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Could Lad Culture Become Illegal? Sajid Javid Vows To Fight Sexual Harassment At University

Could Lad Culture Become Illegal? Sajid Javid Vows To 'End Evil' Of Sexual Harassment On Campus
Lucy Sherriff
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Sajid Javid MP during the Conservative Party Conference 2014, at The ICC Birmingham'.
Isabel Infantes/EMPICS Entertainment

Lad culture could soon become a criminal offence after business secretary Sajid Javid vowed to "end the evil" of sexual harassment on campus.

Javid, who is MP for Bromsgrove, has written to Universities UK, the group which represents Britain's vice-chancellors, demanding it set up a taskforce to tackle lad culture at universities.

"I’ve got three daughters and one of them is just starting her A-levels so she’s just starting to think about what she might do, and university is one of the options," Javid told the Sunday Times. "I just hate to think that she is sitting there thinking, ‘I don’t want to go to university because I might be assaulted'."

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Sajid Javid has vowed to change the culture of harassment at universities

Recent research revealed almost half of universities don't have a formal policy on sexual harassment, with one institution telling students speaking to their attackers is the "preferred" approach. Figures from May showed one in three female students had experienced discrimination or sexual harassment, with more than half of the incidents occurring on campus. Of those victims, 93% did not report their experiences.

Javid added: "We've heard increasingly of the violence, especially sexual and verbal assault, against women on campus. I guess to some extent we could say that it’s nothing new, but there are more and more reports and some people suggest it is putting people off even applying to university.

"No one wants to see that kind of environment and we thought something had to be done... If the taskforce comes back with new ideas that might even require some kind of legislation or intervention, I’m taking nothing off the table. This is a very serious issue."

