A new study has found that Nottingham Trent University is one of 42 UK universities that impose a time-limit on students making sexual misconduct allegations against staff.
The investigation was conducted by Tortoise media and examined policies of sexual misconduct complaint procedures for students.
Of the sixty UK institutions examined, three demand that students submit complaints about harassment by a member of staff within just 15 working days of the incident.
Fourteen institutions require formal reports within just four weeks of the alleged incident taking place.
Only 11 universities have specific policies for investigation student sexual misconduct.
The complaint procedures for students at NTU requires anyone who wishes to use the procedure to “raise the issue at local level (Level 1) within 60 working days from the incident or cause for concern”.
It also says anonymous complaints will not be considered unless the university considers the supporting evidence to be exceptional in the circumstances.
According to Office for Students, higher education providers are expected to have adequate and effective policies and processes in place for all students to report and disclose incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct.
As well providing a fair, clear and accessible approach to taking action in response to reports and disclosures.
NTU’s Zero Tolerance to Sexual Violence Policy outlines the procedures of dealing with such cases, which says once a report is made to either NTSU Information and Advice, or NTU Student Support Service, complainant will receive a phone call or an email within 24 working hours and a face-to-face appointment might be followed.
All complaints go through the University’s Academic Registry.
Counselling and advice on contacting the police for investigation and disciplinary procedures is also available.
Research done by 1752 Group, a UK-based research and lobby organisation aiming to address sexual misconduct in higher education, suggests some formal policies themselves function as a barrier to formally reporting sexual misconduct.
This includes having a policy with a three-month time limit on complaints of sexual harassment.
A spokesperson for Nottingham Trent University said, “There are no time limits for students to make any complaints to us about sexual misconduct.
“Any such complaints to us are dealt with on a confidential basis and all victims or alleged victims of sexual offences are automatically given lifelong anonymity and confidentiality as part of the complaints process are clearly explained to complainants on an individual basis at the point that a complaint is made.”
The 1752 Group also points out that the Office for the Independent Adjudicator for High Education (OIA) is not currently offering sufficient regulation to ensure that HE institutions deal adequately with staff sexual misconduct.
It also suggests that OIA should be able to enforce a time limit for the total period within which an HE institution must address a complaint from the date of first disclosure.
A spokesperson for Nottingham Trent University made it clear that there is no time limit on reporting sexual misconduct.
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By Qing Na
Feature image credit: Pixabay