OUR SPACE: Oxford Understanding Relationships, Sex, Power, Abuse, and Consent Experiences
Project outline
The Oxford Understanding Relationships, Sex, Power, Abuse, and Consent Experiences (OUR SPACE) project is focused on understanding and preventing gender-based violence and sexual violence in higher education. We use mixed-methods, feminist, and participatory approaches to inform the development of policy and practice in the higher education sector. Originally conceptualised as a prevalence study of sexual harassment and assault among students at the University of Oxford, the project has expanded. The team has conducted research on the prevalence and risk factors for sexual violence and institutional culture related to gender-based violence. Additionally, the project is conducting evaluations on the efficacy of prevention and response programming. Findings and learnings from the OUR SPACE project have been used to inform the Office for Student’s sector-wide prevalence survey on sexual violence and institutional policies at the University of Oxford.
Sexual Harassment and Violence Support ServiceÂ
Current Research Assistants: Alexa Davis, Sarah Aron
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- Steele, B., Martin, M., Sciarra, A., Melendez-Torres, G.J., Degli Esposti, M. and Humphreys, D.K. (2024) ‘The prevalence of sexual assault among higher education students: A systematic review with meta-analyses’, Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(3), pp. 1885–1898.
- Steele, B., Degli Esposti, M., Mandeville, P. and Humphreys, D.K. (2024) ‘Sexual violence among higher education students in the United Kingdom: Results from the Oxford Understanding Relationships, Sex, Power, Abuse and Consent Experiences study’, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 39(9–10), pp. 1926–1951.
- Steele, B., Martin, M., Yakubovich, A., Humphreys, D.K. and Nye, E. (2022) ‘Risk and protective factors for men’s sexual violence against women at higher education institutions: A systematic and meta-analytic review of the longitudinal evidence’, Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 23(3), pp. 716–732.
- Steele, B., Degli Esposti, M., Mandeville, P. et al. (2021) ‘Oxford Understanding Relationships, Sex, Power, Abuse and Consent Experiences (OUR SPACE) cross-sectional survey: A study protocol’, BMJ Open, 11, e051826.
OUR SPACE 2024: The original OUR SPACE prevalence survey was replicated in 2024, and a publication of findings is currently under review. Ethical approval from Social Sciences and Humanities CUREC2 R73805/RE004
OUR SPACE Qualitative Study: Interviews for a qualitative study on student life and culture regarding sexual violence at the University of Oxford were conducted in 2023. Our team is currently working on analysing the data and reporting the findings. Ethical approval from Social Sciences and Humanities IDREC R73805/RE002.
Rapid Review of Online Sexual Violence Prevention Programmes: The team is currently working on a rapid systematic review of the evidence on online sexual violence prevention programmes designed for higher education. A full protocol of this project can be viewed on PROSPERO.
Evaluation of Oxford’s Healthy Relationships and Consent Training: An evaluation of the University of Oxford’s Healthy Relationships and Consent Training was conducted in 2025. Data is currently being analysed and reported findings will be used to determine efficacy of the programme and to support the University’s adherence to Office for Students’ E6 Condition. Ethical approval from Social Policy & Intervention (SPI) DREC 2181805.
- The Guardian - ‘‘It’s a power game’: students accused in university rape hearings call in lawyers’
- Wonkhe - ‘Surveying students on sexual violence requires institutional diplomacy as well as research sensitivity’
- Times Higher Education - ‘Half of Oxford students sexually harassed’
- The Cherwell - ‘Half of Oxford students report having experienced sexual harassment, survey finds’
For general questions, research opportunities or media requests, please contact: ourspace@spi.ox.ac.uk.
If you are a student at the University of Oxford seeking support, please contact the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service at: supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk
