Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Project to boost campus safety and Zero Tolerance culture
The University, in partnership with Leeds Beckett Students’ Union, has been awarded a grant of £38,000 by The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)’s Catalyst Fund, which is supporting 64 projects across the country aimed at tackling sexual violence, harassment and hate crime. Leeds Beckett and the Students’ Union will additionally match-fund the project, bringing the total funding to £76,000.
This project will enhance existing activity across Leeds Beckett Students’ Union and the University to educate students and change behaviours with respect to sexual harassment and assault. The project will enable a partnership approach that brings the National Union of Students (NUS)’s Zero Tolerance work together with an institutional commitment to foster a safe campus and a culture of accountability.
Students will be at the heart of the project as thorough student consultation will take place throughout the year-long project. The team also aims to recruit a student to work with them on the project through a placement opportunity or internship.
Priscilla Preston, Director of Services for Students at Leeds Beckett (pictured above), said: “We are delighted that monies from the HEFCE catalyst fund will further enhance our partnership work with the Students’ Union to ensure our community is a safe and open environment. We will work to promote a no-bystanders culture across our campus to ensure people feel able to challenge and report unacceptable behaviour and where victims feel able to seek support if they have experienced sexual harassment, assault or rape.
“By delivering enhanced awareness-raising of the subject area, enhanced profile of our policy position and improved disclosure routes, we will be able to provide support for more student victims across the board. However, we acknowledge that one particular group we wish to mindful of is our LGBT community, and in particular transgender students, as we work to make explicit our commitment in policy and practice to supporting trans students.”
The HEFCE funding is in response to a report by Universities UK which explored the nature and scale of the problem of sexual violence and harassment in higher education, and highlighted the need for institutions to respond more effectively.
HEFCE Chief Executive, Professor Madeleine Atkins, said: “All students should feel safe and supported during their time in higher education. Universities and colleges are working hard to tackle issues of sexual harassment and violence on campus, but there is more to be done. Their determination and commitment is evident in the overwhelmingly positive response to HEFCE’s Catalyst Fund call.
“We are delighted to be supporting a range of innovative projects, and we will be looking to share good practice and evidence of successful outcomes over the coming months."