health
Sexual harassment more than twice as prevalent at England’s top universities, analysis finds
Harassment reported by 35% of students at ‘high tariff’ institutions compared with 17% at those with lowest entry grades
TL;DR
- 35% of students at 'high tariff' universities experienced sexual harassment, compared to 17% at 'lower tariff' institutions.
- Students in high-entry grade courses like medicine, dentistry, and languages at high-tariff universities reported higher rates of sexual harassment and assault.
- The Russell Group, a collection of research-intensive universities, is largely encompassed by the 'high tariff' sector.
- Unions and experts expressed alarm, linking prevalence at prestigious institutions to potential reproduction of toxic cultures and risks for future professionals.
- Living away from home was identified as a factor increasing students' exposure to sexual harassment and assault.
- Women reported markedly higher rates of harassment and assault than men across all categories.
- Women with disabilities also reported attacks at higher rates.