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Universities urged to do more to stop sex attacks and harassment on campus Universities urged to do more to stop sex attacks and harassment on campus
(34 minutes later)
Universities need to step up efforts to tackle sexual violence and harassment on campus and believe students who report allegations, academics and student campaigners have said.Universities need to step up efforts to tackle sexual violence and harassment on campus and believe students who report allegations, academics and student campaigners have said.
Fewer than half of the Russell Group universities monitor sexual violence, a Guardian investigation has found. And only one in six publish guidelines on reporting allegations, while student victims say they are not being taken seriously when they do. One student reported being asked about her drinking when she reported a rape; another was asked why she did not fight harder.Fewer than half of the Russell Group universities monitor sexual violence, a Guardian investigation has found. And only one in six publish guidelines on reporting allegations, while student victims say they are not being taken seriously when they do. One student reported being asked about her drinking when she reported a rape; another was asked why she did not fight harder.
Dr Alice Prochaska, the principal of Somerville college, Oxford – which was attended by Margaret Thatcher – said: “We all could do with a lot more training. We all of us have to take the default position when someone comes to us in trouble that we believe them and don’t assume that it’s a certain type of case.”Dr Alice Prochaska, the principal of Somerville college, Oxford – which was attended by Margaret Thatcher – said: “We all could do with a lot more training. We all of us have to take the default position when someone comes to us in trouble that we believe them and don’t assume that it’s a certain type of case.”
Related: Student sexual violence: 'leaving each university to deal with it isn't working'Related: Student sexual violence: 'leaving each university to deal with it isn't working'
Prochaska, who wrote to undergraduate students in May condemning what she described as a “profoundly worrying” culture of sexual harassment at the college, said staff should encourage students to speak out. “For those of us in positions of authority, we need to encourage our students to speak out. They need to be believed and listened to with respect. We certainly don’t want any tinge of suggestion that someone who has been assaulted is in any way responsible.”Prochaska, who wrote to undergraduate students in May condemning what she described as a “profoundly worrying” culture of sexual harassment at the college, said staff should encourage students to speak out. “For those of us in positions of authority, we need to encourage our students to speak out. They need to be believed and listened to with respect. We certainly don’t want any tinge of suggestion that someone who has been assaulted is in any way responsible.”
She described Somerville, with its 570 students, as a “relatively intimate” and supportive college. But in the area of sexual violence it was a “difficult job to get right”, she said.She described Somerville, with its 570 students, as a “relatively intimate” and supportive college. But in the area of sexual violence it was a “difficult job to get right”, she said.
Prof Nicole Westmarland, of the Durham Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse, said: “Universities have got to put more effort into this. For far too long in the UK they have been pretending it doesn’t happen or that it is very rare, partly because they want to show that their universities are safe places for students.”Prof Nicole Westmarland, of the Durham Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse, said: “Universities have got to put more effort into this. For far too long in the UK they have been pretending it doesn’t happen or that it is very rare, partly because they want to show that their universities are safe places for students.”
Citing student-run campaigns to highlight sexual violence, such as Oxford University’s It Happens Here, Westmarland said students should not have to “fight their universities to have it recognised as an issue”.Citing student-run campaigns to highlight sexual violence, such as Oxford University’s It Happens Here, Westmarland said students should not have to “fight their universities to have it recognised as an issue”.
Her words come after an audit of 35 universities published on Monday by the National Union of Students found a “startling lack” of training, provision and support across institutions and student unions. Westmarland is part of a new anti-sexual violence task force at Durham University, set up by the deputy vice-chancellor and Durham police and crime commissioner, which will work with the local Rape Crisis centres to train staff how to respond to sexual violence allegations.Her words come after an audit of 35 universities published on Monday by the National Union of Students found a “startling lack” of training, provision and support across institutions and student unions. Westmarland is part of a new anti-sexual violence task force at Durham University, set up by the deputy vice-chancellor and Durham police and crime commissioner, which will work with the local Rape Crisis centres to train staff how to respond to sexual violence allegations.
She also wants Universities UK to set national guidelines on sexual violence, harassment and lad culture.She also wants Universities UK to set national guidelines on sexual violence, harassment and lad culture.
Ella Raff, co-founder of End Rape on Campus UK, described the university sector’s policies on sexual violence as “shameful”. She said: “UK universities currently have inconsistent and unclear policies on sexual assault. This contributes to rape remaining a largely unpunished crime and a serious threat to university students.”Ella Raff, co-founder of End Rape on Campus UK, described the university sector’s policies on sexual violence as “shameful”. She said: “UK universities currently have inconsistent and unclear policies on sexual assault. This contributes to rape remaining a largely unpunished crime and a serious threat to university students.”
Related: NUS finds ‘startling’ lack of sexual harassment policies on campusesRelated: NUS finds ‘startling’ lack of sexual harassment policies on campuses
Katie Russell, of Rape Crisis, said a supportive first response to a disclosure of sexual violence was crucial to avoid potential mental health problems later. “Nobody expects tutors or GPs to be experts,” she said. “But they should provide appropriate responses, not questions. We know survivors feel terrible feelings of self-blame and guilt, if they have been unable to respond, or if drink has been involved. That’s why they don’t tell or seek support.”Katie Russell, of Rape Crisis, said a supportive first response to a disclosure of sexual violence was crucial to avoid potential mental health problems later. “Nobody expects tutors or GPs to be experts,” she said. “But they should provide appropriate responses, not questions. We know survivors feel terrible feelings of self-blame and guilt, if they have been unable to respond, or if drink has been involved. That’s why they don’t tell or seek support.”
Russell described as unacceptable policies that force students to go to the police before any action is taken.Russell described as unacceptable policies that force students to go to the police before any action is taken.
In a letter to the Guardian, Dr Wendy Piatt, the director general of the Russell Group, said: “Your article [27/07/15] suggesting ‘elite universities’ are not taking sexual assault victims seriously does not at all reflect the attitude and efforts of Russell Group universities.In a letter to the Guardian, Dr Wendy Piatt, the director general of the Russell Group, said: “Your article [27/07/15] suggesting ‘elite universities’ are not taking sexual assault victims seriously does not at all reflect the attitude and efforts of Russell Group universities.
“Our institutions take the issue of any kind of harassment, abuse or violence against students extremely seriously indeed. They have robust policies and procedures in place to deal with these matters, which are a key part of their responsibility to ensure safety and wellbeing.”“Our institutions take the issue of any kind of harassment, abuse or violence against students extremely seriously indeed. They have robust policies and procedures in place to deal with these matters, which are a key part of their responsibility to ensure safety and wellbeing.”
A Universities UK spokesperson said: “Universities take the welfare of all their students very seriously and all universities have policies and procedures in place to safeguard students against harassment or violence and are actively involved in other initiatives and campaigns, often in partnership with students’ unions to help change behaviour and attitudes.” A Universities UK spokesperson said: “Universities take the welfare of all their students very seriously and all universities have policies and procedures in place to safeguard students against harassment or violence and are actively involved in other initiatives and campaigns, often in partnership with students’ unions, to help change behaviour and attitudes.”