LimeCulture has been working with Universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) since 2015 to develop strategic and operational approaches to preventing and responding to sexual violence across the UK.
We are a leading provider of training and consultancy services to Universities, HEIs and Students’ Unions to support their response to sexual violence.
Our sector-leading interventions are specifically designed to support staff to develop the skills and expertise they need to confidently and effectively respond to sexual violence within the university context.
Contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk to discuss your needs and explore what we can do for you.
To date, LimeCulture has supported more than 80 higher education institutions to improve their response to sexual misconduct through our training and consultancy services, including:
- Strategic Development Events to support universities in developing whole-institution approaches
- Support pathway and service reviews
- Cultural and safeguarding reviews
- Developing policies, procedures, and risk governance
- Delivering specialist training programmes to university staff and stakeholders.
Contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk to discuss your needs and explore what we can do for you.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in England will, from 1 August 2025, be subject to a new condition of registration on harassment and sexual misconduct from the Office for Students (OfS).
This requires English universities and colleges to demonstrate the steps they are taking to make a ‘significant and credible difference’ in protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct, and to have a clear and appropriate response when it does occur.
LimeCulture can support your institution to deliver an effective response to harassment and sexual misconduct, and ensure you are compliant with the new condition of registration, but undertaking a review of your current approach and working with you to develop a focused action plan.
We can also provide tailored consultancy support and specialist training to assist you in meeting the new requirements.
Contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk to find out more.
LimeCulture’s Strategic Development Events are designed to support Universities across the UK to build and review a whole-organisation approach to sexual violence/misconduct.
Through these events, our experienced facilitators will support Universities to:
- Ensure senior leaders have a good understanding about sexual misconduct in the Higher Education Sector, and the expectations on Universities
- Consider the current strengths in the University’s approach to sexual misconduct, and identify local challenges and gaps
- Develop their local response to sexual misconduct
- Engage with stakeholders from across the University footprint to build consensus, shared understanding, and shared strategic priorities
- Through a facilitated action planning session, support leaders to identify lead responsibilities and how participants will work together to deliver the plan.
Each event is carefully designed around the specific needs of the University. We will work with you in advance to identify key challenges and areas for exploration for your institution, and to identify and engage relevant stakeholders across your University footprint.
Strategic Development Events are intended for senior University leaders and decision-makers including:
- Vice Chancellors, Deputy and Pro-Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Provosts
- Other senior leaders accountable for risk
- Heads of relevant University services (e.g. Wellbeing/Support, Security, Accommodation, Conduct/Discipline, Human Resources, Sports
- Diversity and Inclusion Leads
- Students’ Union leaders (senior staff and/or officers)
The event can be delivered over one day, or across two half-days.
Contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk to find out more.
Assessing, identifying, mitigating, managing and appropriately communicating information about risks and needs is vital to ensuring an appropriate and effective University response to sexual violence/ misconduct. Universities have a duty of care and duty of contract to reduce and, if possible, eliminate risks posed to all members of their University community. This includes those reporting and those being reported for sexual misconduct.
The Sexual Misconduct Risk and Needs Assessment is a topic-based risk and needs assessment Tool published by LimeCulture in 2019, although development work was sector-led. It is intended to support Universities to identify and manage the individual risks and needs of students and staff, where there has been a disclosure or report of sexual misconduct. The tool can support Universities to manage individual and organisational risks associated with cases of sexual misconduct from the point of the initial report to the conclusion of any disciplinary process or the point at which parties may leave the institution.
The tool is based on the principle that risk and needs assessments should be structured and approached as consistently as possible over a period of time and across different settings and different Universities. A consistent approach to risk and needs identification (and their management) will enable a better understanding of both/ all parties’ needs and assist in case management and prioritisation.
All staff delivering support to disclosing/ reporting or reporting/ responding parties, and those staff who sit on risk management/ ‘students of concern’ groups should receive relevant training around risk and needs assessment and management relating to sexual violence at regular intervals.
To get a better understanding of how the tool works, and to talk through more complex scenario examples, consider registering for one of our upcoming workshops.
For further information please contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk.
Our training programmes for Universities and Students’ Union staff are practical in focus, designed to ensure those undertaking relevant roles are equipped with the tools, skills, expertise, confidence and competence they need to respond effectively to students and staff. We can also develop bespoke training on request.
For more information, and to book courses see below
“It [the training] was very specific for universities which I found helpful as someone who just recently joined.”
“The trainers set out a clear, evidence-based rationale for why the approaches they outlined are best practice whilst also acknowledging challenges we may experience in following best practice.”
