Keeping safe

If you have suffered physical or emotional harm, property damage, or economic loss as a result of a crime, this is what a victim of crime is defined by.  You are entitled to receive support either through the police or local authority.  This website is a confidential, free and independent charity where you can seek further assistancehttps://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision.  If you find yourself carrying out work isolated from your colleagues with no assistance.  https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/ website gives advice and guidance on precautions you and your employer can take to mitigate risks associated with lone working.https://www.suzylamplugh.org/

Venturing out alone can be a daunting experience for some and become a source of intimidation.  Here is a website with handy tips on how to venture out safely and enjoy the time outhttps://www.wikihow.com/Be-Confident-and-Safe-when-Going-Out-Alone

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace or learning environment. Sexual harassment does not always have to be specifically about sexual behaviour or directed at a specific person. For example, negative comments about women as a group may be a form of sexual harassment.Sexual harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which:

• Violates your dignity
• Makes you feel intimidated degraded or humiliated
• Creates a hostile or offensive environment

You don’t need to have previously objected to someone’s behaviour for it to be considered unwanted

What’s the difference between Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault?

Sexual harassment is a broad term, including many types of unwelcome verbal and physical sexual attention. Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behaviour, often physical, that occurs without the consent of the victim. Sexual harassment generally violates civil laws—you have a right to work or learn without being harassed—but in many cases is not a criminal act, while sexual assault usually refers to acts that are criminal.

Help and support available:

https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/sexual-harassment-at-work-law/

https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/find-a-rape-crisis-centre/

 

Consent means giving permission for something to happen or agreeing to do something and being comfortable with that decision. It doesn’t matter what gender you are, or whether you’re straight, gay or bisexual, if you’re planning to do anything sexual then both of you must give consent.  Consent has to be given freely and no one can be made to consent to something. It’s not consent if someone does something because they feel like they have to. You can also never assume that someone is giving consent – you have to be sure.  Saying nothing does not imply consent!You need to take responsibility for seeking consent from your partner every time, as people can change their mind at any point, even during sex. Just because someone consented to something once, it still means you have to ask again as they could feel differently from last time. Also, consent to one sort of sexual activity does not mean consent to everything.

https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/consent/what-is-consent/

Non-consensual condom removal during sexual intercourse – put simply that means taking it off or deliberately damaging it midway through sex without telling the other person.  If someone consents to a sexual act using contraception, and the terms of that agreement are changed mid-act by one party, then that’s a sexual offence.  As of 2020, stealthing is punishable as a form of sexual violence

 

Support available:

https://www.gov.uk/report-rape-sexual-assault

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/P2063_06-Rape-and-sexual-assault_women-leaflet-PMS-268-12042021.pdf

 

Sexting is when someone sends or receives a sexually explicit text, image or video.  This includes sending ‘nude pics’, ‘rude pics’ or ‘nude selfies’.  Pressuring someone into sending a nude pic can happen in any relationship and to anyone, whatever their age, gender or sexual preference.It’s easy to think that everybody is sending these nude selfies – they’re not!  Putting pressure on someone to send a nude pic, or sharing someone’s picture without their permission, even if it’s a friend and they say it’s just banter is wrong and even illegal

What does the law say?

Taking, possessing or sharing a sexually explicit picture or video of someone under 18 is against the law. It doesn’t matter if they gave you permission, someone else sent it to you, you’ve never met them before, you are under 18 too or it’s a selfie. You and anyone else involved could be investigated by the police, and this could even affect your future education and employment.

If you are over 18 and you send an image of yourself to someone who is also over 18, this is not a crime. However, you should consider the other consequences of sending and sharing images.

https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/sexting/what-is-sexting/

Gaslighting is a form of ongoing psychological abuse and control whereby the manipulator makes the victim question and doubt themselves, their perception, memories, self-image and sanity.  The term derives from a 1944 film ‘Gaslight’ starring Ingrid Bergman. Bergman’s character marries and mysterious things start to happen to her in her marriage. Her husband convinces her that she is imaging things, when in fact he is scheming with criminal intent. Psychologists describe Gaslighting as a subtle but unhealthy manipulative behaviour. Gaslighting is also a label becoming associated with subtle workplace bullying practices and an employee who is the subject of gaslighting will likely, certainly initially, struggle to understand what is occurring. 

Support:

https://www.mycwa.org.uk/gaslighting

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/domestic-abuse/

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

 

Gaslighting at Work:

https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/gaslighting.html

Bullying and harassment is behaviour that makes someone feel intimidated or offended. It can make you feel frightened, less respected and put down, made fun of or upset. It doesn’t have to be face to face but can be by letter, email or by phone. It can also be by actions such as being treated less favourably than others when it comes to training or being excluded from social events.Harassment is against the law when it involves protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Those characteristics are:

• age
• sex
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sexual orientation

If you feel you are being treated unfairly, or if you feel uncomfortable at work, you can speak to your tutor or contact one of our safeguarding team. There are also some useful links below to give you more information.

