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Student Support & Wellbeing
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For students

Student Community Induction

Student Community Induction is designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge to prevent, identify, and respond to harassment, hate and sexual misconduct. By promoting a culture of awareness, support, and accountability, we aim to create a safer and more respectful environment for everyone within the university community. 

Student Community Induction is an online, self-paced course, available on Blackboard. All new students are expected to complete the three core modules:

Consent Matters: Boundaries, Respect, and Positive Intervention

Consent Matters covers the areas of consent, communication, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention. It is mandatory for all new students (UGs and PGs) to take this course as part of their induction to the University.

Tackling Harassment & Sexual Misconduct

Building upon ‘Consent Matters’, this module supports an understanding of Harassment, Hate and Sexual Misconduct and explores how active bystanders can look out for friends and peers, building a safer and more inclusive community.

Respect, Values and Behaviour

RVB highlights Durham University’s core values and how they help foster positive behaviours and an inclusive culture in which students and staff feel valued and respected, regardless of their background or identity.

 

SMV Awareness Induction Talks

Each College delivers this talk to all new starters during Welcome and Orientation Week, covering core messages around understanding consent, the Sexual Misconduct and Violence Policy and information on where students can access support.

Active Bystander Course Durham

This 2-hour interactive course is delivered by trained peer-facilitators. The aims of the course are to educate students on understanding sexual misconduct and violence and the concept of bystander intervention; to help students empathise with others regarding the impact of these issues; to equip students to be able to identify problematic situations (focusing on consent, coercion and control) and intervene appropriately; and to empower students by encouraging them to consider their role in shaping their community. Contact student.cases@durham.ac.uk for more information.

Consent Workshops

This 1-hour interactive course is delivered by trained peer-facilitators and is organised by Colleges. The aim of this course is to learn about the importance of sexual consent, combat rape culture and victim-blaming and learn how to create a positive consent culture.

Consent Workshop - Train the Trainer

This course equips peer facilitators with the skills to successfully facilitate Consent Workshops in Colleges. Contact student.cases@durham.ac.uk for more information.

Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence as a Student Leader

The aim of this 90-minute session is to equip Peer Supporters and Student Leaders with skills to respond appropriately to peer disclosures of sexual misconduct and violence and to know how to signpost to appropriate support and practice self-care. This is delivered as part of the Peer Supporter training or can be delivered to student groups/societies upon request. Contact student.cases@durham.ac.uk for more information.

Safeguarding

The University has an online training module for staff and students. The training provides a basic understanding of safeguarding and the knowledge required to respond appropriately to any concerns. Information about the training available can be found on this page.