A Third of Female Undergraduate Students Sexually Assaulted On Campus: According to a new piece of research looking in to the higher education sector, a third of female undergraduate students in the UK have endured some form of sexual assault or unwanted sexual advances whilst at university.

A Third of Female Undergraduate Students Sexually Assaulted

The research, released in the wake of new guidance from the government which is meant to ensure that universities and colleges investigate allegations of rape and assault (rather than leaving it to the police alone), also suggested that half of female undergraduates know of a friend or relative who has experienced some form of intrusive sexual behaviour – including anything from groping to rape. A third of male students also stated that they knew a friend or relative who had experienced the same advances.

Looking at the figures in detail, the study has found that three in ten (31%) female students said they had been inappropriately touched or groped and around one in twenty had experienced unwanted advances in more intimate areas, or had been pressurised in to sexual activity. Overall, more than a third (34%) said that they been on the end of some form of sexual abuse.

For male students, the proportion of those experiencing unwanted groping or sexual advances fell to one in eight. One percent of both male and female students stated that they had been raped whilst at university.

However, despite the high numbers of students who are victims of some form of sexual abuse, more than two fifths (43%) of females did not report the incident to the authorities, friends or family. This figure rose to three fifths among male students who had experienced unwanted sexual advances.

One group, the End Violence Against Women Coalition, has argued that higher education institutions are public authorities, and are therefore subject to the Human Rights Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty. The EVAWC, an alliance of charities and campaign groups, has stated that these acts legally require public bodies to work to eliminate discrimination – including harassment against women. The organisation claims that universities and other higher education institutions are avoiding their responsibilities – through refusing to investigate claims of sexual assault and rape for instance.

If you would like to speak to a trained professional about the contents of this article, the following organisations are available to help.

Rape Crisis

Victim Support