Warning: the following article contains references to sexual violence.
Nearly two thirds of students and graduates have experienced sexual violence.
62% of students and graduates have experienced sexual assault or harassment during their time at UK universities, a new survey has found.
7 in 10 female students or graduates have experienced sexual violence
This figure rises to 70% for female graduates only. Almost half have experienced sexual assault.
The survey was taken by student charity Revolt Sexual Assault. It surveyed 4,500 students and graduates from 153 different institutions
Reports of sexual violence: “too powerful to forget”
“I’ve heard countless stories of sexual violence from brave, incredible students – each of which has been too powerful to forget.”
Revolt Sexual Assault, uses Snapchat to allow victims to tell their stories.
Hannah Price, the charity’s founder, said:
“During the campaign so far, I’ve heard countless stories of sexual violence from brave, incredible students – each of which has been too powerful to forget.
Beneath the filters, the life-long effects of these assaults are shockingly apparent.
The sad reality is the same themes emerge. Students are suffering in silence, blaming themselves and having an extremely poor student experience because sexual violence and the lack of support available and visible from universities.”
Report rates are drastically low
90% of respondents did not report their experience of sexual violence to anyone. 94% did not report their experiences to their university.
What are London’s universities doing?
City News can reveal that City University of London has no support policy in place for sexual assault victims.
The university failed to clarify their policy when approached.
City University would not provide comment.
A Freedom of Information request found that over the past three years, City University has received no reports of sexual violence.
Data from the survey suggests it is unlikely there have been no instances at City. Instead, this highlights the importance of a functioning victim support system.
The equivalent figure for University College London, where a reporting procedure exists, is 62 reports.
‘Universities need a reporting system that minimises the distress caused to students; carried out by disclosure trained members of staff,” said Miss Price.
“It is not good enough that the same policies, and disciplinary procedures, used for plagiarism are often applied to students reporting rape – specific policies for sexual violence on campus need to be developed.”
‘Brushed under the carpet’
The testimony of one student (not from City University of London) highlights the importance of these procedures:
The student said her university failed them when they reported the sexual assault.
They added they didn’t report the second incident.
“I figured out that I had the emotional strength to do one of two things: I could pursue a complaint against my rapist, or I could finish my degree.
I chose the latter and went for counselling after graduating, but I still have not recovered and I think about it literally every day. I’m still so angry.”
If you are personally affected by what you have read above or know someone who has been, call Rape Crisis on 0808 802 9999.
For more on the work of Revolt Sexual Assault, visit their website.
Tune in to City News at 4:00pm for the full report…
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Headline‘62% of UK students and graduates experience sexual violence’
Short Headline62% of UK students experience sexual violence
Standfirst
Warning: the following article contains references to sexual violence.
Nearly two thirds of students and graduates have experienced sexual violence.
62% of students and graduates have experienced sexual assault or harassment during their time at UK universities, a new survey has found.
7 in 10 female students or graduates have experienced sexual violence
This figure rises to 70% for female graduates only. Almost half have experienced sexual assault.
The survey was taken by student charity Revolt Sexual Assault. It surveyed 4,500 students and graduates from 153 different institutions
Reports of sexual violence: “too powerful to forget”
“I’ve heard countless stories of sexual violence from brave, incredible students – each of which has been too powerful to forget.”
Revolt Sexual Assault, uses Snapchat to allow victims to tell their stories.
Hannah Price, the charity’s founder, said:
“During the campaign so far, I’ve heard countless stories of sexual violence from brave, incredible students – each of which has been too powerful to forget.
Beneath the filters, the life-long effects of these assaults are shockingly apparent.
The sad reality is the same themes emerge. Students are suffering in silence, blaming themselves and having an extremely poor student experience because sexual violence and the lack of support available and visible from universities.”
Report rates are drastically low
90% of respondents did not report their experience of sexual violence to anyone. 94% did not report their experiences to their university.
What are London’s universities doing?
City News can reveal that City University of London has no support policy in place for sexual assault victims.
The university failed to clarify their policy when approached.
City University would not provide comment.
A Freedom of Information request found that over the past three years, City University has received no reports of sexual violence.
Data from the survey suggests it is unlikely there have been no instances at City. Instead, this highlights the importance of a functioning victim support system.
The equivalent figure for University College London, where a reporting procedure exists, is 62 reports.
‘Universities need a reporting system that minimises the distress caused to students; carried out by disclosure trained members of staff,” said Miss Price.
“It is not good enough that the same policies, and disciplinary procedures, used for plagiarism are often applied to students reporting rape – specific policies for sexual violence on campus need to be developed.”
‘Brushed under the carpet’
The testimony of one student (not from City University of London) highlights the importance of these procedures:
The student said her university failed them when they reported the sexual assault.
They added they didn’t report the second incident.
“I figured out that I had the emotional strength to do one of two things: I could pursue a complaint against my rapist, or I could finish my degree.
I chose the latter and went for counselling after graduating, but I still have not recovered and I think about it literally every day. I’m still so angry.”
If you are personally affected by what you have read above or know someone who has been, call Rape Crisis on 0808 802 9999.
For more on the work of Revolt Sexual Assault, visit their website.
Tune in to City News at 4:00pm for the full report…
