LSBU help and advice

LSBU will support you by listening to you, treating you sensitively and with respect and providing or signposting further support that you may need.

The Student Wellbeing Team offer confidential services to students, unless, in exceptional circumstances, it is deemed there is a danger to yourself or to others, or if there is a legal duty to report.

Report and Support

This site offers you a point of contact to report incidents and access support in relation to sexual violence. If you use the reporting system you are not committing to any specific course of action, but you are letting us know that something has happened to you, and you want to access advice and guidance on what to do next.

The online reporting form and email address is monitored by a small group of specially trained staff. Once you have reported an ‘Advisor’ will make contact with you, and talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.

Making a formal complaint - reporting to the University

One of the options we will talk to you about is making a formal complaint if another student or member of staff at LSBU was involved. LBSU will consider whether it is appropriate to act under the student or staff disciplinary procedure.  You can do this by completing a Disciplinary Incident Report form and emailing it to studisc@lsbu.ac.uk. The procedure can be found here.

If a police investigation or criminal proceedings are taking place LSBU will not normally carry out its own investigation until the criminal process is complete. This is because there is a high risk that a LSBU investigation could compromise any police investigation or criminal proceedings.

Supporting you in your studies.

If you have experienced sexual violence, you may need help and support in continuing your studies. We can discuss with you any reasonable adjustments or breaks that may be needed from your studies.

Reporting to the police

You can report incidents of sexual assault to LSBU, to the police or to both, or you may decide not to report the incident at all.

It is important that it is your decision to report and you don’t have to take any action you don’t wish to.

There is no time limit on reporting sexual violence; you can go to the police at any time after the crime has taken place. The Metropolitan Police website provides further information on reporting to the police: https://www.met.police.uk/  
 
If you are thinking of reporting to the police, you can access confidential support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA). ISVAs are independent from the police, and can provide practical and emotional support, helping you to make informed decisions 
You can refer for ISVA support via the following – 
 
 

Important time frames you should be aware of

It is crucial you think about keeping any evidence, especially if you decide, now or later, to report to the Police.

The Havens can help you to do this in a safe and confidential way until you have decided what you want to do next.

Timeframes relevant to incidents of sexual violence.
  • If you suspect you were given any type of drug, it is best to be tested within 24 hours.
  • If you want emergency contraception, the medication should be started within 72 hours.
  • If you would like HIV prophylaxis, the medication should be started within 72 hours.
  • Forensic evidence can be collected up to 7 days after the assault

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There are two ways you can tell us what happened