What support is available if I or someone I know has experienced domestic abuse and gender-based violence?

It is important to remember that it is not your fault. If you experienced something that has had an impact on you, we encourage you to consider accessing support.

Below are a few options that you may wish to pursue - if you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, please call emergency services on 999.

Take the time to read them through so you can make the choice or choices that are right for you. If you're supporting someone through their experience of bullying or harassment, you can also use the same steps to get more advice and guidance.

Our Student Support Team

Our Duty Managers are here to listen. They can provide you with guidance on wider internal and external support available, help you review your options (including reporting an incident to the police, making no formal report, and navigating the student conduct process). They can also provide guidance on academic accommodations, LTU policies and complaint processes.

The quickest way to contact the Duty Manager on shift is to phone or text 07458 109 288. You can also use our reporting tool here or email studentsupport@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Mental Health and Wellbeing Team

The Mental Health and Wellbeing team provide support and a safe space for students. They offer a range of short-term therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Counselling and EMDR.

To speak to the team, you need to complete a referral form, and one of the team will be in touch within 48 hours.

Student Casework

If the instance of bullying or harassment involves another student / students, you can make the Student Casework team aware either by using the reporting tool, or by emailing studentconduct@leedstrinity.ac.uk.

External organisations or charities

There are many organisations that can help with support and guidance, we've put together a list of recommended services that can support you.

Speaking with our People and Culture Team

You can speak with one of our People and Culture team who can talk through what support is available. The team will be able to discuss these issues with you sensitively and without involving your manager initially. In many cases, however, your manager may need to become involved at a later stage, as this is often necessary to investigate or address issues that are raised.

Your Line Manager

It may help to talk to your line manager if you are finding what happened or still is ongoing, is having an impact on your work and/or emotional wellbeing.

Employer Assistance Programme

If you're a member of staff at Leeds Trinity University, you can get additional support through Health Assured, our Employer Assistance Programme (EAP). Health Assured offers a 24/7/365 confidential helpline, Speak Up. This is an impartial service where you can talk to trained advisors about concerns such as bullying, harassment, discrimination and domestic violence.

All calls include a risk assessment, and with your consent, concerns can be referred to the University’s point of contact for further investigation within four hours. Callers can also choose to remail anonymous. Advisors can take appropriate steps to ensure your safety, including signposting to externa organisations such as Refuge, Galop, Southall Black Sisters, Mankind Initiative, and Rights of Women.

Through Health Assured’s digital platform Wisdom, colleagues can access Safe Spaces via the contact page. Safe Spaces is a discreet, secure webpage that provides support, advice, and helpful contact numbers for those experiencing domestic abuse.

External resources

Colleagues can also find links to both the Hub of Hope and Mindwell’s Service Directory on the Mental Wellbeing page on the staff intranet. These are online tools that can help you find local and national mental health and support services. They can be used to identify specialist organisations offering support for issues such as domestic abuse, gender-based violence, hate crimes, and workplace support.

You can filter searches by:

• specific support needs
• type of support (e.g. in-person, online, community groups)
• location

Wellbeing Champions

You can also speak to one of our Wellbeing Champions for peer-to-peer support. Wellbeing Champions are trained colleagues from across the University who can listen, signpost to support, and help promote a safe and inclusive workplace. Their contact details can be found on the Wellbeing Champions page on the staff intranet.

Trade Union Representation

If you are a member of a Trade Union, you may wish to approach them for support and advice.

Domestic Abuse Framework

The Domestic Abuse Framework provides the institution’s commitment to supporting employees affected by domestic abuse by providing access to information, guidance, and resources. It promotes awareness, empowers staff and managers to respond appropriately, and the support the University can offer.