Talking about your experience can feel daunting but it can also feel very isolating when you are coping with your experience on your own. If you feel able to tell someone, it can often help.
You have a choice about who you tell about your experience.
At LSE, you can choose who you speak to about your experience. We do have staff with enhanced training on handling disclosures. We have our LSE Safe Contacts, and we have our Independent Sexual Violence Support Service, who can both provide a safe and supportive space to speak about your experience.
They will:
- Create a safe environment
Staff will make sure you have a safe, warm and confidential space where you will not be interrupted.
- Explain confidentiality
Other members of the LSE community, family, friends, accommodation providers and employers will not be informed about the incident without your consent unless there is a particular safety or welfare concern.
Where there is a safety or welfare concern, our staff will endeavour to discuss this with you and explain which steps they propose to take. They will keep you updated on any steps taken.
In cases where there is a clear and present danger to your safety, staff may escalate without discussing with you.
- Listen
Staff will listen to you without judgement and without interrogating you. They will not blame you for your experiences.
- Provide support options
You are in control of what happens next. You will be given information about support options and you will be allowed to choose whether or not you want them. The information will be about internal and external specialist services which you may want to engage with, such as LSE's Wellbeing and Counselling Service or the Independent Sexual Violence Support Service. If you decide you would like support from them, staff can help you contact them to make an appointment.
In cases of recent sexual assault and rape, staff will inform you about immediate support that you may want to consider. A guidance note can be found here: Guidance for recent sexual assault and rape - Report + Support - LSE.
- Explain reporting options
Staff will then explain reporting options. They will talk through the various routes to report including:
Anonymous reporting to LSE
Reporting with contact details to LSE
Reporting to the police
If you do want to report, staff will support you to take the next step.
Reporting is your choice, and your support options are not affected by whether you want to report.
To explore all reporting pathways please see here: How to report an incident online.
- Record
Staff will then record a brief, factual, objective and non-judgemental note of what you have told them, as well as any actions that have been taken to support you. They will share this with you to make sure that it is an accurate record.
This record is confidential, and you are entitled to a copy if you would like one. This does not mean you have made a formal report. With your permission it can be shared if you decide to report the incident.
- Give you time
You will be provided with space and time to think through your options for support and reporting. Staff will follow up with you to see if you have any further questions or require further support.
There is no time pressure to engage in support. People engage with support when the timing is right for them.