Degrees of Abuse

Freedom of Information Requests

As part of Degrees of Abuse, Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit created a database with summaries and the original documents sent by 125 universities in response to Al Jazeera’s Freedom of Information Requests.

The documents expose the broader scale of just how few complaints result in any action being taken, especially for students.

In total, 125 out of 164 universities responded to Al Jazeera's request for information, revealing 1,403 student sexual misconduct complaints were reported over the period 2017-2020.

The documents show only 487 out of 1,403 of all student sexual misconduct complaints were investigated.

Out of those that were investigated, 309 led to no further action by the university.

That means that about 83 percent of university students' complaints of sexual misconduct did not result in disciplinary action of any kind for the respondent.

The documents also show only 35 out of 252 of sexual misconduct complaints against staff were investigated.

In several cases where the victim filed an official police report, universities said they intended to do a full investigation pending the result of the police inquiry. However, most complaints that were dropped by the police were then not investigated by the universities.

Although many universities claim they can investigate even if police cases are dropped, some universities such as Oxford University have policies that claim if a student doesn’t report to the police, they have no obligation to investigate.

Select a university

Total number of reported complaints

1,654

Aberdeen

Reported complaints:
14

Fourteen complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2016-17 and 2019-20.

Aberdeen University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Abertay

Reported complaints:
2

Two complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

Abertay University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Anglia Ruskin

Reported complaints:
10

Five student sexual misconduct complaints made between 2017 and 2020 led to no internal hearings.

Three cases are on hold due to police investigations. Five staff sexual misconduct complaints led to one internal hearing.

Anglia Ruskin did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Arden

Arden University is not a public authority and is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Read the full response

Arts University Bournemouth

Arts University Bournemouth did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Bangor

Reported complaints:
22

Twenty-two complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20 led to the expulsion of three of the accused.

No complaints of staff sexual misconduct during this time.

Read the full response

Bath

Reported complaints:
8

Eight student sexual misconduct complaints made in the academic year 2018-19. Between 2017-18 and 2019-20, complaints resulted in three expulsions.

Bath did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Bath Spa

Reported complaints:
3

Three complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017 and 2020. The university has 18 conduct agreements on record since 2010.

Bath Spa did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Bedfordshire

Reported complaints:
18

Sixteen complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020.

Eight of these were investigated; four cases led to no further action, one led to the accused being suspended, two led to final written warnings, and one was expelled.

In addition, two cases of staff sexual misconduct led to no further action.

Read the full response

Birkbeck

Reported complaints:
4

Four complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017 and 2020.

Three cases were upheld, leading to one formal warning and two of the accused being expelled.

Read the full response

Birmingham

Reported complaints:
7

In the academic year 2017-18, there were seven student sexual misconduct complaints.

Birmingham University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Birmingham City

Birmingham City University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported between 2014 and 2016.

The combined number of complaints since 2010 is still less than five. This means that the university is exempt from sharing further details regarding any complaints.

Read the full response

Bishop Grosseteste

Bishop Grosseteste did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Bolton

Bolton did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Bournemouth

Reported complaints:
3

Two student sexual misconduct cases reported between 2017 and 2019 led to internal hearings and were upheld.

One occurrence led to a written warning, while the other respondent received advice and guidance.

In addition, one staff sexual misconduct case was confirmed, and the employee received a final written warning.

Read the full response

BPP University

BPP University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Bradford

Reported complaints:
9

Nine sexual misconduct complaints made between 2017 and 2020.

Bradford University combined the complaints against staff members and students, so we are unable to identify the accused.

Read the full response

Brighton

Reported complaints:
8

Eight complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

None of these complaints led to an internal hearing. Three of the accused voluntarily withdrew, and three cases were continuing at the time of response.

There were no reported cases of staff sexual misconduct.

Read the full response

Bristol

Reported complaints:
28

Twenty-eight complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2018-19. Fewer than five complaints in 2019-20.

The University of Bristol did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons because less than five complaints were made in 2019-20.

The response did not include information on how many complaints were investigated nor the outcomes of these investigations.

Read the full response

Brunel

Reported complaints:
43

Eight formal complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20. Three of these were heard and led to a formal warning, restriction of movement on campus, and expulsion.

There were also 35 informal complaints of student sexual misconduct, 13 of which were investigated.

No reported complaints of staff sexual misconduct.

Read the full response

Buckingham

Buckingham University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Bucks New

Reported complaints:
6

Six complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020.

One confirmed case led to a recommendation that the respondent improve their verbal and non-verbal communication. Two cases were on hold due to continuing police investigations.

