Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, launched the Higher Education Authority’s new plan to address sexual violence and harassment in higher education institutions this week.
The plan responds directly to the recommendations that emerged from the national surveys of student and staff experiences of sexual violence and harassment in higher education, conducted by the HEA in 2021. It was developed in collaboration with the HEA’s expert Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in HEIs.
Commenting on the plan, Dr Allison Kenneally, SETU’s Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commented, “I warmly welcome the announcement made by Minister Simon Harris to provide ring fenced funding for new posts across the sector, which will be dedicated to tackling sexual harassment and violence. This has the potential to make a very real and positive impact across our universities and demonstrates the undoubted commitment of Minister Harris to tackle this issue.
“At SETU we have implemented a range of initiatives designed to tackle sexual harassment and violence in all its forms and we look forward to continuing this important work into the future."
The ambitious plan represents a holistic and multifaceted response to the survey findings through the inclusion of 19 actions, to be delivered at institutional and national level, by key stakeholders between now and the end of 2024.
The actions set out in the plan encompass awareness-raising, education and training for staff and students, specific initiatives to target high-risk and hard-to-reach groups, further research, and a review of the outcomes set out in the national policy framework that was published in 2019.
The reports of the national surveys indicated concerning levels of sexual harassment and violence in higher education, highlighting an urgent need for action. Female students were particularly likely to experience sexual harassment and violence, and a relatively high level of exposure was found among gender non-binary students, bisexuals, students who were gay, lesbian or queer, and students with a disability. Worryingly, a low level of student respondents agreed that they knew where to go to get help on campus.
The survey report also points to more promising findings, including positive attitudes and intentions among of the vast majority of students and staff, and opportunities to build on progress achieved to date.
One action already underway for the month of October is the #UnmuteConsent national campaign, which aims to mobilise students to learn more about consent, personal responsibility, and how they can make a difference.
Minister Harris, on launching the plan said, “We listened to what students and staff in our Higher Education institutions had to say, and we have a plan that responds directly to the issues raised. There is no room in our higher education institutions nor our society for the tolerance of any kind of sexual violence or harassment. I am confident that this plan will go towards driving further awareness and delivering safe and tolerant places for learning and work. I want to thank all those involved in bringing forward this implementation plan, and in particular the staff and students who responded to the survey, sometimes having to speak about experiences that have been hurtful and traumatic to them. I want to thank them for their bravery in speaking out and assure them we are working to ensure there is zero tolerance for this behaviour."
CEO of the Higher Education Authority, Dr Alan Wall, said, “Not only will the delivery of the implementation plan to end sexual violence and sexual harassment in HEIs support the achievement of our vision of an institutional campus culture which is safe, respectful and supportive, it will contribute towards a culture shift in higher education that has the potential to catalyse transformative change in our wider society.”