OfS launches new road map in tackling sexual misconduct in Universities

It is evident that it is time to address the issue of sexual misconduct in UK universities. With numerous reports such as “Higher education after #MeToo”, it is impossible to overlook the call for support from university students nationwide who are demanding more from higher education institutions.

Recent studies unequivocally demonstrate that 20% of students have encountered unwanted sexual behavior while at university. This statistic is unsurprising to us at Survivors’ Network as we consistently engage with our local universities and facilitate peer support groups for students at Sussex University.

This week, the Office for Students (OfS) will enforce new requirements for universities to ensure the protection of students from harassment and sexual misconduct. This will be done by introducing a “condition of registration” specifically aimed at addressing this critical issue.

In short, these conditions mean that institutions will only be able to use the term “university” and grant degrees if they fulfil specific requirements, including:

• training for staff and students “to improve understanding of what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct”
• publishing information about their policies and procedures
• banning the use of non-disclosure agreements when dealing with cases of harassment or sexual misconduct.

This is a huge win for campaigners and students working to make universities safer. However, these changes have not come without criticism that it is not enough to change the culture of sexual violence in universities.

On speaking to the BBC, Charlotte Keely, a representative of Our Streets Now, a campaign group dedicated to ending public sexual harassment, expressed her support for the ban on NDAs and highlighted that the condition of registration provides a clear path for universities to follow.

She emphasized that the OfS had adopted a “minimum standard approach” to training, primarily focusing on enhancing understanding of what constitutes harassment, rather than addressing “cultures of sexual harassment” and harassment itself.

“This could be via active bystander training, training on trauma-informed practice or training on developing effective structures of report and support,” she said.

How Can We Help?

We have been experts in this field for the past thirty years and we can confirm the effectiveness of well-thought-out and consistently implemented approaches to tackle sexual harassment and misconduct.

We have also seen firsthand the genuine impact of unwanted sexual behaviours on survivors of sexual violence, meaning that we can deliver training from a trauma-informed and survivor-centred approach.

We’re committed to moving things forward in this area, and as such, we offer low-cost, essential training, designed to support compliance with these changes. Our expertise in this sector ensure that the training is not just informative, but engaging and sensitively delivered – because these topics deserve a nuanced approach.

What We Provide:

• We already work closely with Universities to provide personalised training packages meaning that we are able to offer “off-the-shelf” ready-to-go training that can fit around you.
• We also offer a downloadable “Consent For Universities” webinar content that you can purchase for each student and team member to complete remotely in their own time.
• If you have a more specific requirement we are well-equipped to create specialised content that suits your needs.

Furthermore, any funds raised through our expert-led training delivery go back into our frontline services, thereby supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

If this is of interest to you, get in touch with us on training@survivorsnetwork.org.uk and we can take you through the options; including personalising sessions to your specific teams and context.

Sources – https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-and-media/new-ofs-condition-to-address-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/

-https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnl048l0njeo