“I was really impressed with the way the trainers managed the session. Explaining what we would be discussing; warning when we were about to watch a video that could be particularly upsetting; allowing us to leave the room and offering support if needed; giving plenty of time for discussion, comments, and questions.”
“Genuinely the best training I’ve attended on any subject. Thank you.”
Taught online over two three-day modules, LimeCulture’s accredited SVLO Development Programme aims to equip key University and Higher Education Institution (HEI) staff with the knowledge and skills to appropriately meet the needs of students and staff who are affected by sexual violence/misconduct to students and staff (either recently or non-recently).
The SVLO Development Programme was developed by LimeCulture in collaboration with the University sector.
The programme includes:
- Module 1: Delivering an effective response to disclosures of sexual violence, identifying needs and managing risk.
- Module 2: Facilitating access to appropriate support, including the involvement of the criminal justice process.
Each of the two modules is taught over three consecutive days to minimise the amount of time staff are away from their organisations and to allow reflection between modules.
This course seeks to also give University and HEI staff the confidence and expertise to help embed and influence practice in their organisation’s response to sexual violence.
Book a place on the next Programme – November 2024
Course suitability
This programme is suitable for any University (including Students’ Union) staff who work to support reporting and/ or responding parties from the student or staff body, and those responsible for managing support services.
Other organisations working closely with Universities or University students and/or staff, and who have a responsibility for student wellbeing and welfare, may also find this programme beneficial.
Please note, the SVLO Development Programme is also relevant for Sexual Violence and Misconduct Liaison Officers (SVMLOs) in Scotland.
LimeCulture recognises that everyone learns in different ways and we work hard to ensure our training is as inclusive and accessible as possible through using a variety of approaches within each course. We encourage you to get in touch with us directly if there are further adjustments you may need to support your learning and/or participation in our programmes.
Course Fee
£1,350 plus VAT per person.
The course fee includes access to all learning materials and suggested further reading and resources.
Training Times
Registration commences at 9.30am. Training delivery starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm on each day of the training. Delegates are required to attend all direct learning and (where relevant) assessment hours.
Accreditation
This qualification has been developed to meet the specific needs of our learners and has been accredited by NCFE demonstrating quality and rigour.
NCFE is an awarding organisation recognised by the Qualification Regulators for England (Ofqual), Wales (Qualifications Wales) and Northern Ireland (CCEA Regulation). This is an unregulated qualification and is not a nationally recognised qualification.
To receive the certificate of accreditation, delegates must attend for the full learning hours and complete the relevant assessment to the required pass mark. This will take place within the training module/course. Our trainers will be on hand for support throughout; reasonable adjustments can be granted for anyone with additional learning needs.
On completion of the Customised Qualification for Sexual Violence Liaison Officers, learners will receive a certificate of achievement. The certificate is evidence of the knowledge and skills gained by completing the qualification. This qualification has been accredited by NCFE under the Customised Qualification and certificates of achievement will be issued directly by NCFE
SVLO CPD Programme
LimeCulture encourages and supports continued professional development for Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLO) as they grow and develop in their roles.
Through our new CPD programme, SVLOs who have completed the SVLO Development Programme will have the opportunity to further develop their understanding and skills around supporting students/staff in specific circumstances.
Supporting Sex Workers CPD
This one-day accredited course aims to enhance SVLOs’ ability to support those who are currently working or have previously worked in the sex work industry, ranging from street to online-facilitated sex work. This course is also suitable for SVLO Managers, or those within student wellbeing or other similar roles within higher education with a focus on responding to sexual misconduct.
This programme has been specifically designed and developed in consultation with National Ugly Mugs, a leading UK-wide charity working with sex workers to undertake research, and design and deliver safety tools; and to provide support services to people in the adult industries.
Those attending this course will:
- Understand the definitions of sex work and sex trafficking, and how this may apply in the context of higher education.
- Learn about current sex work and sex trafficking legislation.
- Understand the additional barriers victims/survivors in the sex work industry may face in disclosing or reporting sexual misconduct.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the complexities individuals involved in the sex work industry may face when accessing support services or navigating the criminal justice system.
- Explore the differences in the SVLO role when supporting either reporting or reported parties involved in the sex work industry.
Booking
Course Date – Tuesday 6 May 2025
Course Fee
£260 plus VAT per delegate
Course Suitability
This course is suitable for SVLOs and SVLO Managers, or those within student wellbeing or other similar roles within higher education with a focus on responding to sexual misconduct.
