The Office for Students Condition E6 comes into force today, 1 August, and marks a landmark moment for higher education in England.
For the first time, expectations around how universities respond to harassment and sexual misconduct are no longer simply guidance or best practice — they are enforceable. This change brings a much-needed shift in how institutions are held accountable for creating safe and respectful environments for students and staff alike.
The continuing, pervasive nature of harassment and sexual violence — both in wider society and on our university campuses — remains a blight we cannot ignore. For too long, responses across the sector have been inconsistent. Condition E6 seeks to change that by ensuring all universities meet clear, enforceable standards.
Yes, for some universities, Condition E6 may feel like yet another regulatory requirement, arriving at a time when many institutions are already managing significant pressures — from resource constraints to the volatile dynamics of the sector. But rather than viewing Condition E6 as a burden, we see it as an opportunity.
Drawing on our extensive experience supporting the higher education sector, here LimeCulture, we believe E6 offers something vital: a renewed, purposeful focus on developing safer cultures that are respectful, accountable and high-achieving. These are not ‘nice-to-haves’; they are the foundation for academic excellence, creativity and innovation.
At LimeCulture, we’ve been hugely proud to support universities in building that foundation. We were the architects of the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) Model, which provides organisations with specialist internal support provision, we’ve also developed a range of tailored training programmes, including our newly launched eLearning packages for staff and students to help institutions embed effective and meaningful responses to sexual violence and harassment. Our work spans strategy, policy, training and support services — all designed to help universities not only comply with E6, but to lead the way in transforming campus cultures.
Today is a significant step forward — not just because of a new condition in the regulatory handbook, but because it signals a sector-wide commitment to safety, respect, and accountability. Let’s not miss this opportunity.
Now is the time for leadership. Now is the time for culture change.
