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  • 66 score
    78 voters

    Compulsory induction module to educate students about sexual conduct to prevent harassment and assault

    Submitted 3 years ago by Joel Boulter
    Expired
    • Wellbeing
    • Advice
    13comments
    Introduce a compulsory induction module to educate students about sexual conduct to help prevent cases of harassment and assault. Recent events have demonstrated the need to educate the UK population and create a cultural change to make the lives of everyone safer. Educating Derby students in their induction throughout every year of their study with a compulsory module on UDO with a quiz at the end will help to achieve the behavioural and cultural change that is needed and make Derby Uni safer.
Claire Roe
12:08pm on 18 Mar 21 I like this idea. I think it has the added bonus of not just educating people about acceptable behaviour, but introducing a culture where it is ok to talk about what is and isn't ok for people on an individual basis. If it could include contacts for support where there have been cases of assault or harassment, that would be great, too. I think advice on how to support someone you see being harassed or assaulted could also help. Great idea.
Joel Boulter
12:48pm on 18 Mar 21 Signposting to places you can get support would be very useful to be added to this module
Vivienne Redfern
2:42pm on 18 Mar 21 Youth Work and Community Development cohorts develop a code of conduct at the commencement of their programme with all in agreement of the conduct which is and is not acceptable. I did not understand until this issue has arisen that not all degree programmes do this! A lot to be learned from the amazing programme of Youth Work and Community Development, we have a truly awesome team of staff. Having said that and before I cast my vote I would like to ask: If it is not something that is discussed currently in your cohort code of conduct, why not? How you envisage this compulsory induction module working and would it include other topics, such as, racism, bullying, behaviours, inclusion etc? If it is simply another session applied to the UDO tile mosaic, how will this be managed?
Joel Boulter
3:07pm on 18 Mar 21 I don't think having it in a code of conduct is going to change behaviours and culture that is leading to sexual harassment and assault on its own. Education is needed about what behaviours are unacceptable and what could be considered as harassment is important to change attitudes and behaviours. I envisage the compulsory induction module to be on course resources much like the 'virtual induction' was this year, for students to complete during the induction weeks and academic staff should be able to ensure that students have completed the module. It absolutely could include education about racism, bullying, inclusion etc as other modules but I feel that having it as a compulsory module will educate thousands of students at once and challenge behaviours that are inappropriate making the university and Derby safer
Joel Boulter
4:28pm on 19 Mar 21 Whilst I called it a module I vision it to be a 30 minute- 1 hour thing that you do once a year in your induction weeks when you don’t have any other uni work to do. It’s ultimately aimed at changing behaviour and the culture of what is deemed acceptable to do and therefore to achieve this it needs to be compulsory so that students actually complete it, otherwise I fear very few would actually do it which doesn’t make the uni and derby safer
Vivienne Redfern
6:04pm on 19 Mar 21 I believe having the conversation about what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviours within your cohort and agreeing to sign a code of conduct absolutely highlights to all students that such behaviours, sexual harassment, bullying, racism etc. will not be tolerated. Covering the complaints process as part of the code of conduct also educates those that may be tempted to cause any of the offences of the consequences of such behaviours. I do agree however that everyone has the right to feel safe wherever they are, I am unsure what you propose will make the change we desire.
Katie Howley
5:40pm on 21 Mar 21 I agree educating of this is a good idea. It would be good to educate alot on boundaries and handling certain situations. It is a subject to tread lightly and consider alot when delivering certain factors, for example those who may have expericed any form of sexual abuse may get triggered. Maybe there could be a form for students to fill in as to whether they may or may not want to take part and if not would they like the subject delivered in some other way e.g. not in front of course mates or to have someone they may feel safe with, with them. I just want it to be beneficial but sensitive to students too.
Joel Boulter
5:47pm on 21 Mar 21 I agree Katie, the vision I had for it is an online session that you do in your own time like the virtual induction we had this year which would avoid doing it around others. But yes for those who have experienced it and maybe triggered there should be a way of avoiding doing it and accessing support from wellbeing instead. Educating about boundaries and how to handle certain situations is what I was thinking it could cover and probably should've included in the idea so glad you commented on it!
Jake Mander
10:25pm on 26 Mar 21 I agree with the consensus that students shouldn't be forced to partake in any sessions or seminars, no matter how well intentioned the core messages are. If someone has managed to make it this far into life without gaining a basic grasp of common decency, respect or morals then there's very little a PowerPoint or talk is going to do to change their behaviour. In fact, making it compulsory probably does more to make those who are willing to harass and demean women all the more happier to do so. By all means, make the material available to all, encourage people to engage with it and push the university to promote the standards expected of it's students and actively enforce policies that pro-actively protect and support students from harassment and assault!
Fay Turner-Paxton
8:35pm on 29 Mar 21 I like this idea a lot but not sure how successful or receptive people would be to something compulsory, perhaps incorporating codes of conduct or acceptable behaviours into the wider induction for each course, it'd be good to normalise discussion around this topic as it's still somewhat stigmatised and having signposted options for more information would be useful. I know the union have a few resources on the topic that could perhaps be made more visible for people. Good idea that might need some thinking about to incorporate appropriately.
Dave Lochtie
12:44pm on 10 May 21 Hi all, just to update that has now reached 25 votes and will be passed to Student Summit Wednesday 26th May 1-3, online. Please come along to give your views and guide union policy, further details here - https://www.derbyunion.co.uk/ents/event/2879/
Tay Baverstock
10:43pm on 11 May 21 One word: YES.
Laura Maher
3:21pm on 9 Jun 21 Hello everyone and thank you for your idea, votes and comments! As stated above this idea went to our Student Summit on 26th May. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough student attendance to by quorate which means we couldn't vote in a binding way. We did have some great discussions around the idea however with a split vote on a compulsory module, but unanimous support for a module without the compulsory element. Due to us not having enough students to make a binding vote, we will be taking this item to the next summit in the Autumn term to be voted on when we have a qualifying number of students. If you are graduating this year and would still like your opinion heard on this item, please comment below with anything you would like us to share on your behalf.