Rape and sex assault complaints at universities have TREBLED in just three years, new figures showSex abuse allegations at universities rose from 476 in 2016/17 to 1,436 in 2018/19Seventy-five offered specialist support, while 33 employed investigators to helpUniversities UK says more needs to be done but there is increasing awarenessThe Solicitor General urges universities to look ‘very carefully’ at how they copeBy Eleanor Harding Education Editor For The Daily Mail Published: 17:57 EDT, 3 October 2019 | Updated: 04:05 EDT, 4 October 2019 Solicitor General Michael Ellis urges universities to ‘look very carefully at how they are handling these matters’ of sexual abuseAllegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment at universities have more than trebled in just three years.The huge increase comes after many universities made it easier for students to file complaints – a change promised in 2016 in response to growing concern about sexual violence on campus.A BBC survey of 157 universities found the number of allegations recorded by 124 of them soared from 476 in 2016/17 to 1,436 in 2018/19 – suggesting the true total would be even higher if they had all responded to its Freedom of Information request.Universities UK, which speaks for 130 institutions, published a series of recommendations in 2016 to prevent sexual harassment and violence among students, and to improve their response to victims.A spokesman said last night: ‘Students and staff must feel able to report an incident with the confidence that it will be addressed, and an increase in disclosures suggests more willingness to report as well as a growing awareness about what constitutes sexual misconduct. The number of sexual abuse allegations across UK universities has trebled – with statistics in the BBC survey revealing there were 476 recorded in 2016/17 and this jumped to 1,436 in 2018/19 (stock photo of Oxford)‘Our own research shows that while universities are making progress, more must be done.’Of those universities replying to the BBC, 75 provided victims with specialist support, while 33 said they employed investigators to look into incidents.However, campaigners say university bosses have not gone far enough and need to lay on even greater support for students.Yesterday, the research was discussed by MPs in the Commons. Solicitor General Michael Ellis said: ‘I would urge universities to look very carefully at how they are handling these matters.‘It’s a particularly sensitive issue which they should handle with professional assistance.’Seventy-five of the universities which replied to the BBC’s survey provided victims with specialist support, while 33 said they employed investigators to look into incidents (file image)
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Rape and sex assault complaints at universities have TREBLED in just three years, new figures show