There was also one complaint of staff sexual misconduct which was upheld and led to a formal warning.

Read the full response

Cambridge

Reported complaints:
29

Twenty-five formal complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2015-16 and 2018-19, 18 of which were investigated and eight upheld; none led to expulsion.

Four complaints of staff sexual misconduct, one of which was partially endorsed and led to a no-contact agreement.

There were 175 informal student sexual misconduct complaints and 33 informal staff sexual misconduct complaints made through the anonymous reporting system. These complaints were all sent to the central university.

Complaints made to any of the 31 colleges are not included in this number. The I-Unit contacted all Cambridge colleges, but few responded and used exemptions to avoid disclosing complaint numbers.

Read the full response

Canterbury Christ Church

Reported complaints:
5

Four complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020. One case led to an internal hearing, and three cases were continuing at the time of response.

Additionally, a staff member resigned after one complaint of staff sexual misconduct.

Read the full response

Cardiff

Reported complaints:
27

Twenty-six complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

Expulsion is one result of these complaints, but Cardiff withheld numbers for different outcomes.

There were two complaints of staff sexual misconduct during the same period.

The University of Cardiff did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Cardiff Metropolitan

Reported complaints:
13

Eleven complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Sanctions are unspecified.

Two complaints of staff sexual misconduct led to one of the accused having their employment terminated before the hearing.

Read the full response

Central Lancashire

Reported complaints:
26

Twenty-four complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20. Seven cases were upheld, leading to no expulsions.

Two complaints of staff sexual misconduct, neither of which were upheld. However, one staff member resigned before the complaint could be thoroughly investigated.

Read the full response

Chester

Reported complaints:
22

Nineteen student sexual misconduct complaints; four of these led to internal hearings, and one student was expelled.

In addition, three complaints of staff sexual misconduct led to one staff member being dismissed.

Read the full response

Chichester

Reported complaints:
22

Chichester University shared information according to whether the complainants were students or staff rather than respondents.

Students made 22 complaints of sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020; one led to a hearing and a staff member’s dismissal. Police handled the rest.

No grievances were brought forth by staff members.

Read the full response

City, University of London

City, University of London did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Conservatoire for Dance and Drama

Reported complaints:
0

No complaints were made during the requested period.

Courtauld Institute of Art

Courtauld Institute of Art did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Coventry

Reported complaints:
15

Fifteen student sexual misconduct complaints between 2017 and 2020, two of which were upheld.

There were two complaints of staff sexual misconduct.

Coventry University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Cumbria

Reported complaints:
16

Sixteen student sexual misconduct complaints, three of which were upheld, and 13 which required no further action.

Cumbria University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

De Montfort

Reported complaints:
33

Twenty-six complaints of student sexual misconduct; one led to one of the accused being expelled.

There were seven complaints of staff sexual misconduct; none led to a dismissal.

Read the full response

Derby

Reported complaints:
16

Sixteen complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Derby University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported about staff misconduct.

Read the full response

Dundee

Reported complaints:

Dundee University publishes sexual misconduct complaints online which can be found here.

Read the full response

Durham

Durham university publishes it's sexual misconduct complaints publicly on it's website here.

Read the full response

East Anglia

East Anglia University refused Al Jazeera’s Freedom of Information request because the information requested is so specific and the number of internal hearings so small there could be a risk of individuals being identified.

Read the full response

East London

University of East London refused Al Jazeera’s Freedom of Information request because they could not access the information requested remotely during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Read the full response

Edge Hill

Edge Hill did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Edinburgh Napier

Reported complaints:
7

One complaint of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20 and one classified as 'other'.

Additionally, five complaints of staff sexual misconduct were made in the same period, leading to the dismissal of one of the accused.

Read the full response

Essex

Reported complaints:
38

Thirty-six complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20. None of the accused was expelled.

Two complaints of staff sexual misconduct, both of which were dismissed.

Read the full response

Exeter

Reported complaints:
19

Ten complaints of student sexual misconduct were reported, none of which were upheld or led to any outcome. Some complaints were ongoing at the time of response.

There were also nine complaints of staff sexual misconduct, which didn’t lead to any dismissals.

Read the full response

Falmouth

Falmouth University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Glasgow

Reported complaints:
14

Fourteen complaints of staff sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20, with no respondents being dismissed.

University of Glasgow did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request.

Read the full response

Glasgow Caledonian

Reported complaints:
3

Three complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

None of the accused was expelled.

Read the full response

Glasgow School of Art

Reported complaints:
1

One student sexual misconduct complaint made between 2017 and 2020.

