A YORK partnership which aims to promote healthier student relationships and tackle sexual violence and harassment on campus has received a £40,000 boost.

A joint bid between York St John University, York College and local charities has won the funding from the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE).

York-based sexual violence organisation Survive and domestic abuse charity IDAS will work with both educational establishments to start discussions and deliver training and guidance to students and staff to help combat sexual violence and harassment.

This will include practical bystander skills to safely challenge unacceptable behaviour and consent awareness to increase understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship.

The project will involve students from both institutions, who will take the lead in developing high quality, relevant and accessible resources and systems to highlight the importance of healthy relationships, consent and respect.

Professor Karen Stanton, vice chancellor at York St John, said: “Safeguarding students is a priority across the higher education sector.

“York St John University is committed to building on our existing positive initiatives so that we maintain a safe culture and environment for students.

“By working with partners that value each other’s expertise and experience, this funding enables us to develop, implement and share further good practice and reflects our city-wide approach to tackling this issue.”

Chief officer of Survive, Dani Wardman, said they were delighted with the funding. She said: “We are thrilled to hear this much needed initiative will be going ahead with dedicated funding and really look forward to working closely with college and university staff and students on aiding understanding and challenging sexual violence and harassment on campus.”

Universities minister Jo Johnson said: “We take any form of violence and sexual harassment extremely seriously, and expect universities to take a zero-tolerance approach.

“The interest and response to HEFCE’s fund has been hugely encouraging.

"The number of projects announced and the support shown reinforces the willingness of universities, across the country, to support staff and students in providing safe and secure campuses and I look forward to seeing the impact of these projects in due course.”