FOI_25-214 Reports of Sexual Misconduct 2023-24 and 2024-25
Date of response: 20 August 2025
We have now considered your request of 15 July 2025 for the following information:
Question 1. How many reports were made in the academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25 concerning sexual assault or sexual harassment (this may be recorded as sexual misconduct) of students by fellow students?
Our response:
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 (up to 15 July 2025) |
|---|---|
| 15 | 27 |
Question 2. How many reports were made in the academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25 concerning sexual assault or sexual harassment (this may be recorded as sexual misconduct) of students by university staff?
Our response:
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 (up to 15 July 2025) |
|---|---|
| 8 | 5 |
Question 3. Of these reports, how many investigations have concluded, and how many have resulted in disciplinary action?
Our response:
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 (up to 15 July 2025) |
|---|---|
| 4 Concluded 1 Resulted in disciplinary action | 8 Concluded 4 Resulted in disciplinary action |
In some instances, the reporter did not wish to proceed with a formal disciplinary investigation and therefore no investigations were started against the accused perpetrator. There are also reports made anonymously which do not name or identify the individual that the complaint is against, meaning that further investigation is not possible in those circumstances.
Please also not that students and staff are investigated not for the reported incident, but for whether the individual breached General Regulations for students – specifically regulations 10.1.18.1 and 10.1.18.2, or whether they were in breach of staff codes of conduct.
Investigations are conducted to determine whether a student or staff has breached those regulations or code of conduct.
N.B As of the date of your request, a number of investigations are still in progress and had not concluded or reached a decision on whether disciplinary action was to be taken.
Question 4. Does your institution have a policy that prohibits intimate relationships between staff and students?
If so, could you please confirm the date this policy was implemented?
Our response:
No. The University does not have a policy which prohibits intimate relationships between staff and students, as some of our staff and students are in marital or cohabiting/long term relationships.
We do have a policy on Personal Relationships between Staff and Students, which provides clear requirements in relation to ensuring safeguarding and addressing conflicts of interest. This policy was last reviewed in October 2024.