Beer kegs and drinking games banned from Sydney University

Sydney University will ban beer kegs and drinking games in a tough new crackdown to reduce sexual misconduct and bullying within its residential colleges. 

The move was sparked by a review which revealed a large amount of women felt pressured into drinking unwillingly and to ‘hook up’ to ‘fit in’, Daily Telegraph reports. 

Former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick conducted an investigation over 18 months after a sharp rise in college ‘hazing’ scandals. 

‘Our evidence found that or women in particular, the college experience can be quite different to that of their male peers,’ Ms Broderick said. 

She suggested colleges ban any ‘drinking implement that may encourage rapid consumption of alcohol’ including ‘kegs, funnels, yard glasses and beer bongs’.

While most students across five surrounding colleges reported a positive sense of belonging, 20 per cent had been ridiculed through bullying, intimidation or ‘hazing’.

Out of those surveyed, Ms Broderick said nine per cent reported feeling pressure to have sex to ‘fit in’, with women most likely to experience pressure at 11 per cent, compared with males at five per cent. 

Vice Chancellor Dr Michael Spence noted the need for an improvement in the university’s systems for reporting sexual misconduct 

The university recognised its need to change in a number of areas, with Vice Chancellor Dr Michael Spence noting the need for improvement in its systems for reporting sexual misconduct.

‘The report has highlighted a number of areas the university can improve on and it is determined to make practical reforms as recommended in the report,’ Dr Spence said.

Along with many feeling pressured into performing sexual acts, 15 per cent of women felt pressed to drink when they didn’t want to.