Thousands of students report sexual violence at university

"Thousands of students have reported being victims of sexual violence and harassment in the first sector-wide survey of sexual misconduct at universities in England. The Office for Students (OfS) said 14% of students responding to its survey reported being victims of sexual violence - which included rape, attempted rape and unwanted touching. One in four students who responded reported experiencing sexual harassment. And 1.5% of respondents reported having been in an intimate relationship with a staff member."

"Women and lesbian, gay and bisexual students were more likely to have experienced both sexual violence and harassment than their male and straight peers, the survey suggests. All final year undergraduate students in England were asked to fill out the survey, with 52,000 responding. It is the first nationwide study of its kind, one which campaigners say they have been calling for since 2010."

"Women were nearly three times more likely to experience sexual harassment than men, and more than twice as likely to experience sexual assault, the OfS said. Nearly half - 47% - of lesbian, gay and bisexual students reported sexual harassment, compared to 22% of heterosexual students. A spokesperson for Universities UK, which represents over 140 institutions, said universities were "determined to tackle sexual harassment", adding that "this powerful data puts universities in a stronger position to prevent assault and harassment, support students and improve r"

A sector-wide survey of final-year undergraduates in England received 52,000 responses. 14% reported sexual violence including rape, attempted rape, and unwanted touching. 25% reported sexual harassment such as unwanted sexually suggestive comments, exposure, or unsolicited images. 1.5% reported intimate relationships with staff. Women were nearly three times more likely than men to experience sexual harassment and more than twice as likely to experience sexual assault. 47% of lesbian, gay and bisexual students reported sexual harassment compared with 22% of heterosexual students. Universities UK stated universities are determined to tackle sexual harassment.

Read at www.bbc.com