#AssaultOnCampus

An investigation by The Breaker

Solent University

Solent University has two campuses based in Southampton.

We ranked all 29 universities in the south of England against the following best practice criteria to assess how well each institution raises awareness of help available to survivors and encourages them to report. Other marks are given for campaigns and extra measures which show the university’s engagement with preventing and responding to sexual assault. Each received a mark out of 5.

  1. Anonymous form: The university does not have an anonymous form to report an assault.
  2. Campaigns: Solent University promote the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign which offers support to people who find themselves wanting to leave a difficult situation. They also run a ‘Take a Mate’ campaign encouraging students not to walk home alone after nights out. A Night Bus is run by the Students Union from the University’s library in the city centre to residences, and there is an agreement with a local taxi firm to help students who can’t pay to get home.
  3. Sexual assault advice page: The students’ union has advice for survivors of sexual assault. This includes giving advice on reporting and next steps. The University also has personal safety guidance on the student portal which all students are sent a link to.
  4. External contacts: The aforementioned page also has links to the local rape crisis charity as well as contact details for the local sexual assault referral centre.
  5. Other measures: The university produced a video explaining consent which is used during student inductions each year. They are also implementing “Bystander Intervention Training” for students to be able to safely intervene in instances of sexual violence, domestic abuse or stalking.

Mark: 4/5

A spokesperson for Solent University says: “We think it is important to create an atmosphere whereby any victim of crime feels they can come forward to seek support. All new students are shown a video on consent at induction; we participate in the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign; we are rolling out the Bystander’s training; and we offer support and advice to any student who makes a complaint.”