Over a third of student women face sexual harassment

Submitted by Matthew on 24 September, 2014 - 11:03 Author: Charlotte Zalens

Thirty-seven per cent of student women say they have faced sexual harassment at university according to an NUS report.

This is an extraordinarily high figure, given that it’s about harassment within only a few years of a woman’s life.

The report also found that two-thirds of respondents had witnessed others tolerate unwanted sexual comments and the same number witnessed the telling of rape or sexual assault jokes in a university environment. More than a third were aware of promotional materials around university that had sexualised images of women.

A second year student reported the use of “Almost cartoon-like images of women with large breasts and bum, very skinny and the ‘clothing’ usually fancy dress type or topless, always revealing, and posing provocatively. Usually advertising a clubbing event etc.”

Three fifths of students were not aware of any policies at their university or students’ union regarding sexual harassment or assault. The report also found that women respondents were significantly more likely than men to not report harassment for fear of not being believed.

This reflects sexism in society in general, where lack of belief of victim’s reports contributes to under reporting of sexual harassment and assault.

Some universities have announced they will be starting compulsory consent training for all students. This seems to be coming from the right place.

However there is a world of difference between lectures on sexual behaviour and an empowering conversation about what consent means.

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