Half of female students experienced sexual harassment on a night out
A new study by Drinkaware found 54% of woman experienced sexual harassment on a night out, with only one in seven surprised to be at the receiving end of it.
A new study has found over half of female students have experienced sexual harassment on a night out.
The survery of over 2000 UK students, three quarter of those aged 18-24 admitted to having experienced sexual touching, comments or abuse and regrettable sexual encounters in the last 12 months.
54 per cent of female students experienced sexual harassment, with over half saying it was something they experienced every time they went out.
Only one in seven expressed that they'd be surprised to be on the receiving end of harassment.
Drinkaware have joined up with UNILAD to ask young people to look at their own behaviour on nights out and to reject the permissive culture around sexual harassment.
Ben Butler, Marketing and Communications Director at alcohol education charity Drinkaware says: “We’re excited to be working with UNILAD, as the largest platform engaging 18-24 year olds both male and female, no one understands young people better, what makes them tick and how best to reach them. Together we want to disrupt the normalisation of sexual harassment on nights out.
“Young people shouldn’t have to put up with sexual harassment as part of a night out. Touching another person in a sexual way without their consent is legally defined as sexual assault. We hope that through sharing their own experiences young people will think twice about what behavior is acceptable on nights out.”
To support young people Drinkaware has introduced a team of specially trained staff, Drinkaware Crew, in four university towns across the country.
By the end of the year, the scheme will be rolled out across the UK.
The aim is to reduce negative experiences related to drunkenness - including anti-social behaviour and sexual harassment.
Georgina Arksey, Vice-President Welfare at Teesside University Students’ Union said: “Harassment of any form against anyone is unacceptable and here at Teesside University Students’ Union we take such complaints very seriously...depending on the case we would certainly look at disciplinary action where justified.
"However, we try to prevent such things happening in the first place by having strict house roles requiring appropriate, respectful behaviour from anybody using our venues day or night, we also run various campaigns targeting students through the year covering these kinds of issues including “Yes To Respect” and our new campaign “I heart consent”.
"We’re also happy to offer confidential, professional support and advice to any Teesside Uni student who feels they have been the victim of harassment.”