We must call time on sexual misconduct
Meaningful change often comes down to strong leadership and political will. At UCL I had the privilege of working with President and Provost Professor Michael Arthur and an engaged and committed senior management team to prevent unacceptable behaviour and foster real change. While that change will never be fast enough for those affected, it felt like a shift and a significant step in the right direction.
When we set out to host a global conversation: Calling Time on Sexual Misconduct, the primary goal was not about saying that we have this issue sorted, it was about creating a sustainable global network. To stamp out problematic behaviour, and to address the structural inequities that underpin violence and harassment, we must work together.
Over four days in June, we had frank conversations about how addressing systemic injustice and inequity requires us to examine all forms of inequality and privilege. For some of us it was uncomfortable. But for this work to be effective, for it to be real for our students and staff, it must be culturally sensitive and intersectional. There is still work to be done in this area.
It became clear that we did not need to reinvent the wheel: we heard about innovative practice and research from Australia, India, the US, South Africa and across the UK. However, the challenge remains as to how we continue to develop and share practice with limited resource.
It’s always amazed me that when we talk about equality, diversity and inclusion, or wellbeing, we see them as add-ons, or the nice to have, rather than key levers in enabling meaningful culture change. I echo Provost’s sentiments in the Guardian about investing in prevention programmes as part of achieving the educational and organisational mission. Effective prevention is fundamental to overall success, and it must be embedded in how we measure it.
Yes there are new challenges that have emerged as a result of Covid-19, however old ones have heightened as a result of Covid-19 including domestic abuse, racism and xenophobia and online harassment. We must remind ourselves of lived experiences, of the stories and trauma that has been shared. We cannot allow for this to be lost or ignored.
At the conference I was moved to listen to Professor Mamokgheti Pakeng from University of Cape Town talk about crisis not as a danger, but as an opportunity. As Professor Arthur writes, this essential work can no longer be viewed (and resourced) as an ‘add-on’. The evidence is there, the stories have been shared time and time again, now it is time to act.
Originally posted on LinkedIn.
