- Conference
- 2026 National Higher Education Conference
- Date
- 18 September 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that sexual harassment remains a pervasive and deeply harmful issue across the higher education sector, affecting staff and students at all levels and contributing to a culture of silence, fear, and inequality. Despite existing policies, many incidents go unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of confidence in reporting procedures.
Recent testimonies from UNISON members working in universities and colleges reveal that sexual harassment is not being adequately addressed. This includes inappropriate comments, unwanted physical contact, and abuse of power – often exacerbated by hierarchical structures, casualised contracts, and under-resourced HR departments.
Recent data paints a stark picture:
1)A 2023 Office for Students pilot survey found that 20% of students had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour, with women twice as likely to be affected;
2)The King’s College London literature review highlights that sexual violence is widespread in UK universities, disproportionately affecting women, LGBT+ individuals, and Black people. Many staff and students suspend or abandon their careers or studies due to the trauma;
3)A systematic review of UK studies found that 68% of female students reported sexual harassment, and 7% experienced serious sexual assault. Among staff, verbal harassment and inappropriate touching were common, with impacts on mental health and professional performance;
4)Staff are harassed not only by colleagues but also by students, with incidents including sexist remarks on evaluation forms and disruptions in teaching environments.
Member experiences highlight the scale of the problem:
a)UNISON survey found that a significant proportion of university staff have experienced sexual harassment, with many citing lack of support and fear of career repercussions as barriers to reporting;
b)Reports from campus unions show that harassment is often perpetrated by those in positions of authority, and that institutional responses are inconsistent and inadequate;
c)The “It’s Never OK” campaign revealed that most victims do not formally report incidents, and those who do rarely feel their cases are handled fairly or sensitively.
Conference believes:
i)Sexual harassment is a form of gender-based violence and discrimination;
ii)Every worker in higher education deserves a safe, respectful, and dignified working environment;
iii)UNISON must lead the campaign for robust, survivor-centred approaches to tackling sexual harassment in universities and colleges.
Conference therefore calls on the Higher Education Service Group Executive to:
I)Develop guidance to support branches to lobby higher education employers to implement clear, accessible reporting mechanisms that protect confidentiality and prevent retaliation;
II)Support branches to negotiate stronger anti-harassment policies, including survivor support and accountability measures;
III)Work with UNISON’s national women’s committee and equality structures to ensure intersectional approaches that reflect the experiences of Black, disabled, LGBT+, young, and migrant workers in higher education;
IV)Provide resources and training for UNISON reps to support members experiencing sexual harassment and to challenge inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.