Oxford criticises sex complaints hotline

OXFORD University has questioned its great rival Cambridge over its sex complaints hotline, suggesting it will deter victims from seeking proper help.

The anonymous hotline was launched by Cambridge University, amid much fanfare, in May last year. Cambridge said on Monday it had a “significant problem” with sexual misconduct and disclosed that 173 complaints had been made to the hotline.

But Oxford said in a statement yesterday that it had concerns about the use of an anonymous reporting system.

The university said such a system could mean victims phoned the hotline thinking that was enough, and did not bother to go to the proper authorities – both police and counsellors – for help. It is also feared the system encourages vexatious complaints that cannot be properly tested.

Oxford said it had no plans to introduce such a system. It added: “Anonymised reporting may deter people from seeking confidential help and personal support at a time of distress and afterwards, and it could also influence the extent to which there is appropriate intervention, investigation or disciplinary action.”