Tackling sexual misconduct in universities isn’t optional - it’s essential

"Tackling sexual misconduct in universities isn't optional - it's essential. As a university leader, I've come to understand how widespread sexual misconduct on campus is - and why change is urgent" writes (UCL President & Provost Professor Michael Arthur). Last year, members of my senior management team were asked to publicly describe our most recent consensual sexual experience. All around the room, jaws dropped, eyes darted to the floor and we shifted uncomfortably in our seats. The hypothetical question was posed during a Rape Crisis South London workshop and was deeply humbling. While we, as university leaders, felt deep discomfort at the prospect of sharing our recent consensual sexual experiences with our colleagues, we could not begin to understand how traumatic or excruciating it would be to recount non-consensual experiences such as sexual harassment and assault. As academics, we are trained to focus on data and processes.