Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week 2026
Posted on Thursday 22 January 2026
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week is an annual UK national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence and to provide an opportunity for discussion around these issues. For us, it forms part of our commitment to Respect at York, which you can read more about at the end of this page.
This year, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week takes place from Monday 2 February to Sunday 8 February.
Light Up the Night walk
Monday 2 February, 5pm to 7pm
Greg's Place
Light Up the Night is a free event for everyone wishing to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. Join us for a (battery-powered) candlelit walk around campus.
We’ll walk a gentle, accessible route ending in Biology Atrium foyer by 6pm, where hot drinks will be served. There will be opportunities to leave a message of support for a survivor at our Affirmation Station, meet our Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) and learn more about the support provided by the University and local services. This space will be open until 7pm.
Everyone is welcome and the event is free to attend: please let us know if you're coming, so that we can plan for the right number of people.
Let us know you’re coming to Light Up the Night
Support
Our SVLOs provide specialist support to students who have been impacted in any way by sexual violence. This can involve a one-off information session or ongoing support around the impact of their experience.
Support for anyone who has experienced sexual violence
Learning
All students should complete the University’s mandatory learning Respect at York: Understanding Consent and Respect at York: Being an Active Bystander. Make sure you’ve completed this learning if you haven’t already done so, or use this week as an opportunity to refresh yourself.
Staff should have completed the online learning We All Play a Part: Preventing Sexual Harassment and Misconduct at York, and we encourage you to complete this if you haven’t already done so.
Reporting
If you would like to speak to a trained member of staff about having experiences sexual violence or sexual misconduct, you can report it through Report+Support, which allows a relevant member of staff to contact you to speak to you about your options, or for you to submit information anonymously.
Respect at York
Respect at York is our commitment to ensuring all members of our community feel respected and supported. It’s about understanding how our language and behaviour affects others, and showing care and respect for each other.