Cambridge uncovers 173 harassment cases

LONDON : An awareness campaign launched by the University of Cambridge in October 2017 has uncovered 173 cases of sexual misconduct on campus, even as varsities across the United Kingdom take steps to deal with the issue.

Cambridge pro-vice-chancellor Graham Virgo said the 173 reports until January 31 were received after an anonymous reporting tool was introduced.

Most were student-on-student cases, while seven were by staff against colleagues and two by students against staff.

“We expected high numbers, and view it as a metric of success. It appears victims have confidence in our promise that these figures will be used to judge the nature and scale of sexual misconduct affecting students and staff, and to act on it accordingly," Virgo said.

“It supports our belief that we have a significant problem involving sexual misconduct – what we now need to ensure is that those who have been affected receive the support and guidance they need.”

The data gathered, Virgo said, was anonymous and some of it will be historic.

“Challenging sexual misconduct is not only the right thing to do for the safety and well-being of staff and students.

“Universities are in a unique position to instil a zero tolerance approach to misconduct in their students which they can take with them into the future,” he added.

MOST WERE STUDENTONSTUDENT CASES, WHILE SEVEN WERE BY STAFF AGAINST COLLEAGUES AND TWO WERE BY STUDENTS AGAINST STAFF.