None of the accused was expelled.

Read the full response

Gloucestershire

Between 2015-16 and 2019-20, the number of sexual misconduct complaints against students and staff was fewer than five

Due to the small number of complaints reported, the university cited privacy reasons for not fully responding to Al Jazeera’s request.

Read the full response

Goldsmiths

Goldsmiths did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Greenwich

Reported complaints:
11

Eleven student sexual misconduct complaints made between 2017 and 2020.

Greenwich University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Reported complaints:
5

Five complaints of student sexual misconduct.

did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Harper Adams

Reported complaints:
7

Seven complaints of student sexual misconduct reported, none of which led to disciplinary action.

No complaints of staff sexual misconduct.

Read the full response

Hartpury University

Reported complaints:
0

No complaints of sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

Read the full response

Heriot-Watt

Heriot-Watt University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Hertfordshire University

Reported complaints:
34

Thirty-two complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20.

Hertfordshire University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Highlands and Islands

Highlands and Islands did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Huddersfield

Reported complaints:
19

Thirteen complaints of student sexual misconduct reported, along with six complaints of staff sexual misconduct.

Huddersfield University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Hull

University of Hull did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Imperial College London

Reported complaints:
29

Twenty-nine complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20; none of the accused was expelled.

Imperial College did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of staff complaints reported.

Read the full response

Keele

Keele University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Kent

Reported complaints:
17

Seventeen complaints of student sexual misconduct in 2018-19.

Read the full response

King's College London

Reported complaints:
16

King’s College London did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Kingston

Reported complaints:
29

Twenty-nine complaints of student sexual misconduct led to one expulsion.

Five complaints of staff sexual misconduct were directed at one staff member. The complaint was not investigated.

Read the full response

Lancaster

Reported complaints:
41

Forty complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2018-19 and 2020-21, 16 of which were upheld.

Lancaster University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Leeds

Reported complaints:
13

No cases of student sexual misconduct reported.

However, 13 claims of staff sexual misconduct were noted, four of which were upheld and led to the accused being dismissed or disciplined.

Read the full response

Leeds Arts University

Leeds Art University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Leeds Beckett

Reported complaints:
12

Twelve complaints of sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020.

Leeds Beckett University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Leeds Trinity University

Reported complaints:
3

One case of student sexual misconduct was reported between 2017 and 2020 with an ongoing inquiry at the time of response.

Two complaints of staff sexual misconduct, one of which led to unspecified disciplinary action.

Read the full response

Leicester

Reported complaints:
21

Fifteen complaints of student sexual misconduct noted between 2017 and 2020. None of the accused was expelled.

No complaints of staff sexual misconduct.

Read the full response

Lincoln

Lincoln University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Liverpool

Reported complaints:
36

Thirty-six complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20.

University of Liverpool did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Liverpool Hope

Reported complaints:
5

Five complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20, two of which were investigated.

No complaints of staff sexual misconduct.

Liverpool Hope University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Liverpool John Moores

Liverpool John Moores did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

London Institute of Banking and Finance

Reported complaints:
0

No complaints of sexual misconduct.

Read the full response

London Metropolitan University

London Metropolitan University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

London School of Economics

Reported complaints:
12

Twelve complaints of student sexual misconduct reported; none led to expulsion.

Read the full response

London South Bank

Reported complaints:
12

Twelve complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

Read the full response

Loughborough

Reported complaints:
24

Twenty-four complaints of student sexual misconduct reported between 2017-18 and 2019-20, five of which led to disciplinary proceedings and were upheld.

Loughborough University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Manchester

Reported complaints:
18

Fifteen complaints of student sexual misconduct noted between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

Seven grievances proceeded to internal hearings; none led to the respondent’s expulsion, and police investigated four cases.

Three cases of staff sexual misconduct; two led to the accused being dismissed.

Read the full response

Manchester Metropolitan

Reported complaints:
18

Eighteen reports of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20, eight of which were investigated by the police.

None of the accused was expelled.

Read the full response

Manchester School of Architecture

Manchester School of Architecture did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Medway School of Pharmacy

Medway School of Pharmacy did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Middlesex

Middlesex University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

New College of the Humanities

Reported complaints:
0

No complaints of sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020.

Read the full response

Newcastle

University of Newcastle did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Newman

Reported complaints:
3

Three complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020.

In all three complaints, the complainant dropped out of university.

Read the full response

Northampton

University of Northampton did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Northumbria

Reported complaints:
29

Twenty-nine complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020

Three complaints were upheld and led to the suspension or expulsion of the accused.

