An assault is the act of committing harm upon a person or the threat or attempt to commit such an action.
Assault of any kind is not okay. If you or someone you know has been affected by assault, then we encourage you to seek support.
According to the law there are several different types of assault, which may depend on how someone hurt you, or how badly you were injured. The main types of assault are:
- Common assault: when someone uses force, such as pushing or slapping, or makes threats of violence.
- Actual Bodily Harm (ABH): when you are injured as the result of an assault, for example bruised, scratched or bitten.
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH): when you are seriously injured in an assault, such as being stabbed.
- Sexual assault and rape; (see Sexual Violence information)
- Domestic Abuse and relationship abuse; (see Domestic Abuse information)
- Hate crime; (see Hate Crime information)
- Verbal assault; when someone uses threatening, abusive or insulting language with the intention of causing someone else harassment, alarm or distress.
Even if the attack doesn’t result in physical injuries, it can still be regarded as an assault. Incidents can happen anywhere – at home, at work, in the street – and often the victim knows the person who attacks them. Whether you are physically hurt or not, being assaulted can have a big effect on you emotionally.
If you are a student, find out what report and support options are available to you at the University of Birmingham.
If you are a student, find out what report and support options are available to you at the University of Birmingham.
For staff, to access further support, submit a report with your contact details via Report and Support and an appropriate person will contact you.