Published on the Guardian here.
Abuse has many allies, and silence and fear rank high among them. When unthinking sexism or plain bullying spill over into verbal taunts, physical threats, and worse, how best can they be combated? Is there really a nationwide epidemic of bad behaviour and intimidation? Or is it that a prevailing culture of respect and empathy is failing to make its voice heard?
I recently wrote to the students at Somerville College, Oxford, of which I am principal, encouraging them to speak out against an increase in sexist “laddism” or outright intimidation. There were worrying signs that the infection might be spreading here: reports of groping at social events in the college, loud jokes in public places about rape, and occasional homophobic remarks in student meetings. None of our students wanted to point the finger at their friends and peers, but it was clear that for some, the climate in the college was becoming uncomfortable. Against a background of nationwide reports about sexual harassment at universities, this college, with its traditions of tolerance and diversity, should speak out loud and clear.
Somerville College was founded in 1879 to include the excluded. One of the first two colleges to offer an Oxford education to women, it was from the beginning non-denominational, international and anti-establishment. Students from all parts of the world and all backgrounds were welcomed and flourished here, and the college became a beacon of female academic attainment. Now that our students include about 50% men, our ethos of inclusion and excellence remains as strong as ever. And yet we had to face the unthinkable: that unacceptable and threatening activities could happen not just in a wider world, but here too.
Our student body, represented by the Junior Common Room (JCR), acted quickly. An emergency meeting last weekend passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority to complement the efforts of the college deans with a robust call to action of its own. It condemned the recent increase in aggressive behaviour in the college, and actions that had led to a deterioration in respect in this close-knit community.
“Somerville should be a safe and tolerant community for all students and staff,” read part of the resolution, “Somerville does not and will not accept this type of behaviour.” It resolved to make a donation from JCR funds to the Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, as a gesture of solidarity. Other groups in college responded in other ways too. For instance, one of the sports teams had recently all attended one of the new Good Lad Workshops, and issued a letter condemning this sort of behaviour and encouraging victims to speak out.
I am proud to work with students and colleagues who are committed to our ethos of inclusion, excellence and tolerance. I am hopeful that a spasm of nastiness among a small minority of students here has been nipped in the bud by the open condemnation of the majority.
If there is a deep-rooted problem of sexism and disrespect nationwide, it is important for those who witness it in their own institution or workplace to speak out. We cannot allow silence to support a culture where fear and unhappiness can flourish. These problems are not confined to universities. Far from it. Colleges and organisations like Somerville, with our proud traditions, can play our part in speaking out, and we can help to ensure that disrespect and bad behaviour do not take root.