Sexual and relationship harm support

We support students affected by abuse or coercive control within family or intimate relationships, sexual assault, or sexual harassment. Whether these experiences are recent, ongoing, or in the past, we are here to help.

In an emergency, do not submit a referral form. Call the emergency services on 999.

On this page

Our team of specialist case workers provide one-to-one support. Our support will help you understand your options and make the right choices for you.  

Appointments take place from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.  

How to get support for sexual and relationship harm

  1. You can submit a request for support at any time.
  2. A member of the team will be in touch within three working days to arrange an appointment. We can talk to you on MS Teams, over the phone or in person.
  3. If you have a preferred contact method, or any concerns about types of communication, you can tell us about this in the form.

To access our support, you do not need to: 

  • know how to categorise your experience(s) 
  • go into specific detail about what happened 
  • report anything to the university or police 
  • have experienced sexual or relationship harm while a student at the university.

Contact us about our service

Email us at srh-support@bristol.ac.uk if you:

  • are unsure if we are the right team or feel nervous about asking for support
  • would like to ask about the service
  • want to discuss accessibility options
  • are worried about how aspects of your identity may affect your options, such as:
    • faith
    • sexuality
    • culture
  • have any other questions.

We ask that you not use this email to share detailed information about an incident of sexual or relationship harm.

What do we support with? 

These drop downs give definitions of the different types of sexual and relationship harm with which we can offer support.

Threatening or abusive behaviour by a partner, ex-partner or family member. This is also know as 'domestic abuse' and could include:

  • psychological
  • physical
  • financial
  • emotional.

Controlling behaviours used by a partner, ex-partner or family member. These behaviours aim to exert power and control and could include:

  • isolation from family and friends
  • monitoring location
  • humiliating or degrading behaviour or comments
  • controlling finances
  • deprivation of basic needs such as food.   

Any intentional form of sexual violence or abuse that involves physical contact. This is also referred to as sexual misconduct. It could include:

  • touching someone in a sexual manner without consent
  • forcing them to to touch you.

Unwanted sexual behaviour that makes or aims to make someone feel scared, upset, humiliated, or offended. Examples include:

  • sexual gestures
  • unwanted sexual advances
  • sexual innuendos
  • stalking
  • sending sexual content via text or posting online. 

What we don’t support with 

We cannot offer support with:

  • relationship issues or break-ups  
  • family or friendship breakdowns 
  • individuals who:
    • are concerned about their own behaviour towards others
    • have perpetrated sexual or relationship harm
  • individuals who have observed abuse but not been the direct victim of it.

Check the other support available to you through a different service.

External support services

You can also access a range of resources and external services. We have a range of support information focusing on consent.

Our approach to providing support

We:

  • will believe you and be led by you
    • you will be in control of what you do or don’t do next
  • will ensure you are being supported without having to relive your experiences
  • provide a safe space where you will be listened to without judgement
  • treat everyone as an individual and recognise that life experiences and identity can impact on your experiences of sexual and relationship harm
  • work under the Education and Student Success confidentiality statement which means there are times we may be required to share information outside of the service, for example if there was a significant risk to you or another student
    • we will always discuss this with you.

What to expect from our service

We will:

  • discuss immediate safety options with you and help organise these if needed
  • help you navigate options for specialist support, including making referrals where necessary
    • this might include support particular to your needs or identity  if this feels helpful, such as:
      • LGBTQ+ support
      • faith-based support
      • support for male survivors
  • talk through resources and methods to help you understand and process your responses to what has happened
  • help liaise with your school if your studies are being impacted, without disclosing details of your experience
  • support you throughout the reporting process, if you choose to make a report through the university
  • liaise with your Independent Sexual/Domestic Violence Adviser if you have made a report through the police.

Refer someone else to our service

If you are worried about someone, you can refer on their behalf.

How you can support someone

When someone you know shares that they have experienced sexual or relationship harm, it may feel overwhelming. To help your friend feel heard, safe and empowered, you can:

  • listen and believe what they say
  • let them know you are there for them
  • be patient, open-minded, and respect their decisions. Everyone reacts to trauma differently. There is no right way to feel or respond
  • encourage, do not pressure. You can support them in taking steps only when they feel comfortable and ready
  • be honest if you want to seek some advice for them
    • you do not need to keep things to yourself if you are worried they might be at risk.  

Hearing about sexual and relationship harm can be upsetting. To look after yourself too, you can book a wellbeing appointment. 

Sexual assault within the last 7 days

If you have experienced sexual assault of any kind within the last seven days, we urge you to seek support without delay as there is a timeframe within which evidence can be gathered.

Your local sexual assault referral centre (NHS website) offers support 24 hours a day, everyday. They can help you understand your options, including anything which is time-critical, whether you choose to formally report or not.