8.
In 2014, the Annual Report of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)
also identified sexual harassment and ‘lad culture’ as an emerging issue of
concern and urged universities to take a more proactive approach to dismantling
this type of culture. In its 2015 Annual Report, the OIA reported that it
continues to receive a ‘small but steady’ number of complaints about the
handling of sexual harassment cases by universities.11
9.
The End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) has also been influential in
raising the profile of sexual violence. In January 2015, EVAW produced a legal
briefing focusing on universities’ obligations under the public sector equality
duty (PSED) of the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998. This was
sent to government and to UUK members. EVAW also produced a template
letter for individual students to use to write to their vice-chancellor.
10. There are also some policy initiatives of note in the devolved nations. Equally
Safe (2014)12 sets out Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence
against women and girls. This was updated in March 201613. The Scottish
government has also announced a partnership project with the University of
Strathclyde in 2016. This two-year funded initiative will include the
development of a toolkit for Scottish higher education institutions focused on
female university students.
11.
In Wales, the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
(Wales) Act 2015 requires the Welsh Government to prepare and publish a
national strategy in relation to these matters. The legislation aims to improve
the public sector response in Wales to such abuse and violence. Universities in
south Wales are also working together with the South Wales Police and Crime
Commissioner and a local charity to address sexual violence, domestic abuse
and other forms of violence against women. This is detailed in case study 1 in
Annexe E.
12. Schools have also come under increased scrutiny as evidenced by the 2016
Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into sexual harassment and sexual
violence in schools in England. UUK submitted evidence to this inquiry, which
published its report on 13 September 2016.14 The Committee found that sexual
harassment and abuse of girls at school is being accepted as part of daily life,
with cases of teachers accepting sexual harassment as ‘banter’ and children of
primary school age learning about sex and relationships from exposure to
pornography15. There was also a recognition that for ‘lad culture’ to be tackled
OIA Annual Report 2015 (June 2015).
Scottish Government and COSLA, Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating
violence against women and girls (2014), available at:
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00454152.pdf
13 Scottish Government and COSLA, Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating
violence against women and girls (2016), available at http://blogs.scotland.gov.uk/equallysafe/files/2016/03/ES-update-18-April1.pdf
14 UUK’s submission can be accessed at: http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-andanalysis/Pages/taskforce-violence-against-women-hate-crime.aspx
15 See
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmwomeq/91/91.pdf?utm_source=91&
utm_medium=module&utm_campaign=modulereports
11
12
15