Session 43: Workshop: Working with survivors of sexual misconduct to improve the LJMU experience

Abstract

There is an increasing regulatory focus on harassment and sexual violence on campuses across the UK, with the OfS looking to impose further conditions on universities in the coming year. Student Advice and Wellbeing have developed a professional and supportive service designed to meet the needs of our students - but the student voice is vital in ensuring that we are providing appropriately focused, trauma-informed services.

The session intends to highlight how the provision of support to students who have experienced sexual misconduct and violence can be further developed and improved by using the student voice on a number of different levels. Included in this session will be the JMSU Survivors society, the VP Community and Wellbeing, and colleagues from Student Advice and Wellbeing who specialise in this work. There will be an opportunity to hear of the many initiatives that are underway to ensure that the university and the student body work together on this agenda.

Delegates can expect to come away with increased knowledge of the work that is done to support students within LJMU, how trauma informed practise is delivered operationally and to have an increased understanding of the impact of sexual violence on our university community. The use of the new Report and Support platform will form part of the session and data will be shared around the numbers of disclosures received and resources will be available to assist colleagues awareness.

This area of work enhances the student experience across all areas. Any incident of sexual misconduct or violence can have a significant effect on the ability of a student to continue with their studies. The university must do all it can to reduce the incidence of such events and, when incidents do occur, to provide swift and effective support for those affected.

Working with survivors of sexual misconduct to improve the LJMU experience PowerPoint. Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.