Tackling Sexual Harassment on your Campus Sarah Kerton

Structure What is sexual harassment? Why should it matter to course reps? How can you start to tackle it? How can you work with your union?

What is sexual harassment? Sexual harassment can include: unwanted groping pinching or smacking of your body uninvited kisses or bodily contact It isn't just physical. Other examples: wolfwhistling catcalling inappropriate sexual comments sexually based insults, jokes, songs or taunts

What is sexual harassment? NUS Hidden Marks (2010) 65% of respondents had experienced one or more forms of verbal harassment on campus 34% had experienced one or more of forms of physical harassment NUS That’s What She Said (2013) 50% of study participants identified "prevailing sexism, 'laddism' and a culture of harassment" at their universities

What is sexual harassment? ‘Lad culture’ - a group or ‘pack’ mentality residing in activities such as sport and heavy alcohol consumption, and ‘banter’ which was often sexist, misogynist and homophobic. It’s not JUST about students. Sexual harassment can happen to staff too, and can be perpetrated by them also.

Why does this matter to course reps? Well-being of your community Ability for all students to engage fully in campus life Creating inclusive learning environments Where might you find sexual harassment on your campus?

Problem + Solution Trees The following scenarios are drawn from real-life examples faced by students as evidenced in NUS research. In groups; imagine a student has come to you with the following example. 1.Work out the core problem 2.Identify the causes and effects 3.Develop a solution tree

Solution Trees Leanne is a Ph.D. student who is well into the final writing stages of her dissertation. Benjamin Smith has been her supervisor for three years. Halfway through her third year, Dr. Smith suggests that they begin meeting at his home during the evening for the "sake of convenience“. Leanne accepts and thinks nothing of it until one evening Dr. Smith asks her to have a drink at the end of their study session. After a couple of drinks, Dr. Smith tries to seduce her. Leanne is stunned and, after mumbling an excuse, leaves. For the next few months she avoids all but formal contact with Dr. Smith. During these meetings, she finds he is not reading or commenting on her dissertation. As her deadline nears she finds that her requests for recommendations and careers assistance are being ignored, and her repeated phone calls are unreturned.

Problem Trees The library has a loud study room where students can do group work, with 20 computer desks. Sometimes there is a student attendant in the room and sometimes there isn't. On several occasions, when there is no attendant present, a group of students have used the computers to find pornographic pictures. The students laugh and joke and show the pictures around. Most of the time other students try to ignore them. Until recently no one had ever made a complaint. However, on the last occasion when this occurred, a student spoke up and told the group she was offended and asked them to leave. The students yelled at her and called her degrading names.

Union Campaigns Using university dignity at work and study policies to tackle online harassment, Spotted in the Library etc. “I’m Not That Lad” and photo campaigns Petitions and pledges Student-led campaigns

A scenario in action… - Australian Human Rights Commission

What’s the key issue? It’s about changing cultures, but you don’t have to do that alone

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