them or others. This is achieved through attitude change and through skills development for effective and sensitive prevention.
92. The implementation of an evidence-based bystander intervention programme is one method of achieving these improved outcomes particularly in relation to sexual harassment. Evidence from the sector suggests that a growing number of universities are implementing or considering implementing bystander programmes, particularly following the publication of the Intervention Initiative 56 and the evidence review from Public Health England which identifies the elements for effective prevention through bystander programmes 57. Further information on the Intervention Initiative is included at Annexe G.
93. The evidence highlights the importance of only using evidence-based interventions. There is a risk that interventions can be ineffective if they do not adhere to principles for achieving behaviour change. There is also a risk that they can have unintended consequences and potentially result in poorer student outcomes. It is therefore important to pilot these prevention programmes, to evaluate the impact on student outcomes and to ensure that a‘ backlash effect’ has not been created.
Universities should adopt an evidence-based bystander intervention programme. In doing this, universities will need to( i) assess the budgetary requirements necessary to enable this training to take place and( ii) determine whether training can be organised jointly with other institutions in the same region to improve efficiency.
A zero-tolerance culture that sets clear behavioural expectations and is backed up by student disciplinary regulations designed to address behaviour that fails to meet these expectations
94. The evidence considered by the Taskforce emphasised the importance of adopting and embedding a zero-tolerance approach to facilitate meaningful cultural change.
95. Many universities already have zero-tolerance policies in place and others are planning to implement this approach. Students’ unions have been at the forefront of this drive partly due to the NUS Women’ s Campaign for unions to adopt the‘ Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment’ initiative. The NUS’‘ I heart consent’ campaign has also had an important role to play 58. These campaigns have been branded in different ways by individual institutions, but all are intended to raise awareness, empower and protect students. Where the
56
Fenton, R. A., Mott, H. L., McCartan, K. and Rumney, P.( 2014). The Intervention Initiative. Bristol: UWE and Public Health England. Online at www. uwe. ac. uk / bl / research / InterventionInitiative.
57
Fenton, R. A, Mott, H. L, McCartan, K and Rumney, P.( 2016). A review of evidence for bystander intervention to prevent sexual and domestic violence in universities. Public Health England 2016011. Online at https:// www. gov. uk / government / uploads / system / uploads / attachment _ data / file / 515634 / Evidence _ re view _ bystander _ intervention _ to _ prevent _ sexual _ and _ domestic _ violence _ in _ universities _ 11April201 6. pdf
58 http:// www. nusconnect. org. uk / winning-for-students / women / lad-culture / i-heart-consent
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