About the Service
The Sexual Violence and Misconduct Support Service here at Aberystwyth University is in place to support students who have been affected by any form of sexual misconduct or violence. The service aims to provide a safe, supportive space, in which students can access support, feel heard and consider the options available to them.
The service includes a team of University Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) who are in place to support students, whatever their experience has been. Whether the sexual misconduct or violence has happened here in Aberystwyth or elsewhere or whether recent or sometime in the past.
They will treat every person with sensitivity and respect. Any way you choose to proceed will be fully respected. The team will support you on whatever path works best for you. They will handle your disclosure with confidentiality and will respect your decisions - they are here to listen and support you. They are a survivor-led team, which means they will listen and help you decide what you need going forward. They won’t make you report it to the police if that’s not what you want. They won’t make you share any details if you’re not ready to do that. They can help if you’re struggling with your studies and/or other aspects of your student experience, and can talk through the different support options available to you.
How does the Service Work?
The service is in place to offer non-judgemental support, ensuring that our students have the opportunity to explore options available to them in order that they can make decisions at their pace and which are right for them.
What to expect from the service:
- Listening to your story (as much or as little as you would like to share or feel able to)
- Help you explore the options that are available to you and support you to make an informed decision about what you may wish to do next
- Finding practical solutions to help you study (including support on extensions or special circumstances)
- Facilitating support so that you are kept safe and feel safe whilst at Aberystwyth University.
- Help you put together a plan of where you want to go next, and make sure that it supports your needs
- Helping you through the university complaints and misconduct processes.
How can a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) Help?
An SVLO can listen and discuss the options available to you through external services and within the university. Your appointed SVLO can also liaise with these external services and University staff where required and will provide ongoing 'wrap around' care and support.
You have access to support from an SVLO regardless of whether the sexual violence happened on- or off-campus, or if you were subjected to sexual violence before you came to Aberystwyth.
With your consent, they can help you with:
- Referrals to mental health and medical services
- Academic and accommodation adjustments
- Understanding the reporting options available to you
- Navigating systems and resources within the University
- Signposting support in the local area and online
People react and deal with sexual misconduct and/or violence in many different ways. Any way you choose to proceed will be fully respected.
Confidentiality
As a student support service we work confidentially, meaning we won't share anything that you tell us with your Academic Department, friends, family, or police without your explicit permission. There may be times, such as when a student or someone else is at significant risk of harm, where we need to think about sharing some information, but if this comes up we will discuss this with you first.
