A special training course to help challenge the culture of silence at university around sexual harassment was held at Newnham College.
Professor Dame Carol Black, Principal of Newnham, spearhead the intercollegiate training and invited SafeLives, a national charity dedicated to ending domestic violence, to deliver the programme.
Dame Carol explained: “The aim of the course was to acknowledge the challenges that surround sexual harassment and to begin the work that is required to change the culture of silence around it.
“Working in partnership with Trinity College, key pastoral members of our Fellowship and members of staff were trained so that they all know how to respond appropriately to support and safeguard any student who has experienced sexual assault or harassment.”
A number of sessions were organised for members of Newnham College and Trinity College.
Participants were taught:
• About the dynamics of sexual violence and its prevalence on University campuses.
• About the impact of sexual violence in different contexts and the implications on the health, safety and wellbeing of the victim.
• About the University’s Harassment policy and how to apply it to their role.
• How to respond appropriately to a disclosure of sexual violence
• How to identify options for the student following a disclosure to ensure they can access support available within the University or beyond.
• Consider how this training may impact on themselves
An online resource has also been developed to be used by all College staff to make sure they know how to respond to a student who discloses that they have been sexual harassed in any way.
Dame Carol, pictured, added: “The sessions were proactive and very practical and they will help our staff to truly understand the impact of sexual harassment and how to support students across Cambridge who may be affected.”