Pathways

Making a statement

If you decide to report to the University, you will be asked to make a statement of what happened. You will also be asked to provide any evidence of the incident(s). 

Keeping a record of each incident

To help you with this, we recommend that you make a note of what’s happened as soon as possible after the incident(s). If the abuse is ongoing, try to log each instance as it occurs.  

What to include in a record of what’s happened

Include the following:

• Date, time and place of the incident(s)
  
• Details about the perpetrator (e.g. name, ethnicity, appearance, age, clothes, smell)
  
• What the abuse was / what the perpetrator did
  
• Impact of the abuse e.g. on your health, your studies, your relationships 
  

Why keeping a record can be important

Even if you don’t want further action to be taken, keeping a record of what’s happened can be important…  

• You may decide to report in the future – having a record of what’s happened will make it easier to remember.
  
• “Minor”, one-off occurrences can multiply over time into a pattern of abusive behaviour – keeping a record of each instance will help paint a clear picture of what is going on. 
  

Supporting your case

If you decide to report to the University, you will be asked if you can provide any evidence to support your case. There may be evidence that the University is able to access, such as CCTV footage, witness statements, reports from Security or Halls of Residence. There may also be evidence that you are able to provide, such as emails, text messages, social media exchanges, photos etc.

Collecting evidence

• Take photos (e.g. on your phone) of the place where the incident occurred
  
• Take screenshots on your phone of any text messages 
  
• Keep secure any emails or letters or anything else that you think could be used as evidence