Reports of sexual assault since 2015/16

Request 

Dear information team,

I would like to request the following information on incidents of rape and sexual assault reported to the University since the start of the 2015/16 academic year until the time this request is answered. Please answer every question broken down by academic year.

If you are only able to provide partial data, please provide this as far as is possible rather than postponing the entire request. Should you need any clarification or have issues with managing this request within the legal limits, please let me know as soon as possible.

1. How many reports of sexual assault has the university received?

a. How many of these cases proceeded to further internal investigation or tribunal? 

b. How many of these cases proceeded to a criminal or police investigation?

c. How many of these cases led to the temporary ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

d. How many of these cases led to the permanent ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

e. What is the average length of time (days) between sexual assault being reported to the university and the case being concluded or dropped? What are the top and bottom ranges over the 2014-19 period?

2. How many reports of rape has the university received?

a. How many of these cases proceeded to further internal investigation or tribunal?

b. How many of these cases proceeded to a criminal or police investigation?

c. How many of these cases led to the temporary ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

d. How many of these cases led to the permanent ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

e. What is the average length of time (days) between rape being reported to the university and the case being concluded or dropped? What are the top and bottom ranges over the 2014-19 period?

3. How many formal complaints has the university received regarding how a report of rape or sexual assault was handled by university employees or representatives? 

a. What is the average length of time (days) between a complaint being made and the case being concluded?

b. How many formal complaints resulted in the conclusion that the report had been mishandled by university employees or representatives?

4. Does the university employ an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA)? Please specify whether this is the case for each academic year.

5. How much funding has the university allocated for sexual violence support and/or prevention? Please specify for each academic year.

6. How many referrals has the university made to external rape and/or sexual assault support services? Please specify for each academic year.

7. What is the average waiting time for the external rape and/or sexual assault services you use for referrals? (I understand you do not produce this but assume the university holds this information to advise those being referred. Please provide per academic year if possible; if not please provide your most up-to-date estimates.)

Thank you very much for your help and time, I look forward your confirmation and full response in twenty working days.

Best wishes,

Response

Dear Ms...,
 
I write further to your request for information dated 7 May 2019.  This request has been handled by the University in accordance with its duties and obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("FOIA"). 
 
You requested details of:
 

1. How many reports of sexual assault has the university received?

a. How many of these cases proceeded to further internal investigation or tribunal? 

b. How many of these cases proceeded to a criminal or police investigation?

c. How many of these cases led to the temporary ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

d. How many of these cases led to the permanent ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

e. What is the average length of time (days) between sexual assault being reported to the university and the case being concluded or dropped? What are the top and bottom ranges over the 2014-19 period? 

2. How many reports of rape has the university received?

a. How many of these cases proceeded to further internal investigation or tribunal?

b. How many of these cases proceeded to a criminal or police investigation?

c. How many of these cases led to the temporary ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

d. How many of these cases led to the permanent ban of an alleged abuser from university properties, facilities and courses?

e. What is the average length of time (days) between rape being reported to the university and the case being concluded or dropped? What are the top and bottom ranges over the 2014-19 period?

3. How many formal complaints has the university received regarding how a report of rape or sexual assault was handled by university employees or representatives? 

a. What is the average length of time (days) between a complaint being made and the case being concluded?

b. How many formal complaints resulted in the conclusion that the report had been mishandled by university employees or representatives?

4. Does the university employ an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA)? Please specify whether this is the case for each academic year.

5. How much funding has the university allocated for sexual violence support and/or prevention? Please specify for each academic year. 

6. How many referrals has the university made to external rape and/or sexual assault support services? Please specify for each academic year.

7. What is the average waiting time for the external rape and/or sexual assault services you use for referrals? (I understand you do not produce this but assume the university holds this information to advise those being referred. Please provide per academic year if possible; if not please provide your most up-to-date estimates.)

 
The University response is set out below:
  1. Your request is refused under ss.21 & 22 FOIA, as the information is readily accessible by other means and is intended for future publication. Responses to similar requests are available on the University's disclosure log - https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/freedom-of-information/.  
  2. See above.
  3. Nil
  4. 2015/16 - no. 2016/17 - no, 2017/18 - no, 2018/19 - no
  5. Information not held. Funding is allocated to the Counselling Service within Student Services. There is no separate, specific budget for sexual violence support.
  6. 2015/16 - information not held, 2016/17 - information not held, 2017/18 - information not held, 2018/19 - information not held.
  7. Information not held. 
If you are not satisfied with the handling of your request, you may request an internal review.  Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter by writing to:

Chris Ince
University Secretary
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London
N7 8DB
 
Email: c.ince@londonmet.ac.uk
 
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
 
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
 
Telephone:  0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745
Website:  www.ico.gov.uk
 
There is no charge for making an appeal.
 
Kind regards,

Tracy Brathwaite
Information Compliance Officer
University Secretary's Office
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London N7 8DB
Switchboard: 020 7423 0000