Contact
Anne Chappell (Brunel University London USVreact Project Coordinator),
[email protected]
Pam Alldred (USVreact Principal Investigator), [email protected]
Alison Phipps (USVreact Co-Investigator), [email protected]
The #USVreact project has been funded with support from the European Commission. Its
content and material reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be
held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Project code: JUST/2014/RDAP/AG/VICT/7401
CASE STUDY 13: UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH: TACKLING SEXUAL VIOLENCE USING A WHOLEINSTITUTION APPROACH
Sexual violence is a serious public health issue affecting universities (ACHA, 2016), and
figures for all sexual offences and rape in England and Wales have increased substantially in
2015 compared with the previous year (ONS, 2016) – possibly suggesting a greater
willingness to disclose. While in the United States the obligations of universities in terms of
addressing sexual violence have been brought into sharp focus following a White House Task
Force in 2014, the UK is behind the curve.
The University of Greenwich is strongly committed to developing an appropriate, robust
response to sexual violence and believes that an institution-wide approach is required to
both meet the needs of victims and to manage the risks posed by sexual violence. A
university-wide steering group led by the deputy vice-chancellor (academic) was established
in early 2016 comprising academic and professional services staff as well as representatives
from the students’ union. The group’s aim was to review existing university policy, protocol
and practice and in light of these findings develop a coordinated, cross-institutional strategic
response. The steering group’s first meeting was facilitated by LimeCulture, a national
organisation with expertise in improving responses to sexual violence.
Two phases of work are underway: the university’s response to disclosures (phase 1) and
prevention/awareness-raising (phase 2). The need for a whole-institution approach is
informed by the complexity of the issue for higher education institutions, which have a duty
of care to students; eg the nature of the case (historical/current), the individuals involved
(another student/staff member/person external to the university), the needs of the victim
and therefore the associated referral pathways, and issues surrounding appropriate
investigation when the victim does not want to report to the police.
Phase one involves:
developing a sexual violence strategy and associated protocol, ensuring this
articulates with other relevant university strategies/policies
ensuring all staff respond appropriately to disclosure and refer individuals
immediately to new sexual violence specialists working in the university, managed by
an institutional lead located in Student Services
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