Northumbria University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Norwich University of the Arts

Reported complaints:
13

Thirteen complaints of student sexual misconduct received in 2018-19.

Norwich University of the Arts did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Nottingham

Reported complaints:
19

One hundred complaints of student sexual misconduct reported between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Eleven complaints were heard by a sexual misconduct panel.

No complaints of staff sexual misconduct between 2019 and 2020.

Nottingham University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Nottingham Trent

Reported complaints:
49

Forty-four complaints of student sexual misconduct, noted between 2017-18 and 2019-20. None of the accused was expelled.

Five complaints of staff sexual misconduct led to one of the accused being dismissed.

Read the full response

Open University

Reported complaints:
3

The only complaint of student sexual misconduct reported between 2017-18 and 2019-20 did not progress to a hearing.

Two complaints of staff sexual misconduct were also noted, neither of which were upheld.

Read the full response

Oxford

Reported complaints:
26

Twenty-six complaints of student sexual misconduct reported between 2016-17 and 2020-21.

All were investigated and one was upheld. None of the proceedings led to the raccused being expelled.

These complaints were all sent to the central university.

Complaints made to any of the 39 colleges are not included in this number. The I-Unit contacted all Oxford colleges, but few responded and used exemptions to avoid disclosing complaint numbers.

Read the full response

Oxford Brookes

Reported complaints:
63

Sixty-three complaints of student sexual misconduct noted between 2014 and 2020.

All of these were investigated and seven cases led to the accused being expelled or suspended.

Read the full response

Pearson Business School

Pearson Business School did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Plymouth

Plymouth University refused Al Jazeera’s Freedom of Information request because “the granularity of the request” could lead to individuals involved in complaints being identified.

Read the full response

Plymouth Marjon

Reported complaints:
8

Fourteen complaints of student sexual misconduct reported between 2017-18 and 2019-20, resulting in no expulsions.

There was one complaint of staff sexual misconduct, and the respondent withdrew from the university.

Read the full response

Portsmouth

Reported complaints:
5

Five complaints of student sexual misconduct signalled between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

Three inquiries were ongoing at the time of response, and one complaint led to a penalty for the accused.

Read the full response

Queen Margaret

Reported complaints:
2

TTwo complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2016-17 and 2019-20.

None of the accused was expelled. Police investigated one complaint.

Read the full response

Queen Mary

Reported complaints:
56

Forty-nine complaints of staff sexual misconduct between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

Queen Mary University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Queen's Belfast

Reported complaints:
4

Four complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2016-17 and 2018-19.

Queen’s Belfast University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy concerns due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Ravensbourne

Reported complaints:
1

Police investigated the sole complaint of student sexual misconduct made in 2018-19.

Read the full response

Reading

Reported complaints:
14

Fourteen complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2010 and 2020.

Reading University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy concerns due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Regent's University London

Regent’s University London did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Robert Gordon

Robert Gordon University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy concerns due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Roehampton

Reported complaints:
24

Twenty-one complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20 led to two of the accused being expelled.

Three complaints of staff sexual misconduct led to one staff member being dismissed concerning other allegations.

Read the full response

Rose Bruford College

Reported complaints:
6

Six complaints of student sexual misconduct noted between 2017-18 and 2019-20, none of which was upheld.

One informal complaint against a staff member was also reported in 2018-19.

Read the full response

Royal Academy of Music

Reported complaints:
1

One complaint of student sexual misconduct in 2017. Outcome unspecified.

Read the full response

Royal Agricultural University

Royal Agricultural University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy concerns due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Royal College of Music

Royal College of Music did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported

Read the full response

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy concerns due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Royal Holloway

Reported complaints:
95

Ninety-five complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20.

Royal Holloway University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Royal Northern College of Music

Royal Northern College of Music did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Royal Veterinary College

Reported complaints:
0

No complaints of sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020.

Read the full response

Salford

Salford University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Sheffield

Reported complaints:
11

Eleven complaints of staff misconduct between 2016 and 2020 led to four of the accused being dismissed.

Sheffield University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request.

Read the full response

Sheffield Hallam

Reported complaints:
27

Twenty-seven complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020 led to no expulsions for the respondents.

Sheffield Hallam University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

SOAS University of London

Reported complaints:
11

Eleven complaints of sexual misconduct, made between 2017-18 and 2019-20. None of the accused was expelled.

Two inquiries were ongoing at the time of response.

SOAS combined the complaints made against both staff members and students, so we are unable to identify the respondents.

