Skip to main content
Student Support & Wellbeing
Two female students sit in a reception area. It is brightly lit, with a vivid blue wall, orange and blue furniture, green plants and looks inviting.

Our campaign: 'it's never just'

We’ve all heard it before, it was “just a bit of fun”, “just flirting”, “just something that happens” ...but when someone feels scared, intimidated, humiliated, threatened, pressured or silenced, it’s never acceptable and it’s never just.

We are confronting unacceptable behaviours, supporting those affected and embedding a culture of respect and safety across our community.
Find out more
Black italic text stating 'it's never just' on a grey background

 

 

University student
We recognise that sexual misconduct and violence are a matter of concern across wider society, as well as impacting university communities. It has no place in Durham.  Our campaign will challenge harmful perspectives that normalise or excuse sexual violence within our community. We are committed to building a culture where sexual violence is never ignored, minimised or accepted and where those affected are supported and empowered to make their own choices about what comes next. 
Professor Karen O’Brien
Vice-Chancellor
University student
I am so encouraged to see the launch of the 'it’s never just' campaign. It is a testament to the hard work of the University to address such a pressing issue on campus and to the thriving collaborative relationship we have developed together. I am hopeful that the campaign will encourage students to become more confident active bystanders and advocates for each other as well as stewarding a culture of accountability.
Abi Taylor
President of Durham Students’ Union
University student
Our 'it’s never just’ campaign is worth celebrating. It addresses and criticises the societal attitudes that excuse perpetrators’ actions, rather than focusing solely on the impacts of sexual misconduct and violence.   This campaign considers the root action causing harm and encourages everyone to drive cultural change. I am pleased to stand with the University in taking sexual violence on campus seriously, ensuring that those affected feel confident to report incidents and to receive the help that they deserve.  It’s never just.
Fran Branon-Higgs
Community Officer, Durham Students’ Union

Our campaign: 'it's never just' 

Developed by students and staff, our campaign – ‘it’s never just’ raises awareness of Sexual Misconduct and Violence and challenges harmful perspectives that can normalise these behaviours and minimise the experiences of victim-survivors. It aims to promote an environment where individuals feel empowered to speak out about sexual violence, and where victim-survivors can access appropriate support while maintaining agency over their own experience.  

Look out for our campaign messages around campus and below.  

 

 

This is the image alt text

 

 

Campaign poster

Sexual Misconduct and Violence has no place in Durham. We are launching a new campaign – ‘it’s never just’. We are confronting unacceptable behaviours, supporting those affected and embedding a culture of respect and safety across our community.

Campaign poster

“It was just a bit of fun.”  

Discriminatory "jokes" often reinforce a culture that normalises disrespect and blurs boundaries. 

They can silence those who experience them, create unsafe spaces, and make people feel exposed or ridiculed.  

Those engaging in behaviours that intimidate, sexualise, or humiliate others aren’t funny. They could face a reprimand, restrictions around campus and even expulsion.  

- it’s never just.

Campaign poster

"I just won't be believed."

Your voice matters. You deserve to be heard, and you will be supported.

We have trained staff who will listen without judgement, respect your experience, and explain the options available to you.

You don't have to go through this alone.

- it's never just.

Campaign poster

"It was just a picture."

Image-based sexual violence violates trust, dignity, and consent. 

Sharing or taking intimate images without permission isn't harmless. It's a deliberate breach of someone's privacy, it's illegal, and it's a breach of University policy. 

It's about more that the picture, it's a means of control and a violation. 

- it's never just.

Campaign poster

"I just didn't want to get involved."

It's easy to feel like you 'didn't know what to do' or it's 'not your business'.

Getting involved doesn't mean confrontation. It can mean checking in with someone, interrupting a situation, or reporting what you saw. 

Your voice can be the one that makes someone feel safe, believed and not alone. 

It's never 'just' someone else's problem.

- it's never just.

 

 

 

 

Information and Support

  • Sexual Misconduct and Violence Homepage

    Find out more about Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response at the University.
    Castle and Cathedral view from Durham Train Station

  • Get Support

    Whether you choose to make a report or not, you are able to access support if you have been subjected to any form of Sexual Misconduct and Violence.
    Support

  • External Resources

    Explore the many external specialist support services that can offer support and advice.
    Two students sit opposite each other at a table. They are inside a modern building with lots of large windows

Sexual Misconduct and Violence Homepage

Find out more about Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response at the University.
Castle and Cathedral view from Durham Train Station

Get Support

Whether you choose to make a report or not, you are able to access support if you have been subjected to any form of Sexual Misconduct and Violence.
Support

External Resources

Explore the many external specialist support services that can offer support and advice.
Two students sit opposite each other at a table. They are inside a modern building with lots of large windows

Disclosure and Reporting

  • Reporting an Incident

    If you are subjected to any form of sexual misconduct and violence, you have reporting options.
    Using laptop and phone

  • Disclosing SMV to the University

    You can disclose an experience of sexual misconduct and violence to trained student support staff in your College or Department.
    Roadmap diagram explaining disclosure process

  • Reporting an Incident

    All staff, students and visitors to our campus are able to use this online tool to report an incident or seek support.
    someone writing in a notepad

Reporting an Incident

If you are subjected to any form of sexual misconduct and violence, you have reporting options.
Using laptop and phone

Disclosing SMV to the University

You can disclose an experience of sexual misconduct and violence to trained student support staff in your College or Department.
Roadmap diagram explaining disclosure process

Report + Support

All staff, students and visitors to our campus are able to use this online tool to report an incident or seek support.
someone writing in a notepad