The main reason students report staff sexual misconduct is to protect themselves and others and to be able to continue with their studies. This simple fact should be centred in any institutional response to address staff sexual misconduct in higher education.
Unfortunately the standard way sexual misconduct cases are carried out are centred on the disciplinary case against the reported staff member (or student) rather than on the academic and support needs of those reporting misconduct, who are frequently left in the dark.
This week has seen a case at the University of Kent – reported in Times Higher Education – in which students who came forward with complaints of sexual misconduct against a member of staff believe the university has not offered them sufficient support as complainants.
What is reported in the press is inevitably only one part of the story and we can’t draw conclusions about the specifics of the case itself. But it is a salutary reminder that conducting an investigation into potential misconduct following a complaint involves not only giving the accused staff member a fair process, but ensuring those making the complaint are kept informed, offered pastoral support, and especially where a complaint is partially or fully upheld, are offered the appropriate remedy. If these steps are not taken, complainants may be left feeling uninformed and unsafe – and may advise other affected students that complaining is not worth the risk.
