Sexual misconduct is any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and includes (but isn't limited to) sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape.
AUB recognises that incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct take place across wider society and within the university sector, including within AUB’s community. AUB also recognises that anyone can be subjected to sexual misconduct, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, relationship status, sex, sexual orientation, or any other facet of their identity.
AUB will support any member of its community who has been subject to harassment or sexual misconduct, and will investigate any report of harassment or sexual misconduct by any student or member of staff where there are grounds to do so.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment refers to behaviour of a sexual nature that is uninvited and unwelcomed (even if there has been some previous relationship). Whether or not the harassment is intended to be offensive is irrelevant, the behaviour is unwelcome if judged as such by the recipient. A single incident or persistent behaviour can amount to harassment. Sexual harassment does not necessarily occur face to face and can be in other forms, including but not limited to online, pictures, written formats or texts.
Sexual Assault
A person commits sexual assault if they intentionally touch you, the touching is sexual and you do not consent. It involves all unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature and ranges from pinching, embracing, groping and kissing, to rape and serious sexual assault which involves penetration without consent.
Rape is defined as the intentional penetration of another person's vagina, anus, or mouth with a penis, without that person's consent.
Consent - A person consents if they agree by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
- Freedom - A person must be able to make a choice without being constrained.
- Capacity - A person can only consent if they have the capacity to make a free and informed decision. A person cannot consent if they are incapacitated by alcohol or drugs, are under the legal age of consent (16 in most parts of the UK), or are being threatened, coerced, or fear harm.
Further information regarding these criminal offences this can be found on Dorset Police website.
Sexual misconduct would be a breach of the AUB Student Code of Conduct and the Dignity at Work policy.
For more information regarding AUB’s policies:
·Student Services: Sexual Misconduct,
·AUB Sexual Misconduct Commitment,
·AUB Student Disciplinary Policy