CW: Sexual & Gender-based violence
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harassment is endemic within UK higher education institutions: A survey of 4,500 UK students* from 153 institutions found that 62% have experienced sexual violence at UK universities. This figure rises to 70% among female respondents, with 48% having experienced sexual assault. To foster safer and more inclusive campuses, universities and colleges must implement comprehensive strategies that encompass sexual violence prevention, education, support, and accountability.
Mandatory Staff Training
Institutions are now required to provide all staff with specialist sexual and gender-based violence training. It is essential for staff to feel confident challenging misogyny and discrimination on campus, and responding to disclosures and allegations. Comprehensive staff training upskills educators to effectively support students & colleagues with trauma-informed responses, key information on institutional policies and available resources. Additionally, challenging myths and beliefs that perpetuate, normalise or trivialise sexual and gender-based violence is essential in preventing it. The Office for Students (OfS) has introduced new requirements for universities on tackling sexual harassment and misconduct, which emphasises the necessity of staff training.
Clear Communication of Policies and Procedures
Universities must ensure all students, staff, and visitors have access to a single document that outlines the terms of their Sexual Misconduct Policy, process of reporting (both anonymously and not), available support services, how to access them, and step-by-step details of the process of how the policy will be applied.
Provision of Student Workshops on Consent, Healthy Relationships and Bystander Intervention
Implementing comprehensive educational programmes that focus on consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention is crucial. These programmes should be interactive and engaging to effectively challenge existing attitudes and behaviours that support and sustain sexual violence on campus. Tackling rape culture at universities and colleges requires all students to have access to education on these topics.
Offer Comprehensive Support Services
Institutions should provide robust support services, including counselling and advocacy. All staff providing support for students affected by sexual violence should undergo thorough, specialist training on myths and misconceptions about sexual violence, responding to disclosures of sexual abuse and harassment and trauma-informed practice.
Establish Long-Term Partnerships with Specialist Organisations
Engaging with external organisations that specialise in working with young people, survivors, and sexual and gender-based violence can provide universities with expert training, resources, and support to enhance their prevention and response strategies.
By implementing these measures and focusing on cultural transformation, UK colleges and universities can begin to tackle sexual violence and harassment on campus.
Please get in touch to find out more about our programme of policy consultation, staff training and student workshops for HE providers.
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