One year on: Examining the impact of UBLHC’S open letter at Bristol University

One year ago, Bristol University Ladies Hockey Club (UBLHC) published an open letter to the Student Union (SU), demanding a review of the code of conduct relating to its policy surrounding sexual assault.

This letter followed the general dismissal of serious allegations despite the harmful effect this had on female victims.

Later in the year, the men’s hockey club (UBMHC) was suspended pending an investigation into its “club culture.” The club has since been re-instated.

Although UBLHC spearheaded the complaints, sexual assault remains a widespread issue at the university. A 2021 survey conducted by the SU found that 29 per cent of student respondents had been victims of sexual assault whilst at university.

The UBLHC open letter was signed by 3,292 students and prompted the SU to revise the code of conduct. In August 2024, the SU published a new Code of Conduct framework in which they committed to several changes, including setting out the standards of behaviour expected from clubs and societies and the process that the SU would follow when groups fall short of these expectations.

But, one year on from the open letter, and half a year on from the revised code of conduct, has anything changed? Are women safer on campus, and is the SU doing enough to protect us?

The path to change: What the SU has done so far

In response to the open letter and the widespread concerns it raised, the SU took steps to implement the 42 recommendations of the Code of Conduct Review. UBLHC had only asked for revisions. According to a February 2025 update from the SU, significant progress has been made in areas such as safeguarding, staff training, and club culture.

Most Read

Influencer who refused to give crying child her plane seat reveals REAL reason she’s suing

Influencer who’s suing over a screaming toddler on her plane sparks debate about plane etiquette

Harry Potter actor resorts to starting unexpectedly niche OnlyFans account to ‘get out of debt’

Ex-UBLHC Welfare Secretary Esme told The Bristol Tab “The SU has gone above and beyond what we asked for”, adding that it has shifted towards a “victim-comes-first” approach. Under these changes, players under investigation are now banned from representing their club until the investigation is concluded, after which they may be reinstated. It also means that associate members, that is, non-student members such as coaches and graduates, are also liable to be reported, which wasn’t possible before as they were not affiliated with the university.

However, following a request under section one of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the SU provided university data on reported sexual misconduct cases, revealing that of cases relevant since the 2021/2022 academic year “no students have been permanently withdrawn from the university.”

It added: “Less than five cases resulted in students being excluded from the university for a fixed period of time.”

Although investigations are not handled by the SU, this data highlights the limited consequences that have followed reported incidents of sexual misconduct.

One victim reported that during an inquiry as part of the University’s Student Resolution Services (SRS), she was asked if she “regularly wore knickers to socials”, if she regularly consumed “so much” alcohol, or whether she had done anything that might have given her abuser the “wrong impression.”

Still, there exists a culture of victim-blaming which undermines the integrity of the process, discouraging victims from coming forward and perpetuating stereotypes that shift the responsibility away from the perpetrator.

The culture of toxic masculinity and power dynamics

While the SU has made great progress, the culture within many male sports clubs at the university continues to be a significant issue.

Esme reflects on the ongoing struggle to address power dynamics, gender inequality and toxic masculinity within these clubs, saying: “University sports should be a safe space where all athletes can enjoy their sport without fear of harassment.”

But sadly, from personal experience, we know that this is simply not the case. One recent example of this culture surfaced during a UBLHC 5’s match in Plymouth, where male spectators reportedly drank and shouted at female players from the sidelines. Despite the discomfort of the players, the umpires took no action, with one telling a player that such incidents “happen all the time”.

The same team reportedly had sex toys thrown onto the pitch at Coombe Dingle by opposition supporters during a BUCS match. The club sent an email of complaint to the relevant institution and received no response. The normalisation of such blatant disrespect and disregard for female sports not only undermines the safety of female athletes but also reflects the broader societal issues of gender inequality in sports culture.

The prevalence of “rape culture” within university sports remains a troubling reality. In the 23/24 season alone, 10 incidents of sexual misconduct from UBMHC members against female hockey players were reported to the UBLHC committee.

In 2024, the SU launched its first ever investigation into a club’s culture. The results of the investigation, which remain confidential between UBMHC and the SU, resulted in a full club suspension. That meant no matches, no training, and no socials. It has since been reinstated.

But these are issues that the SU wants to address, with the SU adding that it was keen to reflect on its own practices before putting pressure on other societies to change. Going forward, the SU is committed to improving the culture of sports clubs on the ground. It hopes to foster a positive culture within sports clubs, where male and female athletes can enjoy their sport in a safe and welcoming environment.

If you would like support or advice following sexual assault, visit: https://www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk or call the SARSAS helpline on 0808 801 0456.

UBLHC and friends are currently fundraising for Rape Crisis England & Wales, which can be found here.