Staying Safe
Moving to London can be daunting, which is why we’ve gathered advice on staying safe. London is a safe – and brilliantly inspiring – place to live, study and explore, but like any big city it is advisable to take precautions.
Staying Safe in London
The guidance below offers advice on staying safe, as well as what to do if you are affected by crime and how we can support you.
Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority; we are here for you if you do become affected by crime.
Guidance
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Stay in bright, well-lit, and busy areas
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Plan your route in advance when travelling
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Don’t leave your valuables on show or unattended. Make sure to put them away after using them and try to use your phone minimally in public.
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Keep your items close to you and spread them around your body, especially on public transport where pickpocketing most commonly takes place. This will mean there less chance of multiple valuables being stolen at once.
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Travel with friends and look out for each other
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If you do travel alone, make sure to let friends and family know you are going out and when you’ll be back.
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Your ability to assess risk is compromised by alcohol and drug use. Keep track of your consumption and keep your drink in sight.
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If you are a victim of crime, don’t confront the perpetrator or do anything to put your own safety at risk.
For further guidance, see the Met Police’s guidance on staying safe
What to do if you are a victim of crime
Should you be a victim of crime, we are here to support you.
If you are close to King Charles Court, the Laban Building, or Laurie Grove, visit the reception areas where you will be able to get assistance.
You can also get in touch with student services at SSE@trinitylaban.ac.uk.
Emergency Contacts
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Call 999 in an emergency to request an ambulance, fire brigade or the police
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For non-urgent crime, dial 101 to be put in contact with your local police station
Sexual Violence
The guidance below offers advice on what to do if you are affected by sexual violence, and how we can support you.
You can read our Policy on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct here
What is sexual violence?
What is sexual violence?
Sexual Violence has a very broad definition, including but not restricted to stalking, sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, stealthing, childhood sexual abuse, sexual abuse through technology, trafficking, forced prostitution, incest, intimate partner sexual violence, drug facilitated sexual violence, sexual exploitation, institutional sexual violence, professional sexual exploitation, FGM, pornography are all forms of sexual violence.
Sexual violence can be committed by a stranger, but more often it’s by someone known and even trusted. It can happen to anyone, and it can never be justified; there is no context in which it is acceptable.
If you have experienced sexual violence or are unsure if your experience is legally classified as sexual violence, please reach out to our first responders. Their contact details can be found under ‘Support at Trinity Laban’ on this page.
What is sexual harassment?
The Equality Act 2010 says someone sexually harasses another person if they:
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Engage in unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and
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The conduct has the purpose or effect of either violating the other person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for them.
This unwanted sexual conduct can happen in person, on the phone, by text or email, or online. Both the harasser and the victim or survivor can be of any gender.
Sexual harassment includes a really wide range of behaviours, such as:
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Sexual comments or noises – for example, catcalling or wolf-whistling.
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Sexual gestures.
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Leering, staring or suggestive looks. This can include looking someone up and down.
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Sexual ‘jokes’.
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Sexual innuendos or suggestive comments.
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Sexual requests or asking for sexual favours.
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Sending emails or texts with sexual content – for example, unwanted ‘sexts’ or ‘dick pics’.
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Sexual posts or contact on social media.
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Intrusive questions about a person’s private or sex life.
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Someone discussing their own sex life.
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Commenting on someone’s body, appearance or what they’re wearing.
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Spreading sexual rumours.
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Standing close to someone.
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Displaying images of a sexual nature.
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Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature – for example, brushing up against someone or hugging, kissing or massaging them.
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Stalking.
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Indecent exposure.
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Taking a photo or video under another person’s clothing – what is known as ‘upskirting’.
What is consent?
Consent means that both people in a sexual encounter must agree to it, and either person may decide at any time that they no longer consent and want to stop the activity.
Consenting to one behaviour does not obligate you to consent to any other behaviours. Consenting on one occasion also does not obligate you to consent on any other occasion.
Consenting means only that at this particular time, you would like to engage in that particular sexual behaviour.
Urgent Support and Advice
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, know that it is not your fault, you are not to blame, and we are here to support you.
Although it is up to you how to proceed, there are certain time constraints that you should keep in mind:
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If you suspect you were given any type of drug, it is best to be tested within 24 hours
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If you would like HIV prophylaxis, the medication should be started within 36 hours
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If you want emergency contraception, the medication should be started within 72 hours
If you need urgent medical care or attention, call 999 and ask for an ambulance, or go straight to your nearest A&E.
You can find more health information that might be helpful on the Rape Crisis website
Referrals
There are two main types of service which can support survivors of sexual violence:
a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA).
SARCs
A Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides services to survivors of rape or sexual assault regardless of whether the survivor chooses to report the offence to the police or not. They are designed to be comfortable and multi-functional, providing private space for interviews and examinations, and some may also offer counselling services. SARCs have specialist staff that are trained to help you make informed decisions about what you want to do next. It is recommended that the survivor goes with a friend the process can take a long time.
Our nearest Local SARC: Haven Whitechapel 020 7247 4787
ISVAs
An Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) is trained to look after a person’s needs, and to ensure that they receive care and understanding. ISVAs will help them understand how the criminal justice process works, and will explain things, such as what will happen if they report to the police, and the importance and process of forensic DNA retrieval. An ISVA is there to provide information only so that they can make the right decision. By contacting them, they are not expected to report any offence to the police.
Our nearest local ISVAs:
For women and girls:
ISVA Service at RASASC Rape Crisis South London, with 3 ISVAs
Telephone: 0208 683 3311
Email: ISVA@rasasc.org.uk
Client Group: Women and girls aged 13+
Area covered: South London boroughs
For men and boys:
Contact Name: Alan Robertson, Male ISVA at SurvivorsUK
Telephone: 07496 287 527
Email: isva@survivorsuk.org
Area Covered: London
Client Group: Male survivors over the age of 18
Under 18s
Please remember that if you are under 18 the NSPCC will also have to be contacted. In this case information may be passed on without consent.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Support at Trinity Laban
When you report a matter of sexual harassment or violence to us, we will be guided by you and the information you hare with us in considering next steps. By reporting an incident, you are not committing yourself to any particular course of action. You do not have to rush into any decisions, you can take time to think about what will work best for you.
You can either contact one of our first responders listed below or
Complete the Anonymous Reporting Form
James Hitchins
Head of Student Services & Accessibility
J.Hitchins@trinitylaban.ac.uk
020 8305 4418
Sarah Hall
Senior Counsellor
S.Hall@trinitylaban.ac.uk
020 8305 3884
Jennifer Asare
Student Adviser Dance
J.Asare@trinitylaban.ac.uk
020 8305 9342
Molly Smyth
Student Adviser Music
m.smyth@trinitylaban.ac.uk
020 8305 4414
Erin Sawicka
Student Services Administrator
e.sawick@trinitylaban.ac.uk
020 8305 4440
Any information you share with us will be treated as confidential. There may be circumstances when we are required by law to disclose information that you have shared, for example, if you are in immediate danger, or if a child or vulnerable adult is at risk. If this is the case, we will always give a full explanation for why this is necessary before doing so.