This one day online conference focuses on next steps for policy, regulation and action within the higher education sector aimed at improving the prevention of sexual harassment and misconduct within UK HEIs.

Areas for discussion include enhancing support provided to victims, strengthening reporting mechanisms, and what best practice should look like moving forward.

The conference is bringing together policymakers and stakeholders to discuss issues in the context of policy ambitions, laid out by the new Government in the King’s Speech, to introduce a new criminal offence for spiking, and to tackle sexual harassment and violence against women and girls more widely.

It follows the Office for Students' new registration condition on harassment and sexual misconduct, published in September 2024. Delegates will discuss priorities, challenges and best practice for maintaining comprehensive policies and procedures, standardising definitions of harassment and misconduct, and appropriately regulating staff-student relationships.

With the OfS emphasising the importance of multi-agency coordination and inclusivity, we expect the agenda to bring out latest thinking on strategies to improve the safety of university campuses and towns, including enhancing partnerships with policing and mental health services, drawing on best practice and recent stakeholder initiatives.

Attendees will consider findings of the OfS’ Sexual Misconduct Prevalence Poll, published in July 2024, which highlighted significant issues regarding staff-student relationships and pressures faced by students. The conference will look at strategies for ensuring understanding among staff and students, and developing better awareness of sexual harassment and misconduct on university campuses, including the future for targeted campaigns.

Sessions will examine progress and remaining priorities for strengthening reporting mechanisms and keeping pace with trends in student reports of sexual harassment. Delegates will evaluate the effectiveness of whistleblowing policies and protections, complaints processes, as well as approaches to enhancing institutional transparency and building student and staff confidence in processes, as outlined in Universities UK's guidance How to handle alleged student misconduct: case studies, published in March 2024. The impact of the ban on HEIs using non-disclosure agreements related to such allegations will also be considered.

Further discussion is expected on strategies for improving reputation and influencing cultural change at an institutional level, looking at strengthening leadership and governance to improve accountability, promoting cultural change, and increasing transparency in decision-making processes.

Overall, areas for discussion include:
• policy: government plans for legislation on spiking - tackling violence against women and girls - implications for HEIs
• regulation: implementation of the OfS harassment and misconduct conditions - HEI policy clarity and organisation - standardising definitions - addressing emerging trends - data-informed policies
• reporting: opportunities for improving current systems - whistleblowing policies and protection - securing fairness and transparency - building student and staff confidence
• staff-student relationships: addressing issues highlighted in the OfS's prevalence poll - setting clear boundaries - promoting awareness including targeted campaigns
• promoting positive change: strengthening leadership and accountability - promoting cultural shifts - increasing transparency in decision-making
• campus safety: implementing multi-agency approaches - enhancing mental health support - fostering inclusivity on campus
• off-campus safety: strategies and practical measures - partnerships with local services and communities - non-university student accommodation - the role of HEIs in wider community safety
• collaboration: improving coordination with police and mental health services - joint-university pledges - sharing best practice.