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Update on the sexual violence task group

28 August 2020

I am pleased to announce that twelve members and a chair have been selected to serve on UCU's first ever member-led task group.

We know from past campaigns and industrial disputes that our members are creative and passionate individuals who can produce research-informed, and experience-based, solutions to the problems we face. When I ran for general secretary I pledged to establish task groups which aimed to put members' expertise and experiences to use. I am thrilled that the first of these task groups is about to start its work.

UCU frequently engages consultants, researchers and trainers to complement and inform the work of the union - and often those commissioned come from our own membership. These task groups are about making that process more open and transparent, and centering our members' experiences and expertise. 

It is my firm belief that members should be paid for this experience and expertise. To ensure that all members from across our sectors and on a range of employment contracts have the opportunity to participate in these groups, it was decided that all members of the group should be paid equally. 

We had 118 applications for the sexual violence task group. In my many years of shortlisting for jobs or in organising and campaigning I have never encountered such an impressive, passionate, and experienced group of people wanting to get involved in a collective enterprise. The process of establishing this task group and the overwhelming interest and response have also made it clear that these groups are going to be an incredibly important mechanism for involving new activists in our union. Many applicants told us how excited they were to have a new, accessible and flexible route to participation in the union which complements our existing structures. 

The task group will commence in September. Given the subject matter of the task group, and in line with requests from members, we have taken the decision to allow task group members to remain anonymous for the duration of the task group if they wish to. It is unfortunate we have to take this step, but we have a duty to recognise and mitigate against the harassment that is often experienced by people who work in this area.

Many applicants have indicated that they would like to stay involved with this area of work despite not sitting on the task group. We are currently working on a way to facilitate this and will update you when we have plans in place.

Last updated: 6 May 2022