RCVS responds to OfS report on student harassment and assault

The OfS report, published on Friday, 8 May 2026, provides a more detailed analysis of figures it first published in September 2025.

RCVS Chief Executive Lizzie Lockett, said: “We are greatly concerned to learn that so many veterinary sciences students have reported experiencing sexual assault and harassment during their studies, and our first thoughts are with them.

“We take extremely seriously the safety and wellbeing of students on the veterinary courses we accredit and require all learning environments, including extra-mural studies placements, to have a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination and inappropriate behaviour.

“We also require that effective reporting mechanisms are in place for students to report incidents, whichever learning environment they are experienced in, and that such reports are acted upon.

"We will be contacting the OfS to learn more about this latest analysis and to discuss with them and other healthcare regulators ways in which we can collaborate on these issues to help improve student experiences.

“We also await the imminent publication of a year-long research project into student experiences, undertaken by Veterinary Schools Council, and will continue to work with them and all stakeholders to explore the problems highlighted by the OfS, to understand any barriers students might face in terms of reporting and addressing the issues, and to improve student confidence in the reporting process.”