Rape among students: no government intervention

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Rape among students: no government intervention

 

There is ‘no need’ for government intervention in higher education to protect students from sexual assault and rape, writes (in Dutch) outgoing minister Van Engelshoven. She points to ombudsmen, who are already available to students.

 

Recent research by human rights organisation Amnesty shows that about one in ten female students has been raped during her time as a student, and one in a hundred male students. Many students do not know who to turn to if something happens.

 

KNAW advice

Minister Van Engelshoven was ‘shocked’ by the findings, but as yet this has not led to political action. However, she has asked the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) for advice on how to tackle undesirable behaviour in the academic world. This is expected before the end of the year.

 

The National Union of Students (LSVb) is disappointed. “You would want the minister not only to be shocked, but also to take action”, says president Ama Boahene. What can the minister do? The LSVb refers to the Amnesty manifesto. This contains recommendations such as workshops for students, training of staff members, campaigns against harmful myths about rape and better information about ‘help and reporting facilities’.

 

This week, Amnesty again draws attention to sexual violence in higher education, also in Delft. (HOP, JvE/BB)