Abstract
Introduction
Sexual violence and harassment is unfortunately prevalent at UK Universities, impacting the health, wellbeing, academic attainment and participation of students within university life, particularly for young women. Two previous research projects ran at the University (I Heart Consent Campaign evaluation (2015-2017) and HEFCE/ OFS New Spaces Project (2017-2018) have illustrated how sexual violence and harassment is prevalent within HE and provided recommendations which influenced the development of a new sexual violence and harassment policy, consent campaign, as well as related procedures, support and report resources. This URB@N-funded, student-led project aimed to enhance the student voice by allowing students to evaluate the accessibility, visibility and format of the new implemented policies, procedures, campaigns and to provide suggestions for improvement in tackling these issues.
Method
University of Northampton students were recruited through opportunity sampling and in-depth, qualitative, focus group interviews were employed. Students were guided through University resources in this area on laptops and asked to comment on aspects such as accessibility, visibility and usefulness, as well as discussing and provide recommendations for improvement. Transcripts from the focus groups were analysed using Thematic Analysis to establish key themes.
Results
An overview of provisional results from the project will be provided, alongside recommendations for enhancing the student voice with work in this area. Findings will be distributed to the Consent Campaign Planning Group which involves members of the student support, Residential Life and the Students’ Union, while being used to influence ongoing work in this area at the University.
Conclusions
Implications for future research and for existing sexual violence report and support, processes, policies and prevention campaigns will be provided. This will include wider recommendations for the Higher Education sector in taking action against these issues.
Sexual violence and harassment is unfortunately prevalent at UK Universities, impacting the health, wellbeing, academic attainment and participation of students within university life, particularly for young women. Two previous research projects ran at the University (I Heart Consent Campaign evaluation (2015-2017) and HEFCE/ OFS New Spaces Project (2017-2018) have illustrated how sexual violence and harassment is prevalent within HE and provided recommendations which influenced the development of a new sexual violence and harassment policy, consent campaign, as well as related procedures, support and report resources. This URB@N-funded, student-led project aimed to enhance the student voice by allowing students to evaluate the accessibility, visibility and format of the new implemented policies, procedures, campaigns and to provide suggestions for improvement in tackling these issues.
Method
University of Northampton students were recruited through opportunity sampling and in-depth, qualitative, focus group interviews were employed. Students were guided through University resources in this area on laptops and asked to comment on aspects such as accessibility, visibility and usefulness, as well as discussing and provide recommendations for improvement. Transcripts from the focus groups were analysed using Thematic Analysis to establish key themes.
Results
An overview of provisional results from the project will be provided, alongside recommendations for enhancing the student voice with work in this area. Findings will be distributed to the Consent Campaign Planning Group which involves members of the student support, Residential Life and the Students’ Union, while being used to influence ongoing work in this area at the University.
Conclusions
Implications for future research and for existing sexual violence report and support, processes, policies and prevention campaigns will be provided. This will include wider recommendations for the Higher Education sector in taking action against these issues.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 23 Jun 2022 |
