CHAPTER 5: ACHIEVING A UNIVERSITY-WIDE RESPONSE TO
INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
153. Universities, although they might be quite different in their ethos, structure and
approach, have a clear responsibility to respond appropriately to any student or
staff member who experiences sexual violence.
154. As described in chapter 3, the Taskforce recommends that universities take an
institution-wide approach. This chapter offers some suggestions on how this
might be achieved in relation to incidents of sexual violence and recommends
that i ndividual universities develop their own explicit framework for dealing
with sexual violence which is developed, tested and regularly reviewed. The
chapter takes a non-prescriptive approach yet offers some reflections on
achieving a joined-up and coherent framework for responding. Universities UK
is grateful to staff at LimeCulture65 for their assistance in developing this
chapter. Annexe E includes case studies 13 and 14 which highlight the University
of Greenwich and Keele University's recent efforts to implement an institutionwide approach to responding to sexual violence.
155. The sole focus of this chapter will be on responding to incidents of sexual
violence and not prevention activities. This is not to underplay the importance of
prevention activities which are vital in counteracting the normalisation of
certain attitudes that may lead to victims/survivors being less likely to report an
incident of sexual violence. However, prevention should be distinct from any
response to an incident of sexual violence. Chapter 3 includes recommendations
on prevention activities.
156. Universities need to consider the wider support needs of a victim/survivor
following an incident of sexual violence as well as their educational needs in the
short and medium term.
157. In addition to their victim/survivor-care responsibilities, all universities will
have to consider their responsibilities towards any staff or student member who
is accused of committing a sexual assault.
158. The quality of the university’s response will have a direct impact on a
victim/survivor’s wellbeing, particularly on their mental health and will also
have repercussions for alleged perpetrators as well. All universities will need to
ensure that their response can be tailored to the specifics of an individual case –
whether recent or historic, whether or not victims/survivors wish to report to
the police or whether the victim/survivor is male, female or transgender.
159. To respond effectively to individual incidents of sexual violence, an institution
should have an agreed strategic response. This will require a number of different
components including clear lines of accountability, risk management and
joined-up support which are further explored later in this chapter.
LimeCulture is a national sexual violence organisation based in the UK. It works with frontline
professionals, and their organisations, to improve the response to victims of sexual violence, through
training/development initiatives, research and consultancy services.
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