3.1. Abuse of power is where a position of power or authority is used in an unacceptable manner. This can take various forms and may include, but is not limited to, grooming, manipulation, coercion and pressurising others to engage in conduct they do not feel comfortable with.
3.2. Adult at risk is someone aged 18 years or over who may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves, or unable to protect themself against significant harm or exploitation.
3.3. Close personal relationship excludes intimate relationships, but means a relationship where the nature, content, involvement and/or frequency of interactions and/or communications between a staff member and a student transgress the boundaries of professional conduct or may be reasonably perceived to do so.
3.4. Grooming is when a person builds a relationship with a child, young person or an adult who is at risk so they can abuse them and manipulate them into doing things. The abuse is usually sexual or financial, but it can also include other illegal acts.
3.5. Head of Institution includes Heads of Departments and of other academic Institutions, Chairs of Faculty Boards not divided into Departments, and the administrative Heads of Institution.
3.6. Institution means all academic and academic-related departments, including administrative units, libraries, museums, and any other person sections or units of the University.
3.7. Intimate relationship is a consensual relationship characterised by emotional, physical, and/or sexual intimacy, which may be conducted in person and/or online and/or via electronic or any other form of communication. This includes brief relationships and one-off occurrences, through to marriage or life partnerships, regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
3.8. Member of staff includes any person working within the University under a formal contract of employment or as a casual worker or any person to whom the University offers any of the privileges or facilities normally available to its employees (such as visiting academics) or any individual working within the University under a contract for services and/or in a self-employed capacity. Where postgraduate students work for the University in a teaching, pastoral or supervisory capacity the Policy applies to them in that capacity as members of staff.
3.9. Relevant staff member means a member of staff who has direct or indirect academic responsibilities, or other direct professional responsibilities, in relation to that student. Staff and Students Relationships Guidance Page 4
3.10. Responsibility for a student is defined widely and includes any teaching, professional, pastoral, or administrative responsibility or authority over a student, whether temporary or permanent, whether formally conferred on or voluntarily assumed by the staff member and whether the responsibility arises in a University or a college context. This includes but is not limited to lecturing, teaching classes or seminars, overseeing projects or fieldwork, supervising, and setting and/or marking of examinations or other assessments of any type. It also includes acting as a mentor or college advisor.
3.11. Sexual Misconduct means any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and includes but is not limited to: (i) sexual harassment as defined by section 26(2) of the Equality Act 2010; (ii) assault as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003; (iii) rape as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
3.12. Student includes any person currently studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, or on any course arranged by or through the collegiate University, including visiting and exchange students, applicants, and offer-holders. It includes students from other Higher Education providers who are completing placements at the University. It covers all students who are registered for a course even if their status is suspended but does not include former students who have finished their courses unless they are current applicants or offer holders for another University course.