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment – more information on the legal definition (including the different forms of harassment) and what actions you can take.

https://www.acas.org.uk/if-youre-treated-unfairly-at-work/being-bullied – more information on different scenarios, what actions you can take and what your employer must do.

https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/about.html – information site and a helpline where you can speak to someone about your concerns. They have been running since 2003 and deal with both adult and child bullying issues.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/advice-for-life-situations-and-events/support-for-workplace-bullying/ – useful advice including the effect bullying can have on your mental health and wellbeing.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/discrimination-at-work/checking-if-its-discrimination/if-youre-being-harassed-or-bullied-at-work/ – guidance on how to check if you are being discriminated against and advice on what to do.

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/emp-law/harassment/factsheet#gref – a comprehensive guide to bullying and harassment in the workplace with information on what employers should do to address issues.

Find out how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.  Domestic abuse can take various forms including

• coercive control and ‘gaslighting’
• economic abuse
• online abuse
• threats and intimidation
• emotional abuse
• sexual abuse

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/

Mental health is something that is often talked about and it refers to your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Sometimes people can feel overwhelmed and their mental health can deteriorate but talking and reaching out to people is key. Mental health can refer to issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bipolar and more. If you are feeling overwhelmed, then there is always someone you can reach out to in a crisis.https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

https://hubofhope.co.uk/

CALL SAMARITANS 24 HOURS A DAY ON: 116 123 (freephone)

If you want to speak to someone at college, our mental health first aider is Bev McMillan (phone number).

For non-emergency information on mental health, please visit the health and wellbeing page on our website

Prevent is the government initiative to reduce the threat of terrorism by increasing awareness of extremism and terrorist activities. Extremist organisations attempt to draw people into activities by radicalisation which can lead to violence and threats to society. The government defines extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs. They also include in their definition of extremism, calls for the death of members of the armed forces, whether in this country or overseas. Extreme right-wing organisations and Islamic fundamentalists are examples of organisations which actively target individuals for radicalisation.Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism and extremism and, in some cases, to then participate in terrorist groups. The process of radicalisation is different for every individual and can take place over an extended period or within a very short time frame.

As a training provider, we are here to support our students and our employers, if they have any concerns about any individuals, or situations.  You can speak to your tutor or our safeguarding team but if you would like some more information see below:

https://actearly.uk – information on how to spot the signs of radicalisation and what to do if you are worried about someone who could be at risk. Useful links to a range of other partner organisations who offer support and guidance.

https://www.ltai.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LTAI_prevent.pdf – a simple poster which summarises the aims of Prevent and gives contact numbers if you are concerned about someone

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterised by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long-lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviours seen in people who use drugs. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop.  The path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs. But over time, a person’s ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised. Seeking and taking the drug becomes compulsive. This is mostly because of long-term drug exposure on brain function. Addiction affects parts of the brain involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and control over behaviourhttps://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addiction-getting-help/

Alcohol dependency can be a serious form of drinking problem and describes a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink.Drinking plays an important part in the day-to-day life of alcohol dependent people, often meaning drinking in larger quantities leading to building up a physical tolerance or experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they stop.

There are varying degrees of alcohol dependency, and they don’t always involve excessive levels of drinking. If you find that you ‘need’ to share a bottle of wine with your partner most nights of the week, or always go for a few pints after work, just to unwind, you’re likely to be drinking at a level that could affect your long-term health.

You could also be becoming dependent on alcohol. If you find it very difficult to enjoy yourself or relax without having a drink, you could have become psychologically dependent on alcohol. Physical dependence can follow too, that is your body shows withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, shaking and nausea, when your blood alcohol level falls.

The link below gives more details of the common signs of alcohol dependency, the physical and psychological effects and where to get help

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-dependence

County Line is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas (within the UK), using dedicated mobile phone lines. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move (and store) the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.The dealers will frequently target children and adults – often with mental health or addiction problems – to act as drug runners or move cash so they can stay under the radar of law enforcement.

People exploited in this way will quite often be exposed to physical, mental and sexual abuse, and in some instances will be trafficked to areas a long way from home as part of the network’s drug dealing business.  As can be seen in child sexual exploitation, children often don’t see themselves as victims or realise they have been groomed to get involved in criminality.

https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/drug-trafficking/county-lines

If you are faced with being homeless, there is support available to you.  You will need to contact your local council / authority where you live to assist you in seeking emergency shelter.  These national charities also provide information if you become homeless or are facing homelessness. You can also speak to our Safeguarding team or your tutor.https://centrepoint.org.uk/

https://uk.depaulcharity.org/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/homelessness/

Young carers are individuals under the age of 18 who look after family members or friends who have difficulties with a disability, medical conditions, mental health issues or even drug or alcohol misuse. Support is available across the country to help young carers have access to education and respitehttps://www.carersfirst.org.uk/young-carers/

https://carers.org/help-and-info/carer-services-near-you/2-action-for-family-carers