Assault is never okay. It may help to understand what constitutes as an assault before you decide what to do.
Reporting assault to us allows the University to better understand the student community and consider how this can be improved to be more inclusive.
Take the time to understand what actually assault as this is can help inform your next steps. If you feel you can talk to them about what you have seen, they may be able to describe what has been happening and how it has made them feel.
Think
Report and Support is not an emergency reporting tool.
Are you in immediate danger or seriously injured?
- On Campus, Campus Safety: 0121 359 2922 or via the Safezone app.
- Off Campus, Emergency Services: 999 (or 112 from a mobile). If you can’t speak:
- Listen to the questions from the 999 operator
- Respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can, or by any other means to make yourself heard
- When asked, press 55
- ASV Student Accommodation: if the abuse is happening within Aston Student Village Student Accommodation overnight or during weekends, call Unite’s Emergency Control Centre: 0300 303 1611
If an incident has just happened, try and find somewhere you and they feel safe.
Talk
- Talk to them - If you feel able, talking things over can sometimes be a big help.
- Listen - Stay calm, be empathetic and show your concern. Try to listen without judging or directing.
- Give options - When they have finished talking ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps. Allow the individual to stay in control of the conversation and of their decisions.
- Make sure you look after yourself and if you need support ask for it.
Support
Find out more about support options both within and outside of the University for dealing with assault.
Report
It is entirely within your right to formally report assault. You can formally report something to the University and/or the police if it constitutes a criminal offence.
- Reporting to the University - You can choose to report with your contact details or anonymously using the buttons below.
- Reporting to the police - If you're thinking of reporting to the police, Victim Support has produced information on how this process may work, and what to expect.
- Reporting to Crime Stoppers anonymously - You can call crime stoppers at any point on 0800 555 111 or use the Crimestoppers online form.
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