Cambridge University has revised its disciplinary guidelines on reporting sexual assault and harassment, following criticism over its failure to protect students from sexual violence.
The new policy, which would allow victims to formally report allegations of sexual violence to the university for the first time, was welcomed by the National Union of Students (NUS) and by lawyers who believe the university’s previous guidelines to be unlawful.
However, it remains unclear whether, and in which circumstances, the university will now investigate allegations of sexual assault or harassment.
An investigation by the Guardian in May found that fewer than half of Russell group universities monitor the extent of sexual violence against students, while one in six publishes guidelines on reporting such allegations.
Last year, a survey by Cambridge University Students’ Union reported that 77% of respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment, 30% said they had experienced sexual assault and that the majority of such assaults went unreported.
Brooke Longhurst, a graduate student and founder of the We Support Women In Sport project at Cambridge University, said of the new guidelines: “This means more security to individual victims of sexual assault and sexual violence. There is definite merit to using the criminal justice system, however in the minority of cases that are not dropped due to a lack of evidence by police, it takes on average two years to be completed.”
She said that she hoped the university would begin to investigate in certain cases.
Susuana Amoah, NUS women’s officer, said: “It’s great to see Cambridge University proudly working with students to develop their disciplinary code of conduct and outlining sexual assault as a part of it. Hopefully other universities will be inspired by this action and work closely with staff, students and local specialist services such as Rape Crisis to shape better policy.”
Charlotte Chorley, the women’s officer at Cambridge, said the move by the central university was an “important first step” in ensuring sexual harassment policies were in place across all colleges within the university. She said: “The Women’s Campaign have a key priority this year to get policies in all colleges, and it is a good step that the university is taking this into consideration – even if it has taken far too long.”
Lawyers said that Cambridge University’s previous policy, in line with that of many UK universities, appeared to follow guidance set out in the 1994 Zellick report that advised universities against investigating “serious” criminal offences and said that disciplinary action should follow only in cases where police were involved.
Louise Whitfield, of Deighton Pierce Glynn, has written a legal briefing suggesting that such policies could be unlawful. She said it was crucial that the university apply the guidelines to investigate sexual assaults.
“The university must be genuinely committed to investigating and taking appropriate action in relation to sexual assaults,” she said.
“The Zellick guidelines reflect an unlawful approach that predates the Human Rights Act and Equality Act and they fail to take into account the universities’ obligation to protect female students.”
Asked if the new guidelines meant the university would now investigate certain sexual assaults or harassment allegations, a Cambridge University spokesman said he could not specify the details of the procedures as they were still being finalised. He said: “We regularly review our policies to ensure they are in keeping with our aim to offer students the best possible support.
“As a result, the university has revised its disciplinary code of conduct so that it encompasses harassment, including sexual assault. We worked closely with student representatives to produce a new set of guidelines and to signpost the support that already exists across the university and the colleges. In addition, the university sports committee has agreed to develop codes of conduct to support gender equality and ensure exemplary standards of behaviour.”
