The emotive video encapsulates Newcastle University’s serious attitude when dealing with reports of sexual harassment and misconduct. “If it does not feel okay, it is not okay”, is the central message in the video, acting as a strong reminder for students to seek help if they are placed in uncomfortable positions.
Sally Ingram, MBE, Director of Student Health and Wellbeing Services, regarding raising awareness of sexual violence said: “It is vital not just for the student population, but I think it is vital for the whole of society.” She continued, “…I wanted it [the video] to speak to people whose behaviour was damaging to others but who might not realise it.”
The video’s message is extremely relevant to contemporary society. As statistics from the Office of National Statistics (2023) estimate that 1/4 women and 1/18 men have been raped or sexually assaulted since the age of 16. Moreover, according to the Home Office (2025), fewer than 3/100 rapes that were recorded by police in the year ending September 2024 resulted in someone being charged that same year. Given these statistics, Newcastle University’s video comes at a time when speaking out against sexual violence is so important to help reduce the problem.
The video covers a variety of behaviours that are a part of sexual violence such as sharing someone’s nudes, stealthing someone, or assaulting them. It aims to educate students on these harmful behaviours. In the video, Athletic Union Officer, Alex Duggan, says: “Sexual violence affects everyone, and it is on all of us to stop it”. Her words are especially impactful when according to Northumbria Police in the Newcastle Central Area out of 949 crimes reported in December 2024, violence and sexual offences were the most common with 313 instances.
Newcastle University has an anonymous disclosure and support system, that any survivors or observers of sexual violence can utilise to report an offence. The university is there to help students take the necessary steps and provide support to those affected by sexual violence in any capacity, for example by arranging specialist therapy or PECs.
Lara Hillier, a student actor in the video said: “By being able to directly talk about it [sexual violence], we are tackling issues that university students will be able to recognise.” Ultimately, it is so important that students are aware of the well-being services that the university offers to ensure that they can have the best student experience.
Useful Links:
‘Reporting Sexual Harassment & Sexual Misconduct’ Video: https://youtu.be/ikCZn7esKeI
Wellbeing support: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/
Sexual violence support: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/our-support/sexual-violence/
Anonymous disclosure and support: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yRJQnBa2wkSpF2aBT74-h6aIq9OYJx1KsGFuzFERf2xUMklEVzBSQjRBNFJKQUdTRk0yS0ZLQzRXNyQlQCN0PWcu