Never OK is UEA's campaign for promoting a culture of dignity, respect and inclusion.
Delivered in partnership by the University and uea(su), the campaign encourages everyone in our community to play a role in creating an environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. Harassment, bullying, sexual misconduct and discrimination have no place at UEA.
Through campaigns, events, training and awareness-raising activities, Never OK promotes respectful behaviours, challenges harmful attitudes and actions, and empowers members of our community to take positive action when concerns arise.
Creating a culture of respect
A safe and inclusive university community is everyone's responsibility.
Never OK promotes a shared understanding of dignity, respect and inclusion, helping students, staff and visitors understand the role they play in creating a positive campus culture. The campaign encourages our community to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, reflect on the impact of their actions on others, and contribute to an environment where everyone feels they belong.
By promoting clear expectations around behaviour and fostering open conversations about respect, boundaries, consent, equality and inclusion, Never OK supports UEA's commitment to preventing harassment and sexual misconduct.
Be an Active Bystander
Never OK encourages members of the UEA community to be active bystanders.
Being an active bystander means recognising when something is wrong and taking safe, appropriate action. This could include:
- checking in with someone who may need support
- distracting from a situation that is becoming uncomfortable or unsafe
- seeking help from others
- challenging inappropriate behaviour where it is safe to do so
- reporting concerns and encouraging others to access support
Small actions can make a significant difference. Through training and awareness-raising activities, Never OK helps students develop the confidence and skills to intervene safely and support others.
Support and reporting
Nobody should have to experience harassment, bullying, sexual misconduct or discrimination.
Never OK aims to ensure that everyone at UEA understands the support available to them and knows how to report concerns. Whether you have experienced something yourself, witnessed unacceptable behaviour, or are concerned about someone else, support is available.
Through Report + Support, students can:
- access information about available support services
- find guidance on reporting concerns
- submit a report about harassment, sexual misconduct, bullying or discrimination
- explore options before deciding whether to make a report
If you've experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour, we encourage you to seek support and report it.
Part of UEA's wider approach
Never OK is one part of UEA's wider approach to preventing harassment and sexual misconduct.
Alongside mandatory student training, support services, reporting mechanisms and educational initiatives, the campaign helps to create a culture in which unacceptable behaviour is less likely to occur, people feel confident seeking help, and everyone understands their role in creating a safe, respectful and inclusive university community.
To find out more about UEA's work to prevent harassment and sexual misconduct, including mandatory student training, visit our Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct webpage.
Student-led campaign design
Following a year-long process of consultation, development and design involving Student Journey and Support Services and uea(su), the Never OK campaign was refreshed for the 2025/26 academic year.
The refreshed campaign was designed to improve visibility and engagement, reflect the realities of student life, and use language that feels authentic, accessible and relatable.
The campaign aims to:
- improve visibility and awareness
- reflect real student experiences
- use clear, authentic and relatable messaging
- encourage conversations about respect, boundaries and harm reduction
- help students recognise inappropriate behaviour and understand how to access support and report concerns
Campaign materials have been developed in-house, enabling content and messaging to be updated quickly in response to emerging behaviours, incidents, reporting trends and key events. This approach also allows for tailored communications in different settings across the University, including academic spaces, halls of residence and uea(su) venues.
Students have been involved throughout the development process, and their feedback has played a central role in shaping the campaign's identity, messaging and materials, helping to ensure that Never OK remains relevant, responsive and meaningful to the UEA community.