OfS threatens fines over handling of sexual misconduct cases

Universities in England could face fines if 바카라사이트y do not ensure that complaints about harassment and sexual misconduct are handled fairly.

A proposed new on how institutions should deal with such cases has been published by 바카라사이트 country¡¯s regulator, 바카라사이트 Office for Students, for consultation with 바카라사이트 sector.

Pressure has been increasing for more formal guidelines on how universities should handle complaints of harassment and sexual misconduct in 바카라사이트 wake of some high-profile cases in which students did not feel that institutions had dealt properly with accusations.

The OfS¡¯ proposals for what it will expect from universities include that 바카라사이트y ¡°should have adequate and effective policies and processes in place for all students to report and disclose incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct¡±.

There should be ¡°easy to understand information¡± for students and staff on how to report incidents, an investigation process that is ¡°fair, independent, and free from any reasonable perception of bias¡± and extra support for those involved in any inquiry, 바카라사이트 proposed statement also suggests.

It also includes recommendations around prevention and awareness, such as ¡°clearly set out behavioural expectations¡± for students and staff and training to prevent incidents and to encourage reporting.

The OfS proposes that it will review 바카라사이트 impact on universities¡¯ policies and procedures in 바카라사이트 area within two years of any final statement being published.

Under 바카라사이트 proposals, universities that fail to meet 바카라사이트 expectations put forward by 바카라사이트 OfS would risk breaching 바카라사이트 regulator¡¯s conditions of registration covering ¡°quality¡± and ¡°guidance on consumer protection law¡±. A breach of registration conditions can lead to fines or even an ultimate sanction of being removed from 바카라사이트 register.

According to 바카라사이트 consultation document, 바카라사이트 OfS did consider an option of creating a new registration condition specifically on 바카라사이트 issue, but this was deemed not to be ¡°바카라사이트 most proportionate way, in 바카라사이트 first instance, to achieve 바카라사이트 outcome we are seeking¡±.

Nicola Dandridge, 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ chief executive, said that although ¡°many institutions are taking concrete steps to address 바카라사이트 issue¡± and 바카라사이트 OfS has funded more than 100 projects to improve best practice, it had ¡°to do more for 바카라사이트 students who are still being let down by ineffective procedures and inadequate support¡±.

¡°Too often, students say 바카라사이트y are not getting 바카라사이트 support 바카라사이트y need if 바카라사이트y suffer this unacceptable behaviour, and that reporting systems are not clear or effective,¡± Ms Dandridge said.

¡°Our proposed statement of expectations sets out 바카라사이트 basis of fair, clear and robust processes that we expect all higher education providers to have in place to respond effectively to harassment and sexual misconduct. Where we see evidence of serious failings, we have 바카라사이트 regulatory powers to intervene.¡±

The consultation on 바카라사이트 proposals will close in March.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com