Harassment Advisor Network

Harassment Advisors provide information and guidance to staff and students who have experienced, witnessed or been accused of harassment or bullying behaviour.

The University recommends speaking to a Harassment Advisor to help you decide how you would like to respond. They can help you understand the Harassment Policy and Procedures, explore the options for informal resolution or reporting formally, and access appropriate support. Speaking to a Harassment Advisor does not start a formal process or commit you to taking any action. Support is available whether or not you decide to make a formal complaint.

Harassment Advisors will:

• Listen and provide confidential, impartial support
• Explain relevant University or college policies and procedures
• Help individuals to understand their options for resolving concerns informally and submitting a formal complaint
• Signpost to relevant support services

Conversations with a Harassment Advisor are confidential, unless there is a concern about a serious risk of harm to an individual or others. The Advisor would normally discuss this with you first. The confidentiality policy will be explained at the beginning of the conversation.

To avoid conflicts of interest, a Harassment Advisor can only support one party involved in a case and refer other individuals to an alternative Harassment Advisor or the Harassment Advisory Service at [email protected].

Limitations of the role:

Harassment Advisors cannot:

• Decide whether behaviour constitutes bullying or harassment, including whether behaviour will lead to disciplinary action or does not constitute bullying and harassment
• Initiate disciplinary, grievance or other formal procedures
• Provide legal advice
• Help mediate or resolve issues directly
• Act as a representative or advocate
• Write formal complaints or represent or accompany individuals during formal procedures
• Provide ongoing welfare support

Harassment Advisors support staff and students at the University of Oxford:

• who have experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment.
• who have had an allegation of bullying or harassment made against them.

Individuals concerned about behaviour they feel is inappropriate are also welcome to speak to an Advisor.  

Harassment Advisors are based in departments, faculties and colleges.

Current students and staff with an SSO login can use the Harassment Advisor Network Directory to find an advisor in their department, faculty or college. 

Individuals without an SSO login can contact the Harassment Advisory Service at [email protected]. The service can refer individuals to a Harassment Advisor in their area, elsewhere in the University, or to an identity-specific Harassment Advisor.

Identity-specific Harassment Advisors are available to support both staff and students. These advisors provide the same impartial guidance and support as all Harassment Advisors, but have chosen to disclose aspects of their own identity to help those accessing the service find an advisor with whom they may feel more comfortable speaking with. 

The identity-specific advisor network consists of advisors from the following groups:

• LGBT
• BME
• Disabled
• International and English as a second language
• Trans and gender diverse
• Neurodiverse

Please note not all identity-specific advisors are listed in the Harassment Advisor Network Directory, as some prefer to remain private. If you would like to speak to an identity-specific advisor in one of the groups listed above, you can contact the Harassment Advisory Service at [email protected].