Read the full response

Solent University

Solent University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

South Wales

University of South Wales did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Southampton

University of Southampton did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

St Andrews

Reported complaints:
35

Thirty-one complaints of student sexual misconduct reported between 2016-17 and 2019-20. One outcome of these complaints was expulsion, but the number of outcomes was withheld.

Four complaints of staff sexual misconduct were signalled in this period, with three proceeding to disciplinary hearings.

St Andrews did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request.

Read the full response

St George's, University of London

St George’s, University of London did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints.

Read the full response

St Mary's

St. Mary’s University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Staffordshire

Staffordshire University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Stirling

Reported complaints:
21

Eighteen complaints of student sexual misconduct, made between 2016-17 and 2019-20.

None of the accused was expelled. Three cases of staff sexual misconduct were reported, two of which progressed to hearings.

Stirling University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Strathclyde

Reported complaints:
9

Five complaints of student sexual misconduct flagged between 2016-17 and 2019-20, three of which were fully investigated.

Two complaints of staff sexual misconduct from the same period were also noted.

Strathclyde University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Suffolk

Suffolk University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request. The university cited privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Sunderland

Reported complaints:
20

Twenty complaints of student sexual misconduct in 2018-19 led to six of the accused being expelled.

Sunderland University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Surrey

Reported complaints:
24

Twenty-one complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20 led to two of the accused being expelled.

In addition, two complaints of staff sexual misconduct were also flagged.

Surrey University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Sussex

Reported complaints:
26

Twenty-five complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2017-18 and 2019-20 led to two of the accused being expelled.

One complaint of staff sexual misconduct resulted in a formal warning.

Read the full response

Swansea

Reported complaints:
46

Forty-three complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2016-17 and 2019-20.

Three complaints of staff sexual misconduct during the same period.

Swansea University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Teesside

Reported complaints:
16

Eight complaints of student sexual misconduct and 10 complaints of staff sexual misconduct flagged between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

Teesside University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy concerns due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

Trinity Laban

Trinity Laban University did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

UCFB

UCFB did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Ulster

Ulster University sent Al Jazeera a response tailored to another individual’s FOI request.

Read the full response

University College Birmingham

University College Birmingham did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

University College London

University College London did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

Read the full response

University College of Estate Management

Reported complaints:
0

No complaints of sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020.

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University College of Osteopathy

University College of Osteopathy did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

University for the Creative Arts

Reported complaints:
9

Seven complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020. None of the accused was expelled.

In addition, there were two complaints of staff sexual misconduct. None of the accused was expelled.

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University of Law

University of Law did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

University of the Arts London

University of the Arts London publishes its sexual misconduct complaints publicly online here.

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

University of Wales Trinity Saint David did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

Warwick

University of Warwick did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for information.

West London

Reported complaints:
3

Three complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2018-19.

None of the accused was expelled. No complaints of staff sexual misconduct.

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West of England, Bristol

Reported complaints:
22

Twenty-two complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020 led to no expulsions.

The University of West of England, Bristol did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

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West of Scotland

Reported complaints:
0

No complaints of sexual misconduct made during the period.

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Westminster

Reported complaints:
9

Eight complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20 led to three of the accused being expelled. Police investigated two complaints.

One complaint of staff sexual misconduct was not upheld.

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Winchester

Reported complaints:
3

Three complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20.

None of the accused was expelled.

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Wolverhampton

Reported complaints:
7

Six complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2017-18 and 2019-20 led to one respondent being expelled.

One complaint of staff sexual misconduct was also flagged.

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Worcester

Reported complaints:
14

Six student sexual misconduct complaints between 2017-18 and 2019-20 led to no expulsions.

Four respondents withdrew before the complaints could be thoroughly investigated.

Two complaints of staff sexual misconduct resulted in no dismissals.

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Wrexham Glyndwr

Reported complaints:
4

Three complaints of student sexual misconduct made between 2016-17 and 2019-20 resulted in no expulsions for respondents. The police instead investigated three complaints.

In addition, one complaint of staff sexual misconduct during the same period was dismissed.

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Writtle University College

Reported complaints:
16

hirteen complaints of student sexual misconduct between 2016-17 and 2019-20 led to one respondent being expelled.

Three complaints of staff sexual misconduct were signalled, none of which led to internal hearings.

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York St John

York St John University did not fully respond to Al Jazeera’s request, citing privacy reasons due to the small number of complaints reported.

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Help lines

If you believe you are suffering from sexual abuse, misconduct, grooming, domestic violence or any other traumatic experience, the following organisations provide support to anyone wanting to talk about their experiences.