This course is delivered online.
LimeCulture recognises that everyone learns in different ways and we work hard to ensure our training is as inclusive and accessible as possible through using a variety of approaches within each course. We encourage you to get in touch with us directly if there are specific adjustments you may need to support your learning and/or participation in our programmes.
Accreditation
These qualifications have been developed to meet the specific needs of our learners and have been accredited by demonstrating quality and rigour.
To receive the certificate of accreditation, delegates must attend for the full learning hours and complete the relevant assessment to the required pass mark. This will take place within the training module/course. Our trainers will be on hand for support throughout; reasonable adjustments can be granted for anyone with additional learning needs.
On completion of the course, learners will receive a certificate of achievement as evidence of the knowledge and skills gained by completing the qualificatio
Sexual Misconduct Responder: Handling Disclosures
The first response when a disclosure of sexual violence/misconduct is made is central to everything that follows, including the confidence, wellbeing and safety of the reporting and responding parties, their confidence in the university/HEI, and potential future criminal justice and discipline processes.
LimeCulture’s University Sexual Misconduct Responder: Handling Disclosures training is a 1-day course that covers topics including:
- The context of sexual misconduct in Universities
- Definitions and explanations of sexual violence/misconduct and consent
- Effective communication in the context of sexual violence (in Universities)
- Responding to a disclosure – including what to say and do before, during and after – considering information sharing, confidentiality and risk.
Our University Sexual Misconduct Responder: Handling Disclosures training equips University (including Students’ Union) staff with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately and effectively to individuals and mitigate any adverse impact on the individuals involved, the University’s processes, and the criminal justice process (where relevant).
Course suitability
This course is suitable for all University/Students’ Union staff who are (or could be) first responders to students or staff who may make a disclosure of sexual violence/misconduct. Anyone based within the University can access this course and no prior learning is needed.
Course fee and dates
We are now offering an open course for institutions wishing to train smaller cohorts, this course will be delivered online for a fee of £225 plus VAT per delegate.
Book a place on the next course Thursday 3 April 2025.
This course can also be provided in-house, delivered online, or face to face, offering your institution a tailored delivery. Bespoke costs and available dates can be provided on request by contacting us at universities@limeculture.co.uk
The course fee includes access to all learning materials and suggested further reading and resources.
Training times
Registration commences at 9.30am. Training delivery starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm.
Sexual Misconduct Discipline Proceedings Training
The management of proceedings addressing sexual misconduct reports require Universities to strike a balance to meet the needs of all parties as well as their own responsibilities and obligations, including a duty of care to the wider University community.
Universities will want to be confident that any work undertaken as part of sexual misconduct proceedings does not risk a detrimental impact on potential future criminal justice proceedings.
It is critical that all staff involved in sexual misconduct discipline proceedings understand the context of sexual violence/misconduct and are properly equipped with the knowledge and skills to adopt a trauma-informed approach.
Course content
The Sexual Misconduct Discipline Proceedings Training is a 2-day programme and covers:
- The context of sexual misconduct in Universities
- Definitions and explanations of sexual violence/misconduct and consent
- Effective communication in the context conducting disciplinary proceedings for sexual misconduct, considering a trauma-informed approach
- Risk, information-sharing, confidentiality and record keeping
- The University’s responsibility in responding to reports of sexual misconduct
- The roles and responsibilities of conduct staff throughout a sexual misconduct disciplinary case.
This course can be delivered online or face-to-face.
Course suitability
This course is suitable for staff who have a role in a disciplinary process where sexual misconduct reports are considered. This may include staff who initially review reports, staff who handle cases throughout the discipline process, staff who provide support alongside disciplinary processes, staff who investigate sexual misconduct reports, and/or staff who are tasked with reaching an outcome and selecting appropriate sanctions (e.g. discipline panel/ hearing staff).
Staff in Senior Leadership roles who hold responsibility for non-academic misconduct policies and procedures (for staff and students) may also find this programme beneficial.
Training times
Registration commences at 9.30am. Training delivery starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm on each day of the training.
Course fee and dates
This course is provided in-house. Bespoke costs and available dates can be provided on request by contacting us at universities@limeculture.co.uk
The course fee includes access to all learning materials and suggested further reading and resources.
SVLO Managers’ Workshop
LimeCulture developed the Sexual Violence (Misconduct) Liaison Officer (SVLO – SVMLO in Scotland) role in 2016. Since then, we have trained hundreds of SVLOs to be the ‘go-to people’ in universities, with specialist knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to sexual violence.
