Goldsmiths launches initiative to address sexual violence, harassment and misconduct
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A DRIVE to address sexual violence, harassment and misconduct has today been launched at Goldsmiths, University of London.
The Against Sexual Violence initiative includes the Report and Support online reporting tool, training for students and staff and new policies and working practices to help challenge myths and change cultures on campus.
Developed in partnership with Goldsmiths Students’ Union (SU), Goldsmiths University and College Union (Goldsmiths UCU) and Goldsmiths UNISON, it provides a unified response to these critical issues.
The College has also worked with external partners including Rape Crisis South London to help shape our response.
The action is based on a three-step approach to end all forms of sexual violence at Goldsmiths.
Report and Support
The Report and Support website allows anyone who has experienced sexual violence, harassment, misconduct, stalking or domestic violence to report incidents. These reports can be either submitted with personal details or anonymously. The College has dedicated and trained response teams who are committed to taking action where appropriate.
Staff and students ready to help
Training is being rolled out across campus, with staff training sessions for the Senior Management Team and everyone in academic departments and professional services employees. For students, the SU is running a peer-to-peer bystander intervention programme.
Changing cultures on campus
New policies and working practices will help change cultures around sexual violence, harassment and misconduct.
The initiative marks a milestone in the College’s work in this area and brings together efforts made across campus over the last year. The work has been led by Deputy Warden Elisabeth Hill and Strategy and Review Manager – Sexual Harassment, Vicki Baars, whose blog documents many of the actions including the establishment of a Sexual Harassment Advisory Board, whose members have been drawn from across College and included representatives from UCU and UNISON.
The work also includes input from experts from outside Goldsmiths, such as Rape Crisis South London, and builds on recommendations from Higher Education umbrella group Universities UK.
Warden of Goldsmiths Patrick Loughrey said: “Sexual violence in all its forms is sadly pervasive throughout society. In common with many other organisations in our sector and beyond, Goldsmiths has experienced unacceptable behaviours.
“We are addressing these issues through the work of everyone on campus. The launch of our report and support website marks an important step in our ongoing ambition to eradicate these behaviours at Goldsmiths, with our extensive training programme and new policies and practices supporting our objectives further.
“We will continue working to address these issues both on campus and beyond. Recent events across the world have shown just how crucial this work is, and our staff, students and alumni have the ability and opportunity to play a leading role in tackling sexual violence, harassment and misconduct.”