Director or Deputy Director of HR at hrconfidential@st-andrews.ac.uk.
- Refer them to Specialist gender-based violence (GBV) support.
3. Ask if they feel safe
Ask them if they are feeling frightened and, if they are, ask what they are afraid of.
Early on, let them know you are duty bound to tell someone immediately if they disclose that they, or someone else, is at risk of serious harm. This is to keep them safe.
Share the information with:
- The Director or Deputy Director of HR at hrconfidential@st-andrews.ac.uk and the Vice-Principal (People and Governance)
If you are unsure whether to escalate, remove any identifying information and ask the Director or Deputy Director of HR for advice.
4. Listen actively
Don’t interrupt. Don’t be afraid of silences. Concentrate on what you are being told.
Don’t investigate or probe for detail; that’s not your role.
Take brief, factual notes of what was said and don’t include assumptions.
You should email a copy of your notes to the individual making the disclosure and include details of support they can access. Then dispose of any printed notes.
5. Give them control
The person making the disclosure needs to be in control and make their own decisions about what happens next.
It is not appropriate to offer solutions or advice or to act on their behalf without their full consent unless there is a risk of harm to them or others (see step 3)
6. Safeguarding for under-18s
If the disclosure is being made by someone over 16 but under 18 and in care or a care leaver, you need to pass this disclosure to the person responsible for safeguarding procedures. Please contact Vice-Principal (People and Governance)
This should ideally be done with the person’s consent.
Further guidance if you receive a disclosure
You may be called as a witness if the person (or the University) reports the incident to the Police.
You have an obligation to keep the information confidential - except where there is a risk of serious harm to them or others. In that case, you have an obligation to disclose to the Director or Deputy Director of HR at hrconfidential@st-andrews.ac.uk and the Vice-Principal (People and Governance).