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Government orders inquiry over violence against women at universities Government orders inquiry over violence against women at universities
(35 minutes later)
The government has ordered an inquiry into reducing violence against women at universities amid concerns “lad culture” is endangering female students. The government has ordered an inquiry into reducing violence against women at universities over concerns “lad culture” is endangering female students.
University heads have been ordered to lead a taskforce to look into the problem and draw up a code of practice “to bring about cultural change”.University heads have been ordered to lead a taskforce to look into the problem and draw up a code of practice “to bring about cultural change”.
Business secretary, Sajid Javid, who ordered the review, said: “Nobody should be put off going to university because of fears about their safety. If my children choose that path, I would expect my daughter to be as safe as my son on any campus in this country. The business secretary, Sajid Javid, who ordered the review, said: “Nobody should be put off going to university because of fears about their safety. If my children choose that path, I would expect my daughter to be as safe as my son on any campus in this country.
“This taskforce will ensure that universities have a plan to stamp out violence against women and provide a safe environment for all their students. We do not tolerate this behaviour in any part of society and I’m not prepared to let it take place on university campuses unchecked.”“This taskforce will ensure that universities have a plan to stamp out violence against women and provide a safe environment for all their students. We do not tolerate this behaviour in any part of society and I’m not prepared to let it take place on university campuses unchecked.”
He wrote to Universities UK, which represents the country’s vice-chancellors, this weekend, ordering the investigation. He wrote to Universities UK, which represents the country’s vice-chancellors, this weekend, to order the investigation.
It comes amid major concerns male undergraduates are subjecting women to harassment and unwanted sexual advances. Male students are known to engage in sexist “banter”, harassment and even sexual assault – particularly during the first week of term, known as freshers’ week. It comes as concerns grow that male undergraduates are subjecting women to harassment and unwanted sexual advances. Male students are known to engage in sexist banter, harassment and even sexual assault – particularly during the first week of term, known as freshers’ week.
Research carried out by the National Union of Students last year revealed that a quarter of students had been groped or subjected to inappropriate touching. Two-thirds of the 2,000 students polled said they had seen students have to put up with unwanted sexual comments. Research carried out by the National Union of Students last year revealed that a quarter of students had been groped or subjected to inappropriate touching. Two-thirds of the 2,000 students polled said they had seen that others had to put up with unwanted sexual comments.
The taskforce will also look at how complaints can be better handled and work with crime prevention officers to tackle the problem. Universities could be rated on how well they perform using a certification scheme that would give the stamp of approval to institutions which best tackle sexism and violence against women. The taskforce will also look at how complaints can be better handled, and will work with crime prevention officers to tackle the problem. Universities could be rated on how well they perform using a certification scheme that would give the stamp of approval to institutions which do most to tackle sexism and violence against women.
The taskforce is expected to be convened in the autumn and work over a full year.The taskforce is expected to be convened in the autumn and work over a full year.
Universities minister, Jo Johnson, said: “Universities already take their responsibilities for the safety of all students incredibly seriously. They have clear legal duties through the Equalities Act 2010 and the public sector equality duty. This task force will make sure that the universities are doing all they can to meet their legal obligations and, will see where they can go further.” The universities minister, Jo Johnson, said: “Universities already take their responsibilities for the safety of all students incredibly seriously. They have clear legal duties through the Equalities Act 2010 and the public sector equality duty. This task force will make sure that the universities are doing all they can to meet their legal obligations and, will see where they can go further.”
Undergraduates at some of Britain’s most prestigious universities have been embroiled in accusations of sexism and joking about violence against women. Last year, many Oxbridge colleges reportedly introduced compulsory sexual consent workshops during freshers’ week in a bid to tackle the problem.Undergraduates at some of Britain’s most prestigious universities have been embroiled in accusations of sexism and joking about violence against women. Last year, many Oxbridge colleges reportedly introduced compulsory sexual consent workshops during freshers’ week in a bid to tackle the problem.
And in 2013, a Durham University college reportedly launched an investigation after members of its men’s rugby club are said to have played “It’s not rape if ...” at their club social, in which players had to find ways of finishing the sentence. In 2013, a Durham University college reportedly launched an investigation after members of its men’s rugby club are said to have played “It’s not rape if ... ” at their club social, in which players had to find ways of finishing the sentence.
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, welcomed the initiative and said many universities have already introduced schemes to tackle the issue. She said: “Sexual harassment or violence have no place on a university campus, nor anywhere else. These are serious matters where a zero-tolerance approach is required. Universities across the UK are already tackling the issue and introducing a range of initiatives. Nicola Dandridge, the chief executive of Universities UK, welcomed the initiative and said many universities had already introduced schemes to tackle the issue.
“Sexual harassment or violence have no place on a university campus, nor anywhere else. These are serious matters where a zero-tolerance approach is required. Universities across the UK are already tackling the issue and introducing a range of initiatives,” she said.
“Over the last few months, Universities UK has also started work on a programme to see whether there is more we can do to support universities in this area and share best practice across the sector. This is work we will be able to feed in to the minister’s planned task force.“Over the last few months, Universities UK has also started work on a programme to see whether there is more we can do to support universities in this area and share best practice across the sector. This is work we will be able to feed in to the minister’s planned task force.
“This is not an issue confined to university campuses. Many other sectors and walks of life are dealing with the same challenges. It is a problem to be confronted and addressed across all of society.”“This is not an issue confined to university campuses. Many other sectors and walks of life are dealing with the same challenges. It is a problem to be confronted and addressed across all of society.”