In 2020, a high-profile UK university was shaken by claims of sexism and rape culture as messages from a student group chat were published on social media exposing a plan for ‘posh lads’ to compete in sleeping with the poorest girl at the University.

Just months after this incident, in March 2021, came the devastating rape and murder of Sarah Everard, whose death sparked outrage over the rates of violence against women. In the same time period, the online platform Everyone’s Invited was gaining substantial media coverage for the extent of unwanted sexual behaviours across UK education settings that it exposed.

The strong impression this created, that harmful sexual attitudes and behaviours amongst young people were widespread, led Ofsted to commission a rapid review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges. In speaking to over 900 young people in 32 education settings, they found that 90% of girls had experienced sexist name-calling or been sent unwanted explicit pictures or videos.

At the same time, a UN Women UK report found that 86% of 18-24 year olds had experienced sexual harassment in a public place with 98% not reporting, believing it wouldn’t change anything. It was clear that we needed to do something to challenge the prevailing sexual attitudes and behaviours and so we set out to talk about sex!

• 3/4 of our Student Social Action Group reported or supported someone to report inappropriate behaviour as a victim of inappropriate behaviour as a result of participating in our project.

• 100% reported feeling better able to recognise unhealthy sexual behaviours, including those they would have previously overlooked

• A majority of exhibition audience members reported that the artwork was effective for getting messages around harmful sexual behaviours across and would help change attitudes.

• Educators attending our workshop felt the content was highly relevant and could envisage using it to support the curriculum they were delivering.