1. What would you like the Union to do?
The Union should lobby UCL to formally consult students – particularly feminist and gender advocacy groups – on how the "Report and Support" (R+S) system can be improved to better reflect the needs of survivors and build trust in the reporting process. While UCL uses CultureShift’s R+S platform and cannot fully redesign it, any scope for customisation and improvement should include students.
Where changes have already been introduced, the Union should ensure these are effectively implemented, communicated, and sustained, especially through times of staff turnover or leadership change.
1. Formal Student Consultation
• Lobby UCL to establish a formal consultation process with students – particularly survivors and feminist societies – to guide future improvements to R+S.
• Consultation should go beyond feedback collection and include ongoing partnership with student groups in any decision-making about system changes, language, structure, and accessibility.
2. Increased Transparency & Clear Communication
• Press UCL to regularly publish anonymised data on R+S usage, outcomes, and timelines – without compromising privacy.
• Ensure that all students are clearly informed of what happens after a report is filed, including what anonymous reports can and cannot trigger.
• Advocate for clear disclaimers about data use and follow-up protocols at the point of reporting.
3. Improve Accessibility & Survivor Support
• Ensure that the system remains trauma-informed, with reporting processes that are easy to navigate and that offer multiple options, including anonymous reporting, follow-up communication, and direct referral to specialist services.
• Monitor implementation of the new two-way communication option for anonymous reports to ensure it is used effectively and responsibly.
• Lobby for continued development of survivor support features within the platform, including:
o Direct access to specialist caseworkers.
o Referral pathways to legal advice, counselling, and academic accommodations.
o Clarity around timelines and expectations post-reporting.
4. Sustainable and Trauma-Informed Staffing
• Ensure continued training for all staff involved in receiving and responding to R+S submissions, including those newly hired or moved into relevant roles.
• Monitor implementation of First Responder training and press for regular refreshers, especially during staff transitions.
• Collaborate with UCL and SSWS to evaluate the performance of new specialist staff (e.g. Caseworkers, ISVAs) and ensure the system remains survivor-centred.
5. Explicit Consent for Data Use
• Lobby for explicit, opt-in consent before any R+S report is used for statistical analysis or institutional reporting.
• Ensure students are informed – at the point of submission – that anonymous reports will not result in formal investigations, to prevent false expectations.
2. Why would you like to do this?
While UCL has recently reviewed the Report and Support platform and introduced positive changes – including staffing increases and expanded communication features – students remain concerned about its trustworthiness, accessibility, and responsiveness. Critically:
• Survivors have not been meaningfully involved in shaping improvements.
• Concerns persist about the use of data without consent and confusion over anonymous report outcomes.
• Support groups like the Women’s Network and Gender & Feminism Society have expressed a desire for formal consultation and long-term engagement with the redesign process.
• Survivors have reported feeling abandoned or left in the dark after using the platform.
This policy would ensure that UCL is held accountable for the success and sustainability of its platform changes – and that student voices are integral to shaping a truly survivor-centred system.
3. How will this affect students?
• Increased Trust in Reporting Systems: Clearer language, student input, and informed consent will reduce fear and confusion.
• Better Survivor Support: Improvements to staffing and system features will ensure survivors receive timely, compassionate, and coordinated support.
• Stronger Student Voice in Policy: Formal consultation gives survivors and gender advocacy groups a platform to shape institutional response systems.
• More Transparent and Accountable Practice: Public reporting and process clarity will ensure UCL follows through on promises and remains accountable to the student body.