Staffordshire University signs national pledge

Staffordshire University has signed a national pledge not to use non-disclosure agreements for complaints about sexual harassment and bullying.

Male and female pictured standing inside the University
Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Jones and Students' Union President Hannah Blackburn

Staffordshire University and Staffordshire University Students' Union are proud to stand with survivors and will be continuing to work together to create a safe and supportive environment for all.

Hannah Blackburn, Students’ Union President

The voluntary pledge was initiated by former Universities Minister Michele Donelan, Maria Miller MP and the Can’t Buy My Silence campaign and has received backing from the National Union of Students.

The pledge was this week signed by Staffordshire University Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Martin Jones in the presence of Students’ Union President Hannah Blackburn.

Hannah said: “This is a public commitment to help create a safe environment for survivors and empower them to speak up and have their voices heard.

“Staffordshire University and Staffordshire University Students' Union are proud to stand with survivors and will be continuing to work together to create a safe and supportive environment for all.”

Professor Jones added: “We thank Hannah and our Students’ Union for promoting this important issue. We want anyone who feels they have been subjected to these unacceptable behaviours to report them, safe in the knowledge that their concerns will be properly dealt with and there will be no attempt to silence them.”

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