Combatting Sexual Harassment in Higher Education: Raising Awareness, Improving Reporting and Providing Support

08:30       

Registration and refreshments

09:30      

Opening remarks from chair         

Dr Kirsty Fairclough, Associate Dean: Research and Innovation, University of Salford

09:40     

Establishing National Priorities for Combatting Sexual Harassment in Higher Education 

Dr Anna Bull, Co-Founder, 1752 Group and Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Portsmouth 

• Giving an overview of the problem and proposing current national priorities for combatting staff-student sexual harassment in higher education across the UK
• Outlining steps towards supporting students to report staff sexual misconduct
• Exploring examples of better practice in disciplinary processes
• Reviewing variations in progress across the sector

10:10         

Embedding Change in University Culture to Address Harassment, Misconduct and Violence 

Professor Carolyn Jackson, Department of Educational Research, Lancaster University 

• Developing strategies to ensure culture change becomes embedded within university campuses
• Why has it become normalised? – Understanding the effect of lad culture in universities and what more can be done to challenge it
• Ensuring that staff and students have adequate awareness and understanding of sexism and sexual harassment

10:30

Implementing the Guidance for Allegations of Student Misconduct

Julian Sladdin, Partner, PinsentMasons LLP

• Supporting universities to respond effectively to allegations of student misconduct
• Learning from institutions that have implemented the guidance and overcoming existing challenges
• Enabling universities to support and collaborate through the process and share best practice

10:50         

Providing Effective Training and Guidance for Staff and Students in Dealing with Sexual Harassment, Misconduct and Violence

Amy O'Leary, University Sexual Assault and Harassment Advisor (SAHA), University of Cambridge

• Developing and utilising training to help staff respond effectively to students who have been subjected to sexual harassment, misconduct and violence
• Working with students across the Collegiate University to build awareness of sexual violence
• Learning from successful initiatives and sharing best practice

11:10             

Questions and Discussion 

11.20

Refreshments and Networking 

11:50     

Case Study: Insights from the AMOSSHE Report - Sexual Misconduct Disclosures 

Nicola Tune, PhD Researcher, University of Liverpool

• Reviewing the findings of the AMOSSHE report on sexual harassment in five northwest universities
• Understanding students’ expectations and perceptions surrounding their university’s response to sexual misconduct
• Focusing on LGBT students and their experiences of and response to sexual harassment on campus
• Gain insights into online sexual harassment and how to respond effectively

12:20       

Panel Discussion: Raising Awareness, Improving Reporting and Providing Support

Dr Kirsty Fairclough, Associate Dean: Research and Innovation, University of Salford

Claire Slater, Deputy Director of Student Services, University of Bristol and AMOSSHE Executive Member

Nicola Tune, PhD Researcher, University of Liverpool

Amy O'Leary, University Sexual Assault and Harassment Advisor (SAHA), University of Cambridge

• Focusing on key challenges facing those working in the sector
• Discussing strategies to raise awareness and improve reporting of instances of sexual harassment and misconduc
• Considering the support services available and the value of working in partnership

12:50      

Lunch and Networking 

13:50        

Effectively Managing Cases of Staff-Student Harassment and Misconduct

Dr Paula Harrison-Woods, Director of Student Administration and Support, University of Liverpool

• Beyond the legal guidance, identifying the challenges for good case management
• People, policy, process and systems requirements for effective case management
• Sharing good practice within the sector

14:15        

Ensuring Universities Support Victims Effectively and Sensitively 

Kelly Savery, Student Service Lead, Manchester Rape Crisis

• Supporting students through the process of making an allegation of sexual harassment
• Meeting the mental health needs of students that have been victims of sexual harassment or violence
• Removing stigma around sexual harassment and violence across HE institutions and supporting survivors
• Understanding the psychology of victim blaming, why many students self-blame and how to support these students effectively

14:40        

Questions and discussion 

14:50        

Refreshments and networking

15:10       

Referring Cases of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct to the Police

Nicky Billingham, Swansea Student Liaison Officer, Community Safety, South Wales Police 

• Understanding what support the police can offer victims of sexual harassment and misconduct
• Learn about how universities can collaborate effectively with the police to support victims
• Raising awareness across university communities of how police combat sexual harassment and misconduct

15:30         

Taking a Whole Institution Approach: The Value of Collaboration and Leadership in Combatting Sexual Harassment and Violence 

Professor Graham Towl, Former Pro Vice Chancellor Chair, Sexual Violence Task Force and Professor of Psychology, Durham University

• What should universities be doing now? Key tests for prospective students and parents
• Understanding what has been successful and identifying areas for improvement
• Creating partnerships across universities to increase consistency in management of cases and decrease variation between institutions

15:50         

Questions and discussion 

16:00         

Closing remarks from chair

Dr Kirsty Fairclough, Associate Dean: Research and Innovation, University of Salford 

16:10        

Conference close