With the compliance deadline fast approaching, institutions must take meaningful action, fast. One of the most effective ways to do so is through targeted eLearning solutions that drive awareness, encourage accountability, and equip students and staff with the tools they need to foster a safer environment.
Why the OfS condition E6 matters: the need for harassment and sexual misconduct training
Harassment and sexual misconduct are growing concerns in higher education, with multiple studies highlighting the urgent need for institutions to act:
- A February 2025 OfS pilot survey revealed that 20% of respondents had experienced sexual harassment. 9% had encountered unwanted sexual contact
- A 2018 study by Revolt Sexual Assault and the Student Room found that 62% of students and graduates had experienced some form of sexual violence while at university
- Research by Universities UK in the 2021-22 academic year showed that 42% of students had experienced racial harassment, demonstrating that discrimination and misconduct extend beyond just sexual violence
Ann Allcock, our head of diversity, explains: “Harassment and sexual misconduct are not new issues for higher education. The OfS requirements for all registered institutions provide an overdue focus and spell out clear and concrete actions to protect students. The training and awareness-raising components of E6 represent a key part of an effective response to the overall aim.”
Without comprehensive training, institutions risk failing their students – not just in policy, but in real-life campus safety.
What it means to comply with the OfS condition E6
Under the new condition, universities must implement and maintain clear policies and procedures that outline how they plan to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct. These policies must be publicly accessible and presented as a comprehensive source of information (CSI) – whether as a standalone document or a dedicated webpage.
To ensure institutions make a significant and credible difference in student safety, the OfS E6 condition also requires universities to:
- Define and share the meanings of harassment and sexual misconduct to improve awareness
- Inform students about the policies and reporting procedures in place to support them
- Prevent conflicts of interest and the abuse of power in staff-student relationships – with a recommendation to consider an outright ban
“Both staff and students must understand what harassment and sexual conduct mean, and the variety of ways in which they show up in practice on today’s campuses,” Allcock says.
“Staff must be confident and adequately skilled to respond to issues that are brought to their attention. And learners and employees alike must understand both expected appropriate behaviours and what to do when they experience or witness something that falls outside them.”
While these requirements set a strong foundation for institutional accountability, universities must also take proactive steps to educate their staff and students. This is where eLearning solutions play a crucial role.
How eLearning supports OfS condition E6 compliance
Ciphr eLearning has developed a comprehensive OfS condition E6 eLearning suite designed to help HE providers meet these new compliance requirements. This suite offers foundational training for both staff and students, and will equip them with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate and uphold the principles of E6.
What’s included in the OfS condition E6 eLearning suite?
New overview module: ‘Harassment and Sexual Misconduct: How Our University Responds’
- Available in staff and student versions, our harassment and sexual misconduct module introduces the core principles of the OfS condition E6 and how institutions should respond to incidents
- It’s fully customisable for each university, allowing you to integrate their own CSI policies and key documentation
Updated and relevant training modules
To ensure ongoing compliance and engagement, we’ve updated our existing HE modules to align with E6 requirements. These modules have already been widely adopted by universities across the UK and now incorporate the latest guidance on harassment and misconduct.
Modules for staff:
- Active Bystander – empowering staff to intervene safely and effectively
- Disclosure by Students – training on how to appropriately respond to student disclosures
- Sexual Harassment in HE – addressing sexual misconduct in higher education settings
- Harassment and Bullying – understanding and preventing workplace harassment
- Dignity and Respect at Work – promoting a culture of respect in academic environments
Modules for students
- Student Bystander – a bystander intervention course funded by OfS for HE institutions
- Consent on Campus – developed with Rape Crisis to educate students on consent
- Student Induction – introducing new students to campus policies and expectations
Modules for both staff and students
- Freedom of Speech – addressing the importance of free expression within a respectful and inclusive framework
Better eLearning from Ciphr
As universities prepare for OfS condition E6 compliance, effective training and awareness will be key to fostering a safe and supportive campus culture. Our tailored solutions give HE providers the tools they need to educate staff and students, ensure compliance and make a lasting impact in preventing harassment and misconduct.
“We know that a one-size-fits-all response won’t fit all institutional contexts,” says Allcock. “So we’ve created some flexible eLearning options and would welcome the opportunity to discuss a solution that will work for your university.”
With the right eLearning approach, institutions won’t just be meeting regulatory obligations – they’ll be creating environments where students and staff feel truly safe, valued and empowered.
Want to learn more? Check out all of our eLearning courses, or discover how we can help your university comply with E6 and enhance student safety.