Whilst the SVLO is a vital role in itself, it is critical that those managing SVLOs are able to provide appropriate support and understanding to their teams to enable the delivery of safe and effective SVLO support, and to contribute to the institution-wide approach to tackling sexual violence/misconduct.
Course content
Delivered online, the 2-day SVLO Managers’ Workshop covers topics including:
- The SVLO/SVMLO role and university governance
- Sexual violence terminology, impact, and trauma-informed support
- Managing disclosures
- Risk and referrals
- Safeguarding, confidentiality, and information governance
- Communication and feedback
- Caseload management
- Vicarious trauma
This course is case-study based.
Click here for course dates and to book
Course suitability
This course is suitable for all University/Students’ Union staff who are the designated lead or manager for a single, or team of, SVLO(s)/SVMLO(s).
Delegates do not need to have completed SVLO/SVMLO training themselves to attend this course; however, please do indicate your training status when booking.
Course fee
£500 plus VAT per delegate. Course fees are inclusive of all training materials and additional resources.
Training times
Registration commences at 9.30am. Training delivery starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm on each day of the training. Delegates are required to attend all direct learning and (where relevant) assessment hours
Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) Refresher Programme
LimeCulture developed the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO – SVMLO in Scotland) model in 2016. Since then, we have trained hundreds of SVLOs to be the ‘go-to people’ in universities, with specialist knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to sexual violence/misconduct.
This two-day course provides those who have previously completed the accredited Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Development Programme with the opportunity to update and refresh their knowledge and skills in key areas relevant to the delivery of SVLO support, to continue their professional development.
LimeCulture recommends that those operating in the SVLO role undertake refresher training at least every three years.
LimeCulture recognises that everyone learns in different ways and we work hard to ensure our training is as inclusive and accessible as possible through using a variety of approaches within each course. We encourage you to get in touch with us directly if there are further adjustments you may need to support your learning and/or participation in our programmes.
About the training
This course will refresh and build further upon content from the SVLO Development Programme, including:
- Responding to disclosures of sexual violence
- Embedding trauma-informed communication
- Information governance and managing risk
- Signposting and referrals to specialist services and the criminal justice process
- Updates on legislation, policy and practice
Delegates will have the opportunity to work through case studies with our experienced trainers, and share practice and challenges with their peers.
Course suitability
This course is suitable for SVLOs that have completed LimeCulture’s accredited Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Development Programme.
Booking
Click here for course dates and to book.
Course fee
£550 plus VAT per delegate. Course fees are inclusive of all training materials and additional resources.
Training Times
Registration commences at 9.30am. Training delivery starts at 10.00am and finishes at 4.30pm. Delegates are required to attend all direct learning and assessment hours.
There is an assessment at the end of day 2 which must be completed and passed in order to gain accreditation.
Academic research, and particularly research involving interviewing participants, can be difficult to navigate on its own. Conducting research involving interviews with victims/survivors of sexual violence can be especially challenging and requires a trauma-informed approach in all engagement with participants.
This workshop is intended to provide those involved in research at any stage the opportunity to discuss their questions and concerns about conducting research in this area, and develop the knowledge they need to improve individual practices. The workshop will include discussions around the nuances of sexual violence, how to establish appropriate processes, and how to conduct conversations through a trauma-informed approach.
Course suitability
This workshop is designed to be hosted for a small group (usually 2-5 delegates) of researchers from one organisation, usually who are working on the same research project.
This workshop may also be appropriate and useful for those conducting research outside of the University setting.
Courses can be delivered online or face-to-face.
To book
This workshop can be tailored to meet researchers’ individual requirements – please contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk to discuss your training needs.
Identifying, assessing, mitigating, managing and appropriately communicating information about risks and needs are all vital to ensuring an appropriate and effective whole-institution response to sexual violence/misconduct. Universities have a duty of care and duty of contract to reduce and, if possible, eliminate risks posed to all members of their University community. This includes those reporting and those being reported for sexual misconduct.
In 2019, LimeCulture created the first sector-wide toolkit to support a whole-University approach to managing risk related to sexual misconduct.
Course content
This 2.5 hour workshop equips delegates with an understanding of the nuances of risk management in the area of sexual violence/misconduct in higher education and will support staff to consider how this can be managed appropriately and effectively across their organisation.
Topics covered will include:
- What risk is – particularly in the University context
- What a risk management model may look like in practice
- How the LimeCulture Sexual Misconduct Risk and Needs Assessment tool can be integrated into current ways of working to deliver a comprehensive risk framework
- Exploration of real-life case studies to enable delegates to put the assessment tool into practice.
