Gender Based Violence
If you need to exit this page quickly, click here to return to Google
Content Advisory: This page relates to forms of Gender Based Violence, including terms such as sexual misconduct and assault. If you would like to access support without reading further, please follow this link for support.
Is it an emergency?
Off Campus: Call emergency services on 999
On Campus: Head directly to Student Information and Welfare for immediate support. Opening hours across our campuses are 08:45 to 16:45, Monday to Friday.
Click here for further Student Information and Welfare contact details
What is Gender Based Violence (GBV)?
Gender-based violence or GBV is a type of violence that is directed against an individual or group of individuals because of their gender, gender identity, or perceived gender. This can include physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual violence, as well as harassment and intimidation. GBV can be perpetrated by individuals or groups of individuals, and it can take many forms, including examples (but not restricted to) the list below:
- Domestic abuse: A pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading, and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, by a partner or ex-partner. It can occur in any relationship and across different demographics.
- Rape and sexual assault: Unwanted sexual acts where someone is forced, coerced, or manipulated into sexual activity without their consent. This includes penetration and other non-consensual sexual contact.
- Sexual harassment: Unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that violates someone's dignity, makes them feel intimidated, degraded, humiliated, or creates a hostile environment.
- Stalking: Repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, or any other behaviour that causes someone to feel fear or distress.
- Commercial sexual exploitation: Involves practices such as prostitution and pornography where individuals are exploited for commercial gain.
Trafficking for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation: The illegal trade of people for sexual exploitation. This includes recruiting, transporting, or harbouring individuals through force, fraud, or coercion. - Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): The non-medical procedure of removing or injuring the external female genitalia. It is a violation of human rights and is illegal in the UK.
- Forced marriage: A marriage where one or both people do not or cannot consent and are coerced into it through pressure or abuse. This is illegal in the UK.
- So-called 'honour-based' abuse: Violence or abuse committed to protect or defend the honour of a family or community, often in response to perceived breaches of cultural or religious norms.
- In-law abuse: Abuse perpetrated by a partner's family members, often involving control, coercion, and manipulation within a familial context.
Physical violence: The use of physical force with the intent to harm or intimidate another person. - Emotional and psychological abuse: Behaviour that undermines a person's sense of self-worth or self-esteem, such as constant criticism, threats, or manipulation.
- Financial abuse: Controlling a person's ability to acquire, use, and maintain financial resources, which can leave them dependent and powerless.
Gender-based violence can have serious and long-lasting effects on individuals, including physical and emotional harm, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recognising and challenging unacceptable behaviour is important for creating a culture of respect and consent on campus.
For more detailed information, refer to Equally Safe strategy. Click here to read the Equally Safe 2023 - preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.
Our Commitment
At Glasgow Clyde College, we believe that all members of our community have the right to study and work without experiencing any form of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), abuse, or harassment. The College understands that anyone can be a victim/survivor of GBV.
We are dedicated to ensuring our campus is a safe space for everyone. The College provides a consistent, caring, and timely response when sexual and GBV incidents occur within our community. We prohibit GBV in any form and will not tolerate such behaviour.
Our Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
At Glasgow Clyde College, we are committed to responding to disclosures of GBV with empathy, confidentiality, and effectiveness. Our response may include:
- Authorising absences for students to attend relevant appointments, such as with support agencies, solicitors, counsellors, or for housing and childcare arrangements, as well as court appearances.
- Implementing temporary changes to attendance, work arrangements, and workload when possible.
- Approving requests for advance payments of bursaries or discretionary support, ensuring that all appropriate financial support is provided. Contact our Student Funding Team for further information.
- Facilitating access to counselling and other internal support services during college hours.
- Reviewing and securing personal information, including temporary or new addresses, bank details, and healthcare information.
- Informing reception and security staff if the alleged perpetrator is known to frequent the college.
- Establishing necessary security measures to ensure your safety while on campus.
- Documenting any threatening or violent incidents involving the perpetrator that occur at the college.
- This list is not exhaustive, and we are open to tailoring other measures to fit your specific circumstances.
We acknowledge that some individuals may be reluctant to disclose or report incidents of GBV due to concerns about past underage drinking or drug use at the time of the incident. In circumstances where there has been a report of any form of GBV, the student who has reported will not face any disciplinary action for breaching policies such as those relating to drug consumption or underage alcohol consumption. This applies where the breach relates to GBV. There may be a very small number of cases when we cannot offer this assurance where such policies relate to fitness to study/practice.
Furthermore, victim/survivors disclosing their experience of GBV will not be subjected to irrelevant questions about their sexual expression, orientation, or past sexual history by College staff or investigators.
We understand the concern about being 'outed' to peers, staff or any person when reporting an incident. Your information will remain confidential and will only be shared with those directly involved in handling your report. You will be informed of any individuals who need to know about your disclosure, such as the Assistant Principal investigating the complaint.
Please be assured that we do not use non-disclosure agreements for students in these situations.
At Glasgow Clyde College, your safety and well-being are our priority. We are here to support you through this process.
Reporting a concern to the College
You can use our Report+Support Tool to report any inappropriate behaviour, whether it is gender-based violence, harassment, or any other form of discrimination.
Report Anonymously: If you prefer not to provide your name.
Provide Contact Details: To be kept informed of next steps and receive the support you need.
Take a look at the College's GBV Policy and corresponding Guidelines here.
In-Person Support
If you are on campus and not in immediate danger, find a safe space. If an incident has just happened try and find somewhere you feel safe. If this isn't possible and you are scared or fearful:
Students: Go directly to Student Information & Welfare to speak with Student Advisers or a Safeguarding Officer
Staff: Contact a colleague or HR Adviser
What if I have been reported or accused?
It can be very distressing if you have been accused of bullying, harassment, or sexual misconduct. All those involved in a complaint will be treated fairly and offered advice and support. You have the right:
- To be informed and kept up to date about the process and procedures.
- To be treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
- To be informed of any concern or allegation against you.
- The opportunity to provide your version of events, and any evidence that you feel is relevant.
- Any decision to be unbiased and made by an impartial party.
Please seek advice and support to understand the process, and the concerns raised.
Please click here for further information.