13 Deferred

Strengthen Office for Students' mandatory university requirements for tackling sexual harassment and violence.

Recommendation
The higher education sector has made progress in tackling sexual harassment and sexual violence, but that progress has been inconsistent and slow. The Office for Students (OfS) has committed to a new condition of registration which will place mandatory obligations on universities to tackle sexual harassment and sexual violence, which we endorse. The OfS should not miss the opportunity to strengthen its requirements of universities.
Government Response Summary
The government notes that the OfS's public consultation results on mandatory obligations for universities to tackle sexual harassment will be published soon, with new measures in force in 2024.
Paragraph Reference
70
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government Deferred
16. The Department for Education expects all universities to have policies and procedures to comply with the law, including responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010. Many universities provide bystander training. The results of the Office for Students’ public consultation will be published soon and new measures in force in 2024.
Addressee Bodies
Government Equalities Office
Timeline
Recommendation age 2.9 yrs
Report published 05 Jul 2023