University of Westminster’s Sexual Misconduct Liaison Officers (SVLOs) have been shortlisted for a Limelight Award for their commitment to supporting those affected by sexual violence within the Higher Education sector.
The LimeLight Awards, run by LimeCulture, a UK based national sexual violence and safeguarding organisation, celebrate the contributions and achievements of individual SVLOs, managers and teams who have shown excellence, dedication and commitment to helping people who have been affected by sexual violence. Among the three categories, Westminster have been nominated for the award for Outstanding Sexual Misconduct Liaison Officer Team.
The University’s team is embedded in the Student Support and Residential Life function of Westminster. The team is committed to providing a responsive, responsible and compassionate service to students who are involved in sexual misconduct cases. They cover casework support with both reporting and responding students and their efforts enable the University to apply risk managed approach to the management of reports and complaints.
Their casework insights have enabled the University to expand their confidence and expertise in this area of activity and have strengthened the relationship between Westminster and LimeCulture, offering training for senior colleagues on risk managed approaches to disciplinary processes.
The team has ensured that they update their knowledge and competencies in working with the sensitive issues that may arise in this area of work and engage in regular reflective practice to ensure their competence and wellbeing. The team has produced materials that are published on the University’s Report and Support platform that encourage students to come forward for support. They have built strong relationships with Sexual Assault Referral Centres, statutory services and third sector agencies, to extend the opportunity for specialist support to clients.
The team has also developed and delivered First Responder Awareness training, which is available to personal tutors and frontline colleagues working with students. Along with this, they have reviewed an Understanding Consent module that was introduced to students this September.
A spokesperson for the team said: “The Sexual Misconduct Liaison Officer team at Westminster are honoured and grateful to be nominated for this award - recognising the efforts of their service that was set up in 2020. The Westminster SMLOs are a dedicated team, supporting students who are going through the extremely difficult experience of sexual violence and misconduct.”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 9 November.
Find out more about support services at Westminster.
