Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides to higher education institutions on standardised recording of sexual offenses.

The government is clear that sexual harassment and sexual violence have no place in higher education. The findings of the Office for Students’ (OfS) sexual misconduct survey are deeply troubling and underline the importance of effective prevention, reporting and support.

Universities are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own student behaviour codes of conduct, and for taking action through their disciplinary procedures. However, there is regulatory oversight from the OfS’ Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Registration Condition, which requires registered providers to publish accessible, comprehensive policies and properly resourced arrangements to prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct. Providers must also train their students and staff in consent and bystander intervention and have effective procedures for reporting and investigating incidents.

This regulatory action is designed to reduce the incidence of harassment and assault. The department is arranging to monitor the impact of the OfS' requirements and identify examples of effective practice.