Durham'S Safe Education Champions New Bill To Combat Campus Sexual Violence

Introducing the Duty of Care Bill

Durham University’s Safe Education group, a determined student-led campaign, is making waves with its efforts to tackle sexual violence on campus. This passionate group is championing a statutory Duty of Care bill that would hold universities legally responsible for safeguarding students. This means universities would need to proactively address known risks and respond appropriately to vulnerabilities – a commitment akin to the legal protections provided in workplaces and schools.

On Tuesday, January 13th, Safe Education secured a second debate with the help of ForThe100 and TimeToAct at Cardiff University, aiming to push this crucial conversation into the heart of Parliament.

“Some universities can invest heavily in preventative measures whereas others can implement near to nothing,” shared Oliwia Charowska, founder of Safe Education, highlighting the disparity in university policies.

Current University Responsibilities

Presently, without the bill, universities have no standardized Duty of Care, leading to inconsistent policies that leave students vulnerable. This lack of uniformity means universities aren't legally required to act if they become aware of risks related to sexual assault. Instead, the current duty revolves around providing a 'reasonable' standard of teaching and pastoral support.

A study by the Palatinate revealed a concerning oversight at Durham, where 7,000 students did not complete a 'compulsory' consent course – a training that holds no legal weight and leaves students at risk.

The Unified Voice for Change

Safe Education, alongside UK-based grassroots campaign group ForThe100, consisting of Safe Education, Sex?OnCampus, and TimeToAct, is driven by a shared frustration over universities' lack of accountability. Oliwia, witnessing the magnitude of the issue at Durham, joined forces with other university groups to illuminate this broader national concern.

Durham University has commented on its Duty of Care, stating their commitment to providing teaching, learning support, and pastoral care to a reasonable standard. However, the statement also emphasized the limitations of this support, highlighting the need for clear boundaries and internal support systems.

A Vision for the Future

The push for a statutory Duty of Care aims to bring recognition to the significant issue of sexual violence faced by university students. By proposing trauma-informed legislation, Safe Education hopes to alleviate the burden of responsibility from students, ensuring their protection is enshrined in law.

With a proposed sanction matrix, the bill seeks to establish a 'bare minimum' standard that would define consequences for failing to protect students. This could encourage survivors to come forward, knowing that justice may finally be within reach.

About Safe Education

Founded by Durham graduate Oliwia Charowska, Safe Education passionately advocates for student safety on campus. Inspired by survivor testimonies and disturbed by the prevalence of sexual violence at universities, Oliwia's initiative aims to standardize university policies nationwide.

Safe Education's mission is not limited to Durham – it addresses a pervasive issue across the country, collaborating with similar groups to urge the government to implement a legal, statutory Duty of Care.