Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination
Through our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, DCU aims to create a work and study environment that is inclusive at all levels and embraces and celebrates our visible and invisible differences. This concept of fundamental equality within our University community is central to the University’s ethos.
All staff and students of the University should be aware that all forms of harassment, bullying, or discrimination are unacceptable and that everyone has a duty to behave in an acceptable and appropriate manner that demonstrates dignity and respect.
Bullying, discrimination, and harassment may not always be intentional, but is always unacceptable, whether intentional or not. Differences in individuals’ attitudes, backgrounds, or cultures can mean what is perceived as bullying and harassment by one individual may not seem so to another. This Dignity and Respect at Work and Study Policy sets out DCU’s commitment to the promotion of a university that recognises and respects individual differences and that rejects harassment or bullying as destructive to the recipient, the harasser or bully, and the University.
Dignity and Respect Policy Toolkit to help students, staff, and third parties deal with a disclosure, a report, or seek support.
DCU respects the human rights and dignity of all members of the DCU Community. DCU believes that a diverse community is among a university’s greatest strengths. An inclusive university environment enhances the living, learning, and working experience for all members of the University community. The purpose of the DCU Dignity and Respect at Work and Study policy is to;
- help to support all members of the University community to understand that bullying and harassment are unacceptable, that such behaviour will be challenged and that disciplinary action may be taken;
- help to support all members of the University community to be aware of behaviour that may constitute bullying and harassment and their responsibilities for avoiding and/or preventing such behaviour;
- as much as possible help prevent acts of harassment, discrimination, exclusion, unfair treatment, bullying and demeaning behaviours;
To ensure the University can prevent and respond to incidents, it is important to have transparent procedures and to have adequate and accessible mechanisms to handle bullying, discrimination, or harassment effectively. Additionally, they enable complaints of alleged bullying and harassment to be thoroughly investigated in a manner that recognises the sensitivity of the issues raised, maintains appropriate confidentiality, and protects the rights of the parties involved.
REPORT
DCU Dignity and Respect Allies
To chat with someone in confidence about your experience, contact a Dignity and Respect Ally. They will be able to advise you on options available for reporting an incident or offering initial support. DCU has many supports available and can refer you to the correct support needed. We want to ensure you have a positive student experience and talking to someone can be the first step to dealing with a situation.
To contact an ally, email Student Report and you will referred to a support meeting or contact an Ally directly. The list of staff can be found in the accordion section below.
SPEAK OUT
The Speak Out tool enables you, as a member of our University community to anonymously disclose incidents of unacceptable behaviour such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct in a way that is safe and secure. As Speak Out is completely anonymous, the University will have no way to identify or make contact with any individual who chooses to submit a report.
To anonymously report an incident please access the Speak Out Tool. (Note: If you would like to preview the questions involved in reporting an incident anonymously you can click through the questions in the tool, but please do not click submit unless you wish to go ahead and report an incident).
ILLEGAL CONTENT
Hotline.ie is the Irish national reporting centre where members of the public can securely, anonymously, and confidentially report concerns in respect of illegal content online.
SELF HELP
Sometimes you may want to read what your options are yourself before you speak to a member of staff. In DCU we have a number of student policies to protect students during their studies. Below you can find the Dignity and Respect policy and student procedures that can be read in your own time. If you want to report or seek support for an incident, contact Student Report.
Dignity and Respect Student Procedures
SUPPORT
Incidents of bullying, harassment, or discrimination can have a negative impact on physical and psychological wellbeing. In the long term it can have a knock-on effect on academic studies and some students may withdraw from student life. Talking to a student support professional can help a student deal with the emotional impact so that they can continue to engage in university life and have a positive student experience.
If you are being bullied, you may experience:
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Emotional distress, sadness and tearfulness
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Frustration and high levels of anger
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Shame, embarrassment and self-blame
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Damage to physical and emotional well-being
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Reduced self-esteem, lack of confidence and depression
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A sense of fear
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Helplessness
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Reduced academic performance, particularly if you are not feeling safe in college
Ref: Spunout.ie
DCU Student Support Services
DCU Student Advice and Learning Skills Centre
| Name | Role | Department |
| Annabella Stover | Deputy Director of Student Support | Student Support & Development |
| Caroline Bowe | Student Support Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Dr. Claire Bohan | Dean of Students | Student Support & Development |
| Colette Keogh | Senior Access Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Deirdre Moloney | Student Policy Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Hazel Moloney | Mature Student Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Jaiee Ajit Kolwankar | Occupational Therapist | Student Support & Development |
| Maree Ralph | Student Support Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Margaret Lamont | Disability Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Niamh Murtagh | Health & Wellbeing Promotion Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Paul O'Brien | GAA Development Officer | Sport and Wellbeing |
| Podge Sheehan | Head of Leadership and Student Engagement | Office of Student Life |
| Semra Abdulahovic | Senior Student Support Officer | Student Support & Development |
| Siobhan Byrne | Head of Clubs and Societies | Clubs and Societies, OSL |
| Karl Ormsby | President Student Union | DCU Student Union |
| Dr. Úna Redmond | Director of Office of Student Life | Office of Student Life |
| Yvonne McGowan | Senior Sports Development Officer | Sport and Wellbeing |
A disclosure can happen anywhere at any time and to anyone. It is normal to feel that you do not know what to do if someone discloses an incident of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. If you have recently received a disclosure and want to ensure the student feels heard and is safe, the following advice will be of help to you now.
How to Respond to Cyberbullying
(Ref - National Youth Council of Ireland)
Don’t Reply |
You may really want to but do not rise to it and don’t reply to messages from someone who is bullying you. They may move on if they don’t get a reaction. |
Save the Evidence |
Take a screenshot as proof and save it. |
Report or Block |
You can block people from contacting you. You can also report the person. Phone companies, social media companies, and internet service providers provide advice on how to block and report. If the content is illegal, the Gardai also receives reports and can assist with the response. |
Get Help |
Get help from a student support professional. There are dedicated Dignity and Respect Allies to advise you on your options for reporting incidents or seeking support. |
Go Offline |
Switch off or take a break from being online and talk to someone who can help. |
Change Contact Details |
Changing the phone number, passwords or contact details can be a big step but sometimes it can be an effective way to stop the behaviour. Restricting who has access to them can be useful for a period of time particularly if they are trying to identify who is the perpetrator. |
Update Settings |
Ensure security settings are private on all platforms. |
TiLT e-Module for Diversity and Inclusion
TiLT's University Game is a role-playing game that explores diversity and inclusion in higher education. Play from the perspective of Anu and Mike as they navigate their first year of college in Ireland. Learning outcomes include the following;
- Understand how identities shape our social interactions.
- Recognise some forms of gender, racial, and ethnic bias.
- Develop insight into the impact of microaggressions.
- Reflect on your role in making the campus more inclusive.
TiLt is available to all DCU students. To complete the e-module, log on to Loop and click on your dashboard.
Be Safe Online
Be Safe Online is the government’s campaign to highlight ways to help you stay safe online. Their webpage provides access to a wide range of Online Safety resources, to support online safety for all.