How to report: your options

• Reporting to the University

  Contact the Student Conduct Officer (studentconduct@st-andrews.ac.uk) to discuss the internal reporting process and further advice and guidance on risk assessment and disciplinary processes. 

  You can also report any form of sexual misconduct which you, or someone you know, has experienced using the Report and Support tool. You can either choose to make a report anonymously, or report with contact details so that the Student Conduct Officer or a member of Student Services can get in touch with you to help provide support. 

   What you can expect from the University: 

  • We will take you seriously and respect your feelings and decisions. 
  • We will actively ensure you have access to the best support. 
  • We will take all reasonable action regarding your physical safety which might include reviewing accommodation arrangements, adjusting academic timetables, or ensuring safe transport. 

   What the University will do: 

  • We will undertake a conduct risk assessment (Student Conduct Risk Management Policy (PDF, 138 KB) in cases where: 
    
    • You do not wish to involve the police but would like to ask the University to take action. 
    • You have reported the incident to the police (regardless of the outcome).
  • We will review your request for the case to be reviewed under the University’s disciplinary code Non-Academic Misconduct Policy (PDF, 231 KB) and Code of Student Conduct (PDF, 256 KB). This is a separate process to the conduct risk assessment and one which investigates breaches of the University’s code of conduct.
  • We will follow the Universities UK guidance on how to handle alleged student misconduct which may also constitute a criminal offence, also known as the Pinsent Masons Guidance (PDF).
  • We can facilitate your contacting the Police and support you through the process, should you wish to follow this route.  We will not report the incident/s to the Police without your permission, however we may in exceptional circumstances exercise our right to pass information to the Police where there is believed to be a continuing risk to you or to others. 
  • We can arrange emergency accommodation:  
    • During work hours call +44 (0)1334 46 2020 and ask to speak to a Student Services Manager. 
    • At night and over the weekend call +44 (0)1334 47 8999 and ask to speak to Student Services. 

• Reporting to the police

  A report can be made through the Police Scotland website by: 

  • by submitting this form, via the Reporting a Hate Crime page.
  • contacting 101 to report non-emergency matters and general enquiries or by calling 999 in an emergency. 

  If you make a report to the Police, you can ask for someone from the University to accompany you.   Student Services will support you through this process. 

  The Police are committed to providing a sensitive service which takes account of the trauma of sexual violence. To learn more about how Police Scotland respond to reports of sexual misconduct, see the document on information and help after rape and sexual assault (PDF). 

  If you contact the Police regarding a sexual misconduct report: 

  • An initial report will be taken - you can ask to speak to a female or male officer and can take someone with you for support. 
  • If you report a sexual offence the police may wish to seize clothing and other items relevant to the police investigation. 
  • A Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO) will be assigned to you. This is a specialised officer who is trained in discussing sexual incidents and has insight into the impact that trauma can have on a person. 
  • A witness statement will be taken and a medical examination can be arranged where appropriate. 
    Police Officers will carry out detailed enquiries with any potential witnesses and interview the person responsible. On the conclusion of the police investigation:  
    
    • If there is insufficient evidence, the case will not be reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and you will be informed of this. 
    • If there is sufficient evidence, the Police will send a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service who will make a preliminary decision on the case. 
      Police Scotland will ensure you have the opportunity to obtain support from appropriate external services, for example Rape Crisis. 

  Please note: if, at a later date, you do not want to go ahead with a criminal case, your wishes will be taken into account, however the police may continue with the investigation. 

  Further information: 

  The NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) can provide information and support following a rape or sexual assault. 

  SARCS might also be able to arrange a forensic medical examination (FME). If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted in the last 7 days and you’re not sure if you want to report this to the police, you can self-refer to SARCS where a FME can be arranged. Any evidence collected can then be stored for 26 months in case you decide you want to report to the police at a later date. If after 26 months you choose not to report to the police, the evidence will be destroyed. 

  To find out more information or to self-refer to SARCS, please call 0800 148 88 88. This phone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and calls are free from landlines and mobiles. 

  Further information can be found on the SARCS website. 

• Making an anonymous report

  If you choose not to provide your name or contact details, this may constrain the University's ability to take any action, and we will not be able to contact you to offer advice or support or provide a progress update on the case. The relevant team will assess the information provided to determine whether any action could put you, the reporting person, or others at risk. Based on this, a decision will be made in relation to the best course of action. 

  To make an anonymous report: 

  • Submit a report online to the University. 
  • If you are making an anonymous report about a crime, you can also contact CrimeStoppers by submitting an online report or by calling +44 0800 555 111. 

  If you prefer to remain anonymous to the University, you can seek advice and support from an external agency. Student Services are also available to support you.