UCU blasts ‘failure’ to tackle sexual violence in universities

Union says one in 10 staff responding to survey have experienced workplace sexual violence

The University and College Union has accused universities of “institutional failure” after one in 10 respondents to a survey reported they had experienced sexual violence in the workplace.

UCU’s survey of its members garnered nearly 4,000 responses, with 12 per cent of women and 5 per cent of men working in colleges and universities saying they had directly experienced workplace sexual violence, including unwanted sexual advances and unnecessary touching over the past five years.