12 Feminist Societies You Should Join In Freshers Week (Gallery)
Royal Holloway Feminism Society(01 of12)
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In the past year this society gained recognition from the international press for their #UglyGirlsClub campaign, won the NUS award for best women's campaign, won £500 for women's aid in the Spotify Soundclash, campaigned against the tampon tax and printed their own magazine. They have held consent workshops in association with the NUS, gathered menstrual supplies for homeless charities and worked with Bodyform on their #LiveFearless campaign. "We provide our members with a supportive network of friends that share their values." - H Beverley (Social Secretary)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
Bangor Feminist Society/Cymdeithas Ffeministaidd Bangor(02 of12)
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Co-organisers of the 'Speak Out' event, Bangor Femsoc have managed to massively increase their membership this year, holding presentations on a variety of topics, film nights and a Christmas market to raise money for Women's Aid. They also held a candlelit vigil for Leelah Alcorn with speaker Helen Belcher from Trans Media Watch which raised over £200 in donations. Teaming up with Bangor's Debate Society they held an event to discuss the stigma surrounding feminism as well as a week's worth of events for international women's week, including a history of important women, and 'Why Feminism Is For All Genders'. "We are proud to be an intersectional feminist society and welcome people from all backgrounds." - Jasper Williams (Chair)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
St Andrews Feminist Society(03 of12)
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St Andrews Feminism Society hold a monthly discussion forum 'The Blue Stockings', for debates related to Feminism and gender equality. This year they launched their journal MINERVA, featuring poems, essays, and art. In November, the event ‘Ask-A-Feminist’ was held, in which a variety of academics discussed how feminism is relevant today. They have worked hard against gender based violence, demonstrating on campus and as part of 'Reclaim The Night' as well producing podcasts and working on the 'One Billion Rising' campaign. "St Andrews feminist society is committed to focusing on intersectionality and inclusivity in it's pursuit of gender equality. We are based in a small town but continue to have a large impact in the work that we do." - Jo Boon (Coordinator)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
Newcastle Feminist Society(04 of12)
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Having doubled its membership this year, Newcastle Femsoc lobbied their union to provide free menstrual care on campus using #FreePeriods. They took part in the #BlackLivesMatter campaign, Reclaim The Night and Anti Austerity protests. Fortnightly discussions and socials including a Book Club and cocktail making nights have been popular amongst its members. "We strive to practice intersectional feminism with radical self-love and self-care at the heart of our society. All genders are welcomed and valued." - Lucy Neely Morgan (Vice President). Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
University of Birmingham Women's Association(05 of12)
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Attending 'Reclaim The Night' in London and hosting speakers on the decriminalisation of sex work are just a couple of the things this society has achieved in the past year. They held a workshop on patterns of domestic abuse and an open mic night raising money for RSVP. In addition they attended an abortion rights rally in March and have regular tea and coffee sessions. "We're hoping to do all this and more next year so if that interests you or you have some campaign ideas you'd like to see come to life you should definitely join us at tea and coffee." - Nora Selmani (Outreach Officer)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
King's College Feminism Society(06 of12)
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King's Feminism Society have held a range of events this year from an Intersectionality 101 panel to talks such as "How the Law Can Help You Fight Oppression". They also hold weekly reading groups on feminist theory and maintain an online forum of nearly 2,000 people. In the coming year they want to continue consent workshops and launch a campaign in Black History Month on the subject of BME women in academia."Our mission is to create spaces at KCL that are safe, promote discussion, produce great activism, and above all are 100% intersectionally feminist!" - Sophie (President)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
Glasgow Feminism Society(07 of12)
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In the last year, this society have held discussions on topics like misogyny in gaming and worked to put pressure on the government to not forget about the all important Bring Back Our Girls campaign. They joined up with larger feminist events in London as well as other groups on campus like LGBT+, to maintain maximum representation of marginalised groups. In their final term they held a gig to raise money for Women's Aid and hosted an event on 'challenging beauty standards and prescribed whiteness'. "Glasgow University Feminist Society is the go-to for fun and solidarity whether you're a Fresher who is looking to meet like minded people or a postgraduate" - Sarinah O'Donoghue (President)Find more information here. (credit:Facebook)
Aberystwyth Feminist Society(08 of12)
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Aberystwyth have nearly 200 members on Facebook and hold regular sessions of up to 40 people. They have succeeded in removing the 'tampon tax' on sanitary items available at our Students Union and have held talks on a range of topics from body image to the sex industry. They also host speakers (recently on Kurdish female fighters), hold feminist film nights and have a variety of socials. "We look forward to meeting new members at our Freshers Fair where we'll be giving out goody-bags that'll feature a feminist booklist, a consent booklet and more!" - Emily Power (President)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
University Of Nottingham Feminists(09 of12)
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The University Of Nottingham Feminists are a campaign group. This year they successfully ran campaigns for 'tampon tubs' in university buildings and against lad culture in sport ('The Lad Culture Pledge'). They have weekly meetings on a variety of subjects and have run consent workshop as well as their 'Femstival: punks against patriarchy' which raised £400 for Hollaback. "We are a vibrant, active and entirely intersectional feminist group which runs campaigns within the university and wider Nottingham." - Rachel Hoskins (Communications Officer) Find out more information here. (credit:University Of Nottingham Feminists)
Exeter Feminism Society(10 of12)
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This group has been at the forefront of the nationally acclaimed #NeverOk campaign, and contributed to more internationally recognised events such as One Billion Rising. They have discussed 'Gender: Binaries, Spectrums and Priviledge' to 'Compassionate Feminism' - the latter led by the inspiring speaker and Buddhist Nun, Robina Courtin. "We place an emphasis on intersectionality and regularly host collaborations with other societies, past popular events include talks with the African Carribean Society and the Islamic Society." - Francesca Wright (President)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
Edinburgh Feminism Society(11 of12)
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Edinburgh have held socials to their local roller derby, hosted a Tea & Tampons event to collect sanitary products to donate to Edinburgh Women's Aid and held weekly film screenings of movies like Made In Dagenham as well as a series of talks and discussions. "People should join if they want to find out more about the feminist movement, show their support for gender and racial equality and liberation, and get involved in some awesome campaigns and events which we hope to host next year" - Georgie Harris (Publicity Officer)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
University Of Huddersfield Feminist Society (12 of12)
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UOH Feminism Society was founded only this year and has drawn a group of people who are grateful to share their concerns and thoughts on sexism. They aim to change both their university and the wider world for the better and have been able to create a safe space for their students. "You'll meet some of the nicest like minded people that will enrich your university life." - Lorna Gray (President)Find out more information here. (credit:Facebook)
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