Course suitability
Any and all University and Students’ Union staff involved in any aspect of the risk management of sexual misconduct cases within a University setting are encouraged to attend.
This might include staff who are involved in supporting students who have disclosed sexual violence, staff who are responsible for managing risk across the organisation (for example, a ‘Students of Concern’ group or panel), and staff who are ultimately accountable for risk management processes across the organisation.
Delegates/organisations do not have to be currently using the LimeCulture Risk and Needs Assessment tool to attend this workshop.
Course fee and dates
At present this course is provided in-house and can be delivered either online or face-to-face.
Please contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk to discuss your training needs, and request a bespoke quotation.
Course fees include access to all learning materials and suggested further reading and resources.
Guidance: Embedding Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Support
In November 2023, LimeCulture published new guidance for higher education institutions (HEIs) seeking to develop and embed Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) support.
The guidance aims to support HEIs considering how best to embed SVLO support by clarifying the key roles and responsibilities of the SVLO role, setting out important considerations for ensuring the safe and effective SVLO provision, and capturing learning and insights from HEIs that have already successfully embedded SVLO models.
It also seeks to support HEIs that have already introduced SVLO support by sharing good practice and identifying further steps that can be taken to ensure SVLO provision is fully embedded in the institutional response to sexual violence.
Download the guidance here: Embedding SVLO Support – Guidance for HEIs November 2023
Sexual Misconduct Risk and Needs Assessment
Assessing, identifying, mitigating, managing and appropriately communicating information about risks and needs is vital to ensuring an appropriate and effective University response to sexual violence/ misconduct. Universities have a duty of care and duty of contract to reduce and, if possible, eliminate risks posed to all members of their University community. This includes those reporting and those being reported for sexual misconduct.
The Sexual Misconduct Risk and Needs Assessment (PDF 300K) is a topic-based risk and needs assessment Tool published by LimeCulture in 2019, although development work was sector-led. It is intended to support Universities to identify and manage the individual risks and needs of students and staff, where there has been a disclosure or report of sexual misconduct. The tool can support Universities to manage individual and organisational risks associated with cases of sexual misconduct from the point of the initial report to the conclusion of any disciplinary process or the point at which parties may leave the institution.
The tool is based on the principle that risk and needs assessments should be structured and approached as consistently as possible over a period of time and across different settings and different Universities. A consistent approach to risk and needs identification (and their management) will enable a better understanding of both/ all parties’ needs and assist in case management and prioritisation.
All staff delivering support to disclosing/ reporting or reporting/ responding parties, and those staff who sit on risk management/ ‘students of concern’ groups should receive relevant training around risk and needs assessment and management relating to sexual violence at regular intervals.
Use of this tool is not mandated but we recommend that Universities adopt it as part of their routine practice to support effective and consistent risk and need identification, inform the support put in place and the overall management of risk within a University.
Download the free Sexual Misconduct Risk and Needs Assessment (PDF 300K)
Download our blank, editable templates here: Editable Templates Word Document
For more information and examples of how to use the tool, please download our Case Studies Guide here: University Risk and Needs Assessment Case Studies Guide Risk and Needs Tool PDF
To get a better understanding of how the tool works, and to talk through more complex scenario examples, consider registering for one of our upcoming workshops.
For further information please contact us at universities@limeculture.co.uk.
Sexual Violence Liaison Officer Role
LimeCulture developed the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO – SVMLO in Scotland) role in 2016, and have since trained hundreds of SVLOs to be the ‘go to’ people in universities with the specialist knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to sexual violence/misconduct.
We are delighted to be able to share a model job description for the SVLO role to support universities/HEIs in implementing their own SVLO models.
Evaluation of a Case Management Process in the Effective Response to Sexual Violence at Keele University
In Spring 2018, LimeCulture CIC and Intersol Global Ltd worked with colleagues at Keele University to conduct a comprehensive review of the introduction of a case management approach at Keele as a part of the University’s response to sexual misconduct in the University community.
The review looked in particular at the role of the case manager, the interface of the case manager role and the SVLO role and the management of sexual misconduct cases in light of the Pinsent Mason guidance. The report highlights what worked well, where there were gaps and made recommendations to enhance the current process.
Keele has taken a difficult role at the forefront of developing the higher education sector response to issues of sexual misconduct and continues to share the learning from their experience with the sector by publishing this report for the benefit of colleagues also working in this field.
If you have any questions, please email universities@limeculture.co.uk
The report is available to download by clicking this link: Keele Report Publication.
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