Dignity & Respect Support Service

About the Dignity & Respect Support Service

The UCD Dignity & Respect Support Service was launched in November 2021 and officially opened by Minster Simon Harris.

The UCD Dignity & Respect Support Advisers work proactively with employees and students who disclose issues of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, and those who are reported for such issues. The Advisers, who are experienced and trained to support, respond and advise on all reports of a dignity and respect nature, will provide you with a supportive, confidential environment in which to discuss the issues and will support you to make a decision that is right for you and your situation.

As a person making a report, the Dignity & Respect Support Advisers will provide you with support and will work with you in relation to the steps to seeking a solution to the issues you are experiencing, but the decision will rest with you as to how you would like the issue to be resolved. They can also assist you in making a formal complaint, if you wish to do so, and can continue providing that support throughout the formal complaint process which may include accompanying you to investigation meetings and the provision of aftercare support following any informal or formal interventions.

As a person being reported, the Dignity & Respect Support Advisers are also available to support you if you have been accused of carrying out such behaviour. Different Advisers will support the various people involved to avoid a conflict of interest. If a formal complaint has been made, they will provide information as to what this will normally entail. They may accompany you to investigations and also provide aftercare support.

If UCD community members encounter a Dignity & Respect issue, they should email (opens in a new window)respect@ucd.ie to make an appointment with an Adviser. 

Confidentiality Statement

UCD Dignity & Respect Support Advisers are committed at every level and in all aspects of the service they offer, to provide a confidential service to all students, employees and UCD community members who are seeking support. 

Dignity & Respect Support Advisers will keep brief notes of all meetings and interactions with students, employees and UCD community members. This information will be held securely for statistical purposes only. 

Dignity & Respect Support Advisers will treat all information in confidence. No information will be disclosed to anyone outside of the university without the express permission of the individual. Note that there are some exceptional instances where data will need to be shared (see below). 

Confidentiality is a key principle underpinning UCD’s Dignity & Respect Policies. Confidentiality will be observed as far as practicable and in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2003-2018 and the Children First Act, 2015 (which covers child protection). However, confidentiality cannot always be absolute and there are certain circumstances where UCD Dignity & Respect Support Advisers reserve the right to share information should this be deemed necessary. 

These exceptional circumstances include:

• If information is disclosed that may indicate risk to children (under 18). 
• If it is believed there is an immediate or urgent risk to someone’s life or health including that of the person reporting.
• If an individual gives information which indicates that a crime has been committed.
• In circumstances where UCD is requested to provide information about the individual by the Gardaí or any other government or judicial body pursuant to a lawful order of a court or under such other legislative or statutory powers as may be applicable to the body.