Sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse are widespread across university societies as a whole in the UK, studies have found.
And women in Lincoln and all over the UK are speaking out about the issue.
The root of the problem is the societal attitudes towards women and the widespread issue of lad culture, according to Chris Bullett, former president of the University of Lincoln basketball society and current sociologist at the University of Manchester.
Chris says: “it stems from generational cultural themes of masculine dominance. Masculinity is challenged and threatened by the presence of intelligent and independent women.”
Women are continuing to feel unsafe during their time at university, and sometimes feel that universities aren’t doing enough to protect their students.
A recent university graduate and victim of local lad culture, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: “I feel universities sometimes concentrate more on the benefit of sports societies in particular rather than protecting their students. Some of us don’t want to come forward in fear they just won’t do anything.”
In a recent Instagram poll of over 300 mainly Lincoln-based women, 75% stated that they have personally suffered as a result of lad culture in societies.
A huge resurgence in the controversy surrounding lad culture in recent years has seen more and more women coming forward to tell their stories.
Chris Bullett added: “It’s often accentuated by the presence of drinking culture. There’s a need in young groups of men for a social hierarchy. Unfortunately women often suffer because of it.”
Learn more about university lad culture over at https://unihealth.uk.com/lad-culture/
