- The university currently relies on evidence that is beyond reasonable doubt
- But over 800 students have called for changes to the disciplinary system
- They want the decisions to be based on the balance of probabilities
Cambridge University is facing pressure to make it easier for sexual predators to be found guilty in disciplinary cases.
The university currently relies on evidence that is beyond reasonable doubt – the criminal standard of proof.
However, more than 800 students have called for changes to the disciplinary system. They want the decisions to be based on the balance of probabilities – the lower, civil standard of proof.
More than 800 Cambridge University students have called for changes to the disciplinary system
They have signed an open letter to vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Toope, claiming that ‘upholding a criminal standard of proof actively discourages survivors and victims of sexual harassment, rape and assault from engaging with the disciplinary procedure’.
It comes after the university admitted in February that it had a ‘significant problem’ with claims of sexual harassment. Students said that changing the sexual assault rules ‘will give survivors and victims of sexual assault more confidence to access [the disciplinary procedure]’.
The letter states: ‘By requiring cases to be proven “beyond reasonable doubt” the university is implying that there are unlikely to be consequences for perpetrators in disciplinary cases pertaining to sexual misconduct, unless the survivor goes to the police. We ask that the balance of probabilities be adopted.’
The university’s review committee on student discipline is now considering changing the standard of proof required for misconduct claims, according to a document seen by The Daily Telegraph.
Sarah D’Ambrumenil, head of the office for student conduct at Cambridge, said: ‘The university is currently in a period of consultation about the disciplinary procedure.’
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