David Ruebain: Mandatory training on harassment and sexual misconduct
Posted on behalf of: University of Sussex
Last updated: Friday, 1 August 2025

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion), Professor David Ruebain, wrote to all staff earlier today. Below you can read his full message:
Dear Colleague,
A new Office for Students condition of registration, Condition E6, comes into effect today, Friday 1 August, introducing enhanced requirements for institutions to protect students from harassment and sexual misconduct. For some time now, we have been preparing to meet the requirements with a number of developments including a new Personal Relationships Policy and collated information in a new webpage for students.
All staff are now required to undertake new online training. The training for staff, including those working at the University who are employed by third party contractors, must be completed by Friday 19 September and please may I ask you to ensure this. It will take around 45-60 minutes to complete.
In addition, all new students will be required to complete online training at the start of the academic year. This will replace the current Consent Matters training.
What is the new training and why must all staff take it?
The University has long been committed to protecting our community and preventing and tackling harassment and sexual misconduct. We aim to foster a safe, inclusive and respectful work and learning environment, and the new online training meets the requirements of Condition E6 and will help staff and students understand acceptable behaviours and practices and prevent harassment and sexual misconduct.
You can read more about Condition E6 on Advance HE’s Knowledge Hub.
With good wishes,
David Ruebain
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion)