ensuring the university is best-equipped to deal with violence against women,
harassment and hate crime.
Based on the evidence, the Taskforce agreed that there are several steps that
universities can take to promote and reinforce positive behaviour within the student
population. These include making use of evidence-based bystander initiative
programmes and facilitating a culture of zero tolerance. This activity will have knockon benefits for wider society given the large numbers of students who progress
through the UK’s higher education system.
The Taskforce concluded that partnership working is a fundamental component of
preventing and responding to violence against women, harassment and hate crime.
Partners, including the police, community leaders and specialist services can be vital
in su pporting students, ensuring staff are well trained and assessing the nature and
scale of the issues affecting students at a given time. In addition, they can play a
crucial role in the development of effective institutional policies and procedures such
as the handling of disclosures of sexual violence. By working with local partners,
universities can also spread the benefits of their own activities by embedding positive
behaviours in social and sporting activities taking place away from university
campuses.
The evidence also underlined the importance of having visible and accessible
reporting mechanisms in place for students, as well as staff who are appropriately
trained and sufficiently aware of the support available to students, both on and off
campus.
Although there is a significant volume of positive activity happening already across
the university sector, the Taskforce concluded that much of this work has not been
widely shared. This is a missed opportunity. The Taskforce therefore agreed a series
of recommendations to facilitate the sharing of university initiatives both within the
UK and internationally.
Significant concerns were raised about the guidance available to universities on
managing situations where a student's disciplinary offence may constitute a criminal
offence. Such guidance can be critical in assisting universities to manage cases and
provide appropriate support to students. The Taskforce concluded that the existing
guidance dating back to 1994 (known as the Zellick guidelines1) requires review. This
review is already underway and new guidance will be published in autumn 2016.
The growing prevalence of online harassment and hate crime was frequently cited as
a serious issue. Further action is needed to support universities to tackle this
problem.
In summary, the Taskforce identified – from the evidence gathered – a number of
recommended actions for universities and Universities UK. These cover several areas
The guidance’s official title is Final Report of the Taskforce on Student Disciplinary Procedures [the
1994 Taskforce was chaired by Graham Zellick.]
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