This AHUA gender-based violence workshop, facilitated by LimeCulture, aims to help senior university leaders deepen their understanding of gender-based violence, the foundations – and benefits – of a whole-institution approach, and the regulatory requirements they must meet. By focusing specifically on leadership accountability and stronger, safer governance, the workshop will equip delegates with valuable insights and tools to reflect on their own response to gender-based violence and sexual misconduct, and identify further steps to foster and embed a safer and more inclusive university environment.
The landscape around gender-based violence in the Higher Education sector – and indeed, across society – has changed dramatically in that time, with more attention than ever before on institutions’ responsibilities to tackle sexual violence, harassment and other forms of gender-based violence. HEIs are – rightly – under increasing pressure from students, staff and regulators to transform their prevention and response initiatives, and deliver safer cultures within their institutions.
More universities are now explicitly recognising the scale of the problem, and taking important steps to develop stronger governance systems and training opportunities, and invest in dedicated support for students and staff. University support services are seeing year-on-year increases in demand for support, not because the problem has got worse, but as students and staff gain confidence in their institution’s ability to respond appropriately.
However, the path to transformation isn’t always clear. Too often, a lack of integration of support services and awareness/bystander initiatives into the wider fabric of the institution limits their effectiveness and their ability to impact culture change.
Over 10 years ago, LimeCulture began working with two universities to assist in the development of their response to sexual misconduct, resulting in the creation of a specialist model of support – the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer – within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to support those disclosing, and those reported for, sexual misconduct. Since then we’ve seen a greater appreciation of the need for a whole-institution response, and the emergence of a highly skilled, trauma-informed specialist sexual violence workforce within the University sector. LimeCulture alone has trained more than 600 SVLOs and many others across more than 80 HEIs to respond appropriately and effectively to victims/survivors.
If you are interested in attending the workshop, register here. Deadline for applications is Wednesday 30 October 2024.
About LimeCulture
LimeCulture is a leading national safeguarding and sexual violence organisation. We have been working with Universities across the UK since 2015 to develop strategic and operational approaches to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, through our training and consultancy services.
