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University of Manchester Opens Probe After Female Medical Students Report Harassment

The investigation could prompt disciplinary or criminal action that tests the school's systems for preventing and reporting sexual misconduct.

Overview

  • The university launched a formal investigation on Monday after an open letter from medical students detailed anonymous late‑night calls that allegedly included threats, gender‑based slurs and requests for sexual favours.
  • Reports differ on scale: Manchester Evening News cites 15 named complainants while ITV and The Sunday Guardian say testimony was compiled from more than 30 women and the open letter has over 1,000 signatories.
  • Professor Ashley Blom, the faculty dean, said the institution's immediate priority is supporting affected students and investigators will also carry out a wider review of cultural and systemic issues in the School of Medical Sciences.
  • The open‑letter author says a report has been made to Greater Manchester Police and the British Medical Association has urged the university to take institutional action to address a described culture of misogyny.
  • Next steps to watch are the university's investigative findings, any police decisions about criminal inquiries, and whether the school introduces concrete changes to reporting, discipline and student safety measures.