The Office for Students (OfS) today called for urgent action to
tackle harassment and sexual misconduct in universities and
colleges. OfS chief executive, Nicola Dandridge, urges all higher
education providers to review their policies, systems and
procedures before the next academic year.
The call comes as the regulator today published its statement of
expectations, which outlines the practical steps that
universities and colleges should be taking to tackle
harassment and sexual misconduct – including harassment based
on age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or
belief, sex and sexual orientation.
The framework provides a clear and consistent set of standards
that all universities and colleges can follow to implement
effective systems and policies to both prevent and respond to
incidents. For example, all universities and colleges should:
- have the processes in place to allow students to report and
disclose any incidents and work to minimise potential barriers to
reporting and disclosing
- ensure that investigatory procedures are fair and
independent, and that those involved get effective
pastoral support
- clearly set out behavioural expectations for all students,
staff and visitors. Codes of conduct should be made clear to new
and continuing students and staff as part of induction and
relevant ongoing activities.
Writing in a blog for the OfS website today, Nicola
Dandridge says:
“Despite some improvements, progress has been uneven. We still
see a lack of consistent and effective systems, policies and
procedures across the sector. As a result, students continue to
report worrying cases that have not been properly addressed by
their university or college.”
On the OfS statement of expectations, Ms Dandridge writes:
“These expectations provide a standard. It is now for all
universities and colleges registered with the OfS to put these
principles into practice.
“Having the right processes is important. Students should feel
confident reporting and disclosing incidents, knowing that they
will be listened to and their reports will be dealt with
appropriately. Staff need the right training to enable them to
respond effectively and sensitively to disclosures and reports
from students – if only to know to refer students on quickly to
whoever is best placed to provide the right support.
“Good communication matters too. Universities and colleges need
to explain clearly to students, staff and visitors what
constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. By providing
this clarity, as well as raising awareness of the nature and
impact of harassment and sexual misconduct, they can help prevent
harmful incidents.”
She continues:
“Using this statement of expectations as a yardstick can go a
long way to ensuring students have confidence that cases of
harassment and sexual misconduct will be properly addressed. We
have not developed it in isolation: we developed it building on
existing research, evidence and practice from across the sector
as well as through dialogue with student and sector
representatives and specialist organisations. We also drew on the
experiences of some students faced because of the pandemic.
“We are not, at this stage, formally connecting this statement of
expectations to specific conditions of registration. It sets out
expectations, not regulatory requirements. This should give
universities and colleges the time and opportunity to review
their policies, systems and procedures before the next academic
year drawing on these expectations.”
Ms Dandridge concludes:
“Publishing this statement of expectations represents a major
step in ensuring that all students feel safe during their time in
higher education. It is a real opportunity for universities and
colleges to make a difference and I would strongly urge them to
grasp it.
“Over the next year we will examine how universities and colleges
have responded. We will particularly want to hear from students
and students’ unions that things are changing for the better. As
part of this process, we will consider options for connecting the
statement directly to our conditions of registration.”
“Dealing effectively with harassment and sexual misconduct -
wherever it may occur - will require action, commitment and
collaboration. The result should be that meaningful support is
provided to students when they need it, and that all incidents
are dealt with effectively and sensitively. That is the least
students should expect and we are determined to make sure they
get it.”
Read the statement of expectations here.
Read Nicola Dandridge’s blog here.
