of fostering a zero-tolerance culture and are empowered to take responsibility for
this.
RESPONSE
The Taskforce recommends that universities should:
x.
develop a clear, accessible and representative disclosure response for incidents of
sexual violence and rape, working with relevant external agencies where appropriate.
xi.
take reasonable and practicable steps to implement a centralised reporting system.
xii.
conduct a thorough assessment of which staff members need to be trained and what
training needs to be provided. A clear, multi-tiered training strategy covering
different types of incident can then be developed.
xiii.
build and maintain partnerships with local specialist services to ensure consistent
referral pathways for students.
xiv.
establish and maintain strong links with the local police and NHS in order to develop
and maintain a strategic partnership to prevent and respond to violence against
women, harassment and hate crime affecting students.
MANAGING SITUATIONS WHERE STUDENTS HAVE COMMITTED A DISCIPLINARY OFFENCE WHICH
MAY ALSO CONSTITUTE A CRIMINAL OFFENCE
The Taskforce recommends that:
xv.
Universities UK should conduct a thorough review of the 1994 Zellick guidelines and
produce new guidance for the sector on how to handle disciplinary issues that may
also constitute a criminal offence.
SHARING GOOD PRACTICE
The Taskforce recommends that:
xvi.
Universities UK should hold an annual national conference for the next three years to
facilitate the sharing of good practice on matters related to the work of the Taskforce.
xvii.
Universities UK should publish a directory of case studies and templates based on
what the sector is already doing (to include reference to international resources and
activities).
ONLINE HARASSMENT
The Taskforce recommends that:
xviii.
Universities UK should work with relevant bodies such as the NUS, Jisc and Reclaim
the Internet to assess what further support may be needed in relation to online
harassment and hate crime.
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