Harassment at Uni. Advice?

[ClerkMaxwell]

DD is being harassed by the boy in the next door room in halls. Two or three times a week when he comes in late (3am ish) he boots her door and shouts abuse. Calls her a whore and a slag and various other things. No threats (yet). Sometimes his friends are with him.

She complained to warden in the first couple of weeks and he was spoken to but it hasn't stopped. She has halls job and they seem to be implying it's a hazard of the job.

She is finding the sleep interruption hard going and the mysogeny really worrying.

Last night she managed to record what he said plus boyfriend has heard the abuse on a couple of occasions. She spoke to her personal tutor who suggested taking a harassment complaint to the uni court. Her department will support her in this.

Anyone's DC had a similar experience? Did making a formal complaint make things worse. How long do such things take? I worry that this could escalate (DD is a slight 5ft 4). Any advice on making sure she is safe. She asked to move previously but because of job needs to located where she is (polices the common room).

DD and other flatmates made a complaint about another resident in their first year flat for similar behaviour. It was an online form to complete followed by a meeting at which they explained what was going on. The perpetrator was later called in for a meeting but DD never found out what if any punishment was meted out and it dydbtvreally change things much. Luckily lockdown happened not long after so they did t have to endure it much longer.

She should utilise the formal complaints procedure but with the knowledge that she is unlikely to discover what the outcome is unless he tells her. There is a certain element of “it comes with the territory”” in terms of noise (noise cancelling headphones for Xmas??) but she should not have to put up with being frightened.

Thanks for the response. DD has already complained once but not sure it was done formally. I will get her to complain again formally this time. She has until June in this accommodation.

I guess noise cancelling headphones might help. It might not stop him but at least if she isn't woken up she will be less bothered/frightened.

That's horrendous. Sounds like she should call the police saying someone is kicking her door and swearing at her. Is the warden on duty at night? Can she call anyone in security as soon as it happens every time. Its just totally not on

Warden isn't on duty at night but there is central security. Good point about calling security every time. She had been reluctant to do so as it takes them 20 minutes or so to come. Neighbour usually stops after a minute. Maybe security coming round each time would help him understand his behaviour is not on.

Can she move flats? I imagine the Uni must have a duty to keep her safe and free from harassment.

She asked to move early on in the term but they said there was no spare spaces elsewhere but worth asking again. I will add to the list of suggestions.

I would get her to call the police. Every time.

The university have to take this seriously (I speak as recently retired senior academic). She needs to register it formally in as many ways as possible. Including speaking to her personal tutor and her department head and student support. This is something that academic and pastoral departments need to know about, as well as the people in charge of accommodation. There is support out there - it is a case of covering all bases until something is done. I would definitely recommend recording the abuse and getting support from witnesses who will also testify to it. If nothing practical is done she should make it clear that she will be contacting the police.

At the very least they should be moving one of them to other accommodation. Universities are now very concerned about bad optics around these sorts of issues. It needs to be taken high enough up the hierarchy that someone takes responsibility.

Just saw she has informed department. She should follow their advice. The outcome should be to separate them so I would not let fear of his reaction guide her.

I'm a lecturer and my institution has a dignity at work and study policy. I've just looked at it and this would appear to be a case of harassment. I'd strongly suggest that you / she look for something similar online for her institution as it may well begin to affect her performance.

@SchrodingersKitty has good advice and security should be involved, as well as the accommodation management who are clearly failing.

Also, why should she move? She isn't the one causing the problem - they should be moved out of those halls.

She needs to call security each and every single time. She needs to speak to the student services department if the halls are partnered with the university. Her student union might also have good leads. Good luck to her, sounds horribly stressful.

Security. Every. Single. Time. And follow up with the complaints procedure her personal tutor mentioned.

Make a fucking fuss. That's what I'd do. A big loud fuss about it. It's not on. And the uni should tackle this. And if they don't? Police.

Fucking bastard. How dare he.

Surely with sufficient proof, the boy should be kicked off his course.

I'm with @JuneOsborne
I think she/you need to make a big loud fuss about this. It's terrible behaviour and I'm disappointed the uni aren't doing more.

I definitely think she should keep complaining to every department she can and make sure she is following it up in an email so she has the evidence she has reported it.

Is he ok with her at other times?

I agree with calling Security every time

Keep a record of absolutely every time this happens and who you contact

Don't be afraid to go up the chain of responsibility if you find certain people/offices are not helpful.

I made a complaint of harassment at uni a few years ago - I was a mature student. We weren't in halls, it was harassment via calls, texts, stalking etc.

It was dealt with quickly and professionally and I believe the person received a final written warning saying that if there were any further similar incidents he would be kicked out of the uni.

If this is not being taken seriously submit a written complaint cc'ing in senior people, the Dean etc as it's completely unacceptable and must be v frightening for your daughter.

Also, why should she move? She isn't the one causing the problem - they should be moved out of those halls

You're absolutely right. I came back on to say ignore my post, he should be moved.

Thank you everyone.

Update from DD. She has been temporarily moved to a room on another floor of the same building whilst they investigate. I suspect this was a result of her personal tutor getting involved. Even if they offer her a move elsewhere she is still going to make a formal complaint. I think she owes it to other women.

Strange thing is she has hardly spoken to her neighbour. Tried to be friendly in Freshers week as part of her job is to welcome new students but he made it clear he wasn't interested in chatting or joining anything she organised. Hard to understand why all the anger and why towards my DD - other than she is next door. Also odd his friends don't call him out.

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I would definitely advise she makes a formal written complaint- he needs to know this isn't acceptable behaviour and there are consequences.