CASE STUDY 3: THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE: DRAWING ON THE UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE
The University of Cambridge, with the agreement of all of its 31 autonomous colleges, has
implemented a new procedure for consideration of cases where one student alleges sexual
assault or rape by another student. The formulation of this procedure has been influenced by
the experience of American universities, particularly Yale. The development of the procedure
involved close collaboration with undergraduate and graduate student representatives from
the university, and discussions with the local police.
The Cambridge procedure identifies appropriate routes for seeking resolution of complaints
of sexual assault. The first stage of the procedure involves a non-judgmental factual
investigation by an appropriately trained investigator who will seek to identify as many
undisputed facts as possible and any disputed facts. The investigator’s report will then be
referred to a specially constituted Harassment and Sexual Assault Panel, which will comprise
three members, one of whom is a student, and all of whom have received specialist training.
The panel will consider the case in the light of the investigator’s findings of fact and will be
able to make one of three determinations:
(i) that there is no case to answer and the complaint should be dismissed
(ii) with the agreement of both parties, that a resolution should be applied; possible
resolutions include: a verbal or written warning; the student against whom a
complaint has been made being required to refrain from contact with the
complainant; or the student against whom a complaint has been made attending
behaviour awareness training
(iii) that the case should be referred for consideration under the university’s
disciplinary procedure.
The adoption of this procedure is underpinned by a number of core principles. These include
that the procedure is designed to empower students to raise a complaint about sexual assault
and to support students in choosing whether to raise the complaint with the university or the
police. To this end, advisors are available who are specially trained to deal with cases of
sexual assault. Crucially, the procedure ensures fairness to all parties concerned and
emphasises that the university cannot replicate criminal procedures and punishments.
Further, the procedure forms part of a wider university policy which supports cultural and
behavioural change founded on mutual respect between students. This policy is supported by
various other initiatives including consent workshops and the adoption of codes of
acceptable conduct by sports teams.
CASE STUDY 4: DURHAM UNIVERSITY: SEXUAL VIOLENCE TASK FORCE
The Durham University Sexual Violence Task Force (SVTF) was set up in 2015 in response to
a growing concern at Durham, and within the higher education sector nationally and
internationally, about sexual violence involving students.
The university began from the perspective that it had a civic duty to address this area of
student safety and wellbeing.
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