Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today welcomed the new Universities UK report ‘Changing the culture’ which has been circulated to all universities. The report includes recommendations for universities in dealing with violence against women, harassment and hate crime affecting university students. Alongside the report Universities UK have reviewed the guidance available to universities on managing situations where a student's behaviour may constitute a criminal offence. The new guidelines take into account changes in law including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equalities Act in 2010.

Commenting on the report, Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“We welcome this important report. All too often victims of harassment and hate crime have been reluctant to report what has happened to them and have felt let down by the system. This new guidance should give them confidence that universities will take proper steps to support them and conduct investigations in an appropriate way.

“It is also the case that the police now take very seriously allegations which are of a potentially criminal nature and in some areas work with other authorities to ensure that civil injunctions and orders are used where a criminal charge cannot be progressed.

“Violence, harassment and hate crime have no place in 21st century higher education. The taskforce’s recommendations should help to ensure that universities are safe places in which to study and work for both students and staff.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts
3. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk