From 1 August, the Office for Students (OfS) has introduced a new regulatory condition (E6) requiring universities to take stronger action to protect students from harassment and sexual misconduct. Find out what we’re doing to make students feel safe and supported.
No one should have to experience harassment or sexual misconduct in the course of their work or studies, and anyone who does experience this deserves to be supported and taken seriously. We are building on our long-standing efforts to prevent such behaviours and ensure robust support is in place for anyone affected by harassment or sexual misconduct in our community.
From 1 August, the Office for Students (OfS) has introduced a new regulatory condition (E6) requiring universities to take stronger action to protect students from harassment and sexual misconduct. Teams across UCL have been working to ensure we are not only meeting these requirements, but we are going further to continue to embed a culture of prevention, accountability, and care.
We are taking a whole-institution approach to embed lasting change. Find out more information below about some of the work that is ongoing as part of this:
- This training is a core part of the induction for all students across UCL. We-ll be sending out more information in the coming weeks to all students about this mandatory training. We’ve also sent out information to all departments on booking the training for their students.
Building on successful initiatives, such as our leading Active Bystander Programme which is the largest of its kind in the UK and has already trained over 50,000 students, mandatory training will be in place for all students from the start of this academic year.
Accessible information and clear policies:
- It helps outline to our students all the policies and procedures that are in place to prevent this behaviour, and to tackle it when it does occur.
- Support pathways
- Reporting tools
- Data and data use
- Investigations
- Training and guidance
- Personal relationships
- Freedom of Speech (including Non-Disclosure Agreements)
- Feedback
- Policies and procedures
- Significantly reducing waiting times to access support (since January 2025, 99% of student reports have been triaged in two working days)
- Introducing confidential messaging that you can opt into whilst remaining anonymous
- Investing significantly in the expert teams that support students once they have made a report
- All these staff have been trained in handling sensitive disclosures, and we invest in a range of training for them including from external specialist organisations such as Rape Crisis, Survivors Network and Stamp Out Spiking.
- We’ve recently invested significantly in expanding the expert teams that support students. Over two years ago, we were one of the first universities to introduce dedicated roles, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, to support our community. We have now increased this team, as well as expanding by over a third the team that deals with any cases that students report.
- We will be rolling out a new mandatory training module to all staff on Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Personal Relationships in September, which we will be sharing more information about soon including how departments can ensure completion within their teams.
We have published a new single-source webpage which provides clear, practical guidance on how to prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct.
It includes information about:
Report + Support uses a consistent, trauma-informed, and survivor-centred approach to help students and staff report any incidents, and access any help needed.
Following an in-depth review and consultation with students last year, we worked with experts to improve the system. Improvements include:
A new triaging process sending student reports directly to Student Support and Wellbeing Services and ensuring the right support from the right team is provided as quickly as possible
We recently shared more information for students about these improvements, and more information for staff about related improvements to staff reporting and processes.
Comprehensive support services are freely available for those affected by harassment and sexual misconduct and for those in supporting roles. Student Support and Wellbeing Services consists of over 200 dedicated professionals who offer a confidential, non-judgmental space for students to discuss issues or concerns.
We continue to seek ways to improve how we can support our community. This included conducting a pilot of a new Saturday service of additional support on campus over the critical central assessment period.
The Students- Union also offers a free, confidential and independent Advice Service which supports students on a range of issues. The Students- Union also has dedicated Sexual Violence Liaison Officers who can provide support for students who have experienced sexual violence and abuse.
To support staff, we have newly-expanded our Student Triage and Referral Tool which is the best way to help with appropriately advising, signposting and supporting students, if you’re worried about their wellbeing.
We have also revised our Personal Relationships Policy. The revised policy brings more staff in scope for the prohibition of intimate relationships and close friendships with students, so that we can further protect our students from potential abuses of power. This complements the already revised Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Continuing collaboration with our students:
- We will continue to ensure different voices are heard, and that our responses and work are shaped by these. We work in close partnership with our students, our Student Union, staff community and external experts.
- For example, the recent improvements to Report + Support were the result of a review we ran last year. We worked closely with students, including the Students- Union, to understand what changes were needed, and we will continue to listen.
- University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT (0) 20 7679 2000
