Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

University of Cambridge Nick Ansell

University of Cambridge admits it has 'significant problem' with sexual misconduct

A total of 173 complaints of sexual misconduct have been received by the university since May last year.

THE UNIVERSITY OF Cambridge in the UK has admitted it has a “significant problem” with sexual misconduct after receiving almost 200 complaints over the past few months.

A total of 173 complaints have been received since May last year when the university launched a new anonymous reporting tool.

Cambridge is the first university to reveal a high number of reports through the database, even though several other institutions have since introduced similar systems.

Of the 173 complaints filed, some 119 were made by students alleging sexual misconduct against other students.

Two students issued complaints against members of staff, while seven staff members complained about fellow colleagues.

Writing in a blog on the university’s website, professor of English private law and pro-vice chancellor for education, Graham Virgo, said that the data “supports our belief that we have a significant problem involving sexual misconduct”.

“What we now need to ensure is that those who have been affected receive the support and guidance they need,” Virgo said.

“We expected high numbers, and view it as a metric of success. It appears victims have confidence in our promise that these figures will be used to judge the nature and scale of sexual misconduct affecting students and staff and to act to it accordingly,” he said.

Cambridge University / YouTube

To accompany the reporting tool, Cambridge launched a Breaking the Silence campaign in October. The university has credited the campaign with prompting the second largest spike in reports in Cambridge’s history.

“The early signs of the impact of Breaking the Silence are encouraging. Before the campaign, 52% of those reporting recent incidents thought nothing would be done if they made a complaint,” Virgo said.

That figure has dropped to 30% since the launch, he said.

“Clearly, there is work still to do, but that campaign’s message that those who report will be supported and action can be taken is starting to have an impact.”

Read: There’s a sprinkling of snow about the country this morning

More: Manchester United fans to pay respects for victims of Munich air disaster 60 years on

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
46 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Walshe
    Favourite Mary Walshe
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:27 PM

    How the other half live eh?
    But seriously though, doing well for a 28 year old, keep it up!

    432
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute zephyrum
    Favourite zephyrum
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 5:04 AM

    @Mary Walshe: indeed. Bring home the bacon despite no bacon

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvon Queguiner
    Favourite Yvon Queguiner
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:29 PM

    Good job! That’s my base salary here and I surely don’t have 10k after the taxes (which are used for only god’s know what with poor healthcare, poor education, expensive childcare, poor public service overall).

    349
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Dempsey
    Favourite Alan Dempsey
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 9:46 PM

    @Yvon Queguiner:

    Poor Education?

    123
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 8:51 AM

    @Yvon Queguiner: Education is the only service we’ve had that is decent, but yea slowly it’s being torn apart by misguided Irish opinion. Also add Housing and Transport.

    38
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simran Collops
    Favourite Simran Collops
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 4:58 PM

    @thesaltyurchin: Despite unrealistic public expectation and far too much of the funding wasted in bureaucracy, Ireland’s Health service is world class.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:24 PM

    Before anyone says anything about the salary it’s very average for the UAE. As a past resident if I can one piece of advice to the 28 year old consultant. DO NOT take out any loans or credit cards that’s how they get to keep you as you are stuck if you do

    220
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paulco
    Favourite Paulco
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:21 PM

    Riveting!! Zzzzzzzzz

    174
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Giboulées des bâtards
    Favourite Giboulées des bâtards
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:28 PM

    For some odd reason Engineering consultants in Ireland get half the rate than on the continent. The average charge out rate for a civil Engineer in Scandinavia is the equivalent of 188 euros an hour.

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Chadwick
    Favourite David Chadwick
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 7:38 AM

    1125 for rent in the UAE , you wouldn’t get a bed sit in Waterford for that

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 9:06 AM

    @David Chadwick: yea but we’re all living the dream here.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Craic_a_tower
    Favourite Craic_a_tower
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 10:06 AM

    @David Chadwick: well your property here probably wasn’t built using slave labour like there.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Communist Party
    Favourite Communist Party
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:37 PM

    A salary of 120k is just over 1% of workers in ireland. But 54% are college educated in Ireland. From Revenue’s “Analysis of High Income Individuals”

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fallible Guy
    Favourite Fallible Guy
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 9:37 PM

    @Communist Party: Well, ~14% of workers in Ireland are above €100k according to recent statistics perpetuated by Newstalk. I doubt €120k is a hard ceiling for said individuals.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Menon
    Favourite Kieran Menon
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:29 PM

    He’s a peasant with that salary over there when everyone and their grandma drives a Rolls Royce.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fuji Hakayito
    Favourite Fuji Hakayito
    Report
    Apr 16th 2023, 8:34 PM

    @Kieran Menon: and you’re point being?

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pkunzip doom2.zip
    Favourite pkunzip doom2.zip
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 12:34 AM

    @Fuji Hakayito: he is

    15
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Casey
    Favourite Brian Casey
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 7:13 AM

    @Kieran Menon: Certainly not a peasant, on that salary he has a good standard of living. Remember it’s tax free, his healthcare is paid for, and by the way the healthcare system here is world class. VAT is only 5%, the weather is incredible 8 months of the year and petrol is far cheaper than back home. I live here too so I can attest to this. So he’s definitely doing better than he would be back in Ireland, that I know for sure

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul
    Favourite Paul
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 9:33 AM

    Fair play.
    Work hard, take risks, get rewarded.

    In Ireland people who do this are vilified by the Left and taxed mercilessly to pay for the perpetually lazy.

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SolidSid
    Favourite SolidSid
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 12:16 PM

    @Paul: You really do need to get over yourself and stop blaming everybody but yourself for your bad decisions that left you paying for someone else to live in ‘your’ house. It’s not the fault of ‘the left’, it’s yours and yours alone. Be a big boy now and own it and stop stamping your feet like a child whose ice-cram just fell on the floor.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mark boyle
    Favourite mark boyle
    Report
    Apr 17th 2023, 9:42 AM

    fair play to you, far away hills are not green, make sure you dont come home !!

    17
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds