Exeter Provost joins high-level taskforce to tackle harassment on university campuses

The influential taskforce, set up by Universities UK, will explore what more can be done by universities across the country to prevent students from becoming victims of harassment and hate crimes on campus.

The taskforce has been established following a request from Jo Johnson MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, in September 2015.

Professor Janice Kay commented: “I am honoured to have been invited to be part of this important taskforce. It is a fundamental aspect of university life that everyone should feel safe, secure and welcomed at all times. The taskforce has been charged with ensuring that universities have robust procedures in place to stamp out any form of harassment, and provide the ideal environment in which every student can be allowed to flourish.”

The main objective of the new initiative will be to support institutions in ensuring that every university campus provides an inclusive culture, as well as a safe, tolerant and welcoming environment for students.

It will also ensure universities have in place robust policies and processes to identify and respond both quickly and efficiently to any incidents of harassment that are reported to them.

Although the taskforce will address all forms of harassment, it will have a particular focus on addressing so-called ‘lad culture’ and violence against women, and will support a cross-government strategy to end violence against women and girls.

At the announcement of the taskforce being established Universities Minister, Jo Johnson said: “Universities already take their responsibilities for the safety of all students incredibly seriously. They have strong clear legal duties through the Equalities Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. This task force will make sure that the universities are doing all they can to meet their legal obligations and will see where they can go further.”