An assessment of strategies to tackle sexual misconduct, hate crime and harassment affecting university students.
Universities are making progress in tackling student sexual misconduct, but more must be done.
This qualitative study – based on research carried out by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education – assesses the sector's progress in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in implementing recommendations from the UUK's 2016 report Changing the culture.
The research involved interviews and group discussions with over 100 senior sponsors, and 20 higher education providers, chosen to reflect the key characteristics of the broader sector.
Key findings include:
- Success in the sector is significant, but variable
- Active senior leadership is vital in how far institutions can progress
- There has been an increase in disclosures in the past year, a positive indication of cultural change
- The scale of HEFCE's Catalyst safeguarding funding of £2.45m has accelerated and supported change across England's higher education sector
- Institutions report barriers to progress in areas including sustainable funding for resources, training for students and staff across larger institutions and maintaining a consistent approach across the sector