Margot Harvey, Senior Legal Analyst
Margot, formerly our Head UK Legal Analyst, is now studying for the Master of Laws (LLM) Solicitor’s Practice Programme at City University of London, aiming to qualify as a solicitor in England & Wales later this year. She focuses on employment, higher education and sexual abuse cases in the UK team.
Since 1 August 2025, universities have been bound by the Office for Students (OfS)’s Condition E6 to protect students from sexual misconduct on campus.
Paragraph E6.5 relates to intimate personal relationships and requires higher education institutions to take steps to make a “significant and credible difference in protecting students from any actual or potential conflict of interest and/or abuse of power”. Paragraph E6.6 states that a ban on intimate personal relationship will be sufficient, whereas a statement discouraging such relationships will not be.
Times Higher Education have since reported that implementation will range widely among Russell Group universities. Some universities have not yet amended to meet the new requirements. Others have stated they will not adopt the ban.
This is not wholly surprising given a broader context which normalises such relationships. Netflix released a movie adaption of Julie Whelan’s 2018 novel, My Oxford Year, which topped streaming charts globally. Critics have slammed the film for its quality, but little mention has been made of the fact the central romance is between a student and her teacher. Normalisation of relationships which are often in reality a breeding ground for coercion sets the scene for policy like this.
In practice, ambiguous policy on this point detriments students, staff and universities invested in creating safe campuses. Anna Bull, co-founder of The 1752 Group, a campaign seeking to end sexual misconduct at universities in UK, found through her research that students look to university policies when they feel uncomfortable about staff behaviour to find out whether they are justified in those concerns. Establishing clear boundaries, which are not blurry, is key to a cultural shift within an institution.
How We Can Help
All parties benefit from policy which is taking meaningful steps to protect students from sexual misconduct. It is now not only advisable but mandatory. If you need support amending your policies to maintain a safe campus and ensure compliance with Condition E6, it is important you seek prompt legal advice.
Likewise, if you have experienced sexual misconduct by a member of staff at your university, it is important you seek legal advice promptly.
Whether you are a student or a university, our lawyers can guide you through the steps needed to create safer campuses.
