New OIA good practice guidance on handling reports of harassment and sexual misconduct urges universities and colleges to put welfare at the heart of its student processes.
We have today (15 September 2026) published new guidance for higher education providers to help them respond to reports from students who say they experienced harassment or sexual misconduct.
Jo Nuckley, Head of Outreach and Insight at the OIA, says: “Poor handling of reports of this nature can compound the harm students have already suffered. Nothing can turn back the clock and undo a student’s experience. But prioritising support and listening to what students say without judgement is essential to help them move forward.
"Our guidance is clear that being responsive and prioritising student wellbeing is more important than sticking rigidly to a set of process steps.”
Take complaints at face value
The new guidance describes how providers can respond to students who come forward with experiences of any kind of harassment or sexual misconduct. It emphasises that it is never too late for students to tell providers about their experience and seek support. As a first step, providers should listen to students and take what they say at face value, to identify what support a student needs.
The OIA guidance says: “Providers should recognise that students involved in an incident of harassment and/or sexual misconduct may experience trauma, because of that incident or connected to other life experiences.
Providers should support staff in developing their knowledge and understanding of a trauma-informed approach, proportionate to the role they undertake.”
“As a baseline, providers should ensure that staff who are designated to receive disclosures and reports, staff who investigate reports, and staff who make decisions under formal disciplinary procedures, understand that trauma may affect how students engage with its processes.”
The guidance also sets out that not every report has to result in an investigation under a full disciplinary procedure. It can be proportionate to focus on managing future interactions and taking an educative approach when someone may be unaware of the impact of their actions.
When a full disciplinary investigation is needed, the OIA says every student should get a fair hearing. Providers should separate roles that provide support to reporting students, from roles that carry out investigations: “Investigators must approach gathering information from a position of neutrality, and endeavour to take an exploratory approach rather than an adversarial or interrogative one. When investigators ask students questions, it can be helpful to explain why the question is relevant, particularly where a question may seem insensitive or open to misinterpretation.”
Be explicit about behaviour standards
It is made clear in the guidance that students should be given clear information about the standards of behaviour expected of them and that they can expect from others. Setting clear expectations may stop some unacceptable behaviour from occurring. Doing so helps students recognise they don’t have to tolerate it, and they can seek support. Similarly, providers should explain to students the potential consequences of behaving in a way that doesn’t meet the expected standards, and what actions may be taken if their behaviour falls short.
For further information please contact communicationsteam@oiahe.org.uk.