Higher Education
We believe life at university should never be tainted by harassment, or the fear of how you will get home. Our vision is for everyone to feel safe in their campuses, cities and colleges.
Higher education institutions must take responsibility for the public sexual harassment affecting their students, and act to ensure the safety of the entire student body.
As a campaign, we:
support and empower Campus Collectives all across the country to run impactful campaigns to combat public sexual harassment within their institutions
raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of public sexual harassment on students on a national scale
work alongside universities and local authorities to create safer campuses and cities
help Student Unions create accessible support networks for victims of public sexual harassment where they feel listened to, respected and empowered
educate the male student body, empowering them to become allies, active bystanders and vocal opponents of public sexual harassment
conduct research on public sexual harassment faced by higher education students and the strategies employed by universities and local authorities to prevent it
In February 2021, we launched ‘Our Schools Now: Higher Education’, and our #StudentsNotObjects campaign to demand action from institutions to better protect its students
The evidence shows alarming rates of sexual violence and harassment faced by students and the detrimental impacts it has on their education.
→ 84% of higher education students have been subjected to some form of Public Sexual Harassment (Our Streets Now, 2020)
→ Students aged 16 and above are over three times more likely than the average person in their age group to have experienced sexual assault (ONS, 2023)
→ Sexual harassment and gender-based violence has a clear negative effect on students’ performance, concentration, mental health and wellbeing
Ultimately, women, girls and marginalised genders are missing out on central parts of the university experience due to the very real fear of sexual harassment
Campus Collectives
Our Campus Collective programme invites members of the university community all over the country to join the Our Streets Now movement. Join us in developing impactful campaigns to combat public sexual harassment on your campus, in your city, and on a national scale. Together, we can create safer spaces for everyone.
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At Our Streets Now, we believe in tackling public sexual harassment in all aspects of life. As a Campus Collective, you have the freedom to focus your campaign on the areas most relevant to your campus or city. You could collaborate with our other key campaigns Schools, Sports and High Streets, to amplify your impact and create meaningful change.
We equip you with the tools for success. Benefit from our comprehensive resources, expert training and ongoing support to craft powerful campaigns throughout the academic year. Engage in key activism moments, including the '16 Days of Activism' in November and International Women's Day in March. Connect with fellow activists in our monthly meetings, where we discuss pressing policy issues and strategize mobilisation efforts.
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We welcome all members of the university community to join or start a Campus Collective. Whether you're an undergraduate, postgraduate student, university staff member, elected Student Union officer, or academic, your voice and passion are valuable in this movement.
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To set up a Campus Collective at your university, you'll need a group of at least three people, including one designated as 'President'. This minimum group size is crucial because creating change in any environment demands significant dedication and effort. A team of three or more members provides the diverse skills and manpower necessary to effectively drive results both within your institution and your city. By forming a team, you'll be better equipped to manage the workload sustainably and create meaningful change on your campus and in your community.
We're excited to welcome new Campus Collectives for our first intake this October. Follow us on social media for updates and join us in making our streets safer for all.
Your activism can shape a better future – be part of the change!
