Sexual Harassment & Violence Support Service: Highly Commended in awards

The University team providing support to our students was highly recommended in the 2019 LimeLight Awards, which celebrate teams supporting victims of sexual violence in higher education. The judges described the work of the Oxford team as ‘innovative and sector leading'.

Left to right: Pete Mandeville, Service Lead; Mia Smith, Specialist Advisor & Chaplain at Hertford College; Dame Vera Baird, Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales.

Pete Mandeville, Service Lead, was also awarded the prize for Outstanding Achievement by a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer.

The Support Service was launched in October 2018. It provides confidential support and advice for any student affected by sexual harassment or violence, along with a safe place to be heard independent of the student's college or department. The team has grown in size since it launched, now with six members of staff and an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor available to support students.

The service sits in Student Welfare and Support Services within the Academic Administration Division. Gilliam Hamnett, Director of Student Welfare and Support Services, says: 'For the last two years, we have been working with expert partners, staff and students to ensure the service meets the needs of those who have experienced sexual harassment and violence. These awards highlight the commitment of the team to supporting our students, I am pleased that their work has been recognised at a national level.'

The University is committed to tackling sexual harassment and violence. Find out more on the Oxford Against Sexual Violence website.