A high proportion of female students experience sexual violence or stalking while at university according to the recent \u2018Hidden Marks\u2019 survey conducted by the UK National Union of Students (NUS). This is according to the NUS website.<\/p>\n
The study gathered over 2,000 responses from women students in the UK.<\/p>\n
The results show that 12 per cent have been stalked while at university or college, and in over half of the cases the stalker is a fellow student. <\/p>\n
Female students who are victims of sexual assault are unlikely to report it to the police of their institution, according to the study. <\/p>\n
Only 10 per cent go to the authorities. Those who do not say that it is because they are ashamed or because they fear that they themselves will be blamed for what happened.<\/p>\n
\u00bbIt is extremely disturbing that so many women students are assaulted and harassed while at university or college, and it is particularly worrying that the perpetrators in many of these cases are fellow students,\u00ab says Olivia Bailey, women\u2019s officer for the NUS. <\/p>\n
\u00bbThis report is a wake-up call. Universities and colleges must work more closely with local police, victim support services and health services in order to give victims the security and confidence to come forward. Institutions must also deal with all reported instances of assault or harassment with the utmost seriousness, so that no students are left in any doubt that such behaviour will not be tolerated,\u00ab she continues. <\/p>\n
Sandra Horley, CEO of the British domestic violence charity Refuge feels that universities should do more:<\/p>\n
\u00bbIt is vital that universities create an environment where women feel confident to speak out against abuse. Women students need to know where they can seek help, and must feel sure that their reports will be taken seriously. Women have the right to enjoy university life, focus on their studies and plan for their futures, without fear of intimidation of violence,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n