A MOTHER campaigning to protect students from gender-based violence has raised safeguarding concerns with the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) after it emerged that it has dropped its requirement for students to reveal criminal convictions.
Fiona Drouet, whose 18-year-old daughter took her own life after a campaign of harassment and abuse by her boyfriend in 2016, said she understood that there was a need to ensure universities increased access for marginalised students.
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However she said she was worried that the ramifications had not been fully considered, or the expertise of violence against women organisations sought before the decision was reached.
Ucas said it had decided to stop asking applicants about unspent criminal convictions from 2019 after two years of working with charities – including the Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET), the Longford Trust, and Unlock – to better understand university access for those with criminal convictions.
Drouet said: “I have spoken to Ucas about this and been told that the data may still be gathered on a local level by universities. But we will be relying on the moral obligation of the universities to do so and it may only be collected for those in halls of residence.
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“I understand the barriers to access. But we need to gather this info so that we can make sure adequate support is put in place to keep all students safe.”
Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “Any changes to any policy or practice that might pose a risk the safety of women and girls should be done in consultation with women’s organisations.
“We would emphasise though that the most critical thing is that the universities and colleges are prepared so that when – not if - gender based violence emerges they are ready to handle it appropriately, whether there is a conviction or not.”
Ben Jordan, senior policy and qualifications manager, said: “Ucas is committed to ensuring that anyone who wants to study at university or college has the opportunity to apply, and isn’t put off by questions on the application.”
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