39. The study found that one in five LGB + 37 and one in three trans students had experienced at least one form of bullying or harassment on campus and 51 % of trans students had considered dropping out. The findings for trans students were particularly stark; trans respondents were twice as likely as LGB students to have experienced harassment( 22 % versus 9 %), threats or intimidation( 13.5 % versus 6 %) or physical assault( 5 % versus 2 %). Reporting levels to the police were also found to be low, with only 16 % of those who experienced physical assault based on perceived sexuality or gender identity reporting it to the police.
40. A small research study by Sheffield Hallam University on the experience of LGBT + students found that university engagement with LGBT + issues often took place periodically rather than systematically, for example during LGBT + History Week and local Pride events. 38 The evidence also suggested that there was a perception that student-led LGBT + societies undertook most activity in this area, rather than the university. 39 The research also suggests that approaches, and student perceptions of these, vary substantially across the sector. In addition, it found that while universities may have policies in place, these may not be linked to wider awareness raising activity.
41. Although the number of students who report harassment on the basis of identifying as LGBT + appears to be low, the NUS study reveals that incidents have a big impact on university experiences. LGBT + students are more likely to consider dropping out than heterosexual students and the main reason given for this is the feeling of not fitting in. 40 Further, there appears to be a particular issue around how accepted trans students feel on campus. This is echoed outside of the higher education sector. The University of Sussex’ s Hate Crime Unit’ s( SHCU) submission to a recent Women and Equalities Committee inquiry states that trans people‘… are doubly victimised and affected, above and beyond other commonly stigmatised and harassed groups.’ 41
42. Evidence from Stonewall highlighted that homophobic hate crimes or incidents are most likely to be experienced by the 18 – 24 age group 42. In relation to university students specifically, the Equality Challenge Unit’ s( ECU) 2009 survey found that institutions’ policies on equality and inclusion are a significant factor in the choice of institution for 15 % of LGB and 24 % of trans students. 43 There is also research to suggest that being bullied at school on the basis of
37
In the NUS research, the use of LGB + refers to respondents to the survey who defined their sexuality as lesbian, gay, bisexual or queer, asexual, pansexual or unsure. LGBT refers to the community as whole including those who identify as trans.
38
Formby, E., Freshers to Finals( July 2015). The research focused on the experience of Sheffield Hallam University students alone.
39
Ibid.
40
NUS, Education beyond the straight and narrow: LGB +, trans, bullying and harassment on campus( 2014), p. 5.
41
SHCU submission to Women and Equalities Committee available at http:// data. parliament. uk / WrittenEvidence / CommitteeEvidence. svc / EvidenceDocument / Women per cent20and per cent20Equalities / Transgender per cent20Equality / written / 19415. html
42
Stonewall hate crime research, 2013
43
ECU, Experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff and students in higher education: research report( 2009).
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