Report and Support Second Report September 2021 to August 2022

Report and Support makes an important contribution to the refreshed University Strategy key objectives; to foster an inclusive and compassionate culture where all feel able to be their authentic selves and to build greater diversity across our student and staff communities and make real progress in addressing inequalities. 

In co-ordinating Report and Support, we acknowledge the reality that members of our community have been subjected to harassment, discrimination, sexual violence, and bullying behaviours. Whilst these behaviours are evident in all facets of society, and our University is no exception, this report is one outcome of a range of work detailed in the first report.  

The University of St Andrews launched Report and Support in November 2020. The first report covered the period from November 2020 to May 2021. This second report provides an overview of the reports made during the full academic year of September 2021 to end of August 2022 and a comparison with the available data from the previous academic year. In this report, we share data insights, describe the creation of additional categories, review the first action plan and document the second action plan. The authors are grateful to students and staff who have shared their experiences and expectations of using the Report and Support tool.  

Key findings from this report are that: 

  • More people are reporting; 217 reports were made from September 2021 to end of August 2022 whilst 138 reports were made in the 10 months between November 2020 and end of August 2021. 
  • More are using their contact details; 59% (129) of reports included contact details, whilst 41% (88) of reports were made anonymously in 2021-2. 
  • Most reporters identify as women. 70% (121) of those who provided a gender identity in 2021-2 selected ‘woman’. This is an increase from 56.6% in 2020-1. 
  • Most reporters are students, with 82% of total reports in 2021-2. Staff made 6.5% of reports in the same period.  
  • More people are reporting mental health difficulties. A ‘mental health difficulty such as depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder’ was the most frequently selected disability at 25.6% (51) in 2021-2, up from 19.1% (27) in 2020-1.