Steps we take to protect students

We’re committed to protecting students from conflicts of interest and abuse of power that could arise from intimate relationships with staff.

We strongly discourage personal relationships between staff and students where a power imbalance exists, due to potential conflicts of interest and risks to professional integrity.

Professional boundaries and supportive engagement

While CUC strongly discourages personal (including intimate) relationships where there is a power imbalance, this policy does not prevent staff from engaging in appropriate professional, pastoral, or academic relationships with students within professional boundaries.

For example, physical contact may be necessary in certain academic contexts, such as demonstrating physiotherapy techniques, or personal connection may develop through roles such as personal tutoring or counselling.

At the same time, CUC is mindful that emotional intimacy could also arise through grooming behaviours that constitute or result in abuse of power. Clear expectations around these boundaries are communicated through training and guidance to ensure safe, professional, and supportive interactions with students.

What’s Not Allowed

Academic staff and students: No intimate relationships between any academic staff and students
Support staff and students: No relationships between support staff and students they work with
Supervisory relationships: Strict prohibition between supervisors and their students
Assessment relationships: No relationships between staff involved in assessment and students being assessed

Pre-existing Relationships

If a relationship existed before someone became a student or staff member:

It must be declared immediately to line management
Alternative arrangements will be made for teaching, assessment, and support
The situation will be regularly reviewed
Clear professional boundaries must be maintained

Reporting Concerns

Students are encouraged to report and seek support for any experiences of harassment or sexual misconduct that occur within a relationship with a staff member, regardless of whether the relationship is permitted under CUC policy.

Students will not be penalised for participating in such a relationship and will be protected from any retaliation by the staff member if they choose to make a report.

If you have concerns about inappropriate relationships: