Speak Out Anonymous Reporting Tool Launching Today

8 Feb 2022

Speak Out is an online tool which provides a safe and secure platform for both staff and students to anonymously report incidents they have experienced or witnessed including bullying, cyber bullying, harassment, discrimination, coercive behaviour, control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape. 

This trauma-informed tool:

• is completely anonymous. We will have no way to identify, respond to or make contact with anyone who makes a report using Speak Out;
• while we cannot directly respond to reports made using the Speak Out tool, the Speak Out website will guide you to relevant supports and advise you of UCC’s formal reporting procedures should you wish to use them :  www.ucc.ie/speakout (available after 10am) 
• the information that we collect through the Speak Out tool will be used to inform policy and identify additional educational initiatives to benefit our entire university community. 

There are three data holders/processors for complaints reporting in the EDI Unit, HR and Student Experience Office. A report will be submitted to UMT on a quarterly basis. Returns will also be made to the HEA on an annual basis as part of our reporting under the Framework on Consent and Ending Sexual Violence in Irish HEIs (2019).

The launch of Speak Out will be communicated via video and emails from the President and Interim Registrar, along with an article on the UCC website. In addition, the launch will be promoted further on UCC social media channels and on screens throughout the campus. 

Key teams who support students and staff are being informed ahead of the launch, along with the Students Union. 

This trauma-informed tool:

• is completely anonymous. We will have no way to identify, respond to or make contact with anyone who makes a report using Speak Out;
• while we cannot directly respond to reports made using the Speak Out tool, the Speak Out website will guide you to relevant supports and advise you of UCC’s formal reporting procedures should you wish to use them :  www.ucc.ie/speakout (available after 10am) 
• the information that we collect through the Speak Out tool will be used to inform policy and identify additional educational initiatives to benefit our entire university community.

There are three data holders/processors for complaints reporting in the EDI Unit, HR and Student Experience Office. A report will be submitted to UMT on a quarterly basis. Returns will also be made to the HEA on an annual basis as part of our reporting under the Framework on Consent and Ending Sexual Violence in Irish HEIs (2019).

The launch of Speak Out will be communicated via video and emails from the President and Interim Registrar, along with an article on the UCC website. In addition, the launch will be promoted further on UCC social media channels and on screens throughout the campus. 

Key teams who support students and staff are being informed ahead of the launch, along with the Students Union. 

For more on this story contact:

EDI Unit

Speak Out | University College Cork (ucc.ie)