THE University of Sussex failed in its duty of care to a post-graduate student who was beaten black and blue by her lecturer boyfriend, an independent report has revealed.

The review by a leading academic reported the university failed to follow its own policies by taking too long before suspending Dr Lee Salter after he assaulted Allison Smith in September 2015.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus yesterday, Ms Smith said she was now “starting to heal” after her ordeal.

In her report, Durham University’s Professor Nicole Westmarland made 11 recommendations on how the university can improve its response in the future.

Vice chancellor Professor Adam Tickell, who commissioned the report on his first day in post, has apologised personally to Ms Smith and admitted the university’s response was “inadequate”.

The report said the university’s response was not an “isolated” case but followed a similar failure to keep another partner of an abusive university staff member informed about the action it was taking.

The report also revealed that staff and students had raised other incidents of abuse and harassment, while concerns were flagged up about a failure to warn female staff about the potential risks of a male contractor reported to police because of his conduct with a female student.

Professor Westmarland said the incident had damaged the reputation of the university and its standing with domestic violence charities.

The report highlights failings to follow its own policies and procedures, carrying out an inadequate risk assessment, over-relying on the advice of human resources and failing to communicate with Ms Smith in a professional manner.

Professor Tickell praised Ms Smith for being “incredibly courageous”.

He added: “We are not proud of this recent history at Sussex but, in going through this difficult period, I hope that other universities can learn from this case .

“In the short time I have been at Sussex, I have become aware of how upset many members of our community were to hear about this case.

“It is vitally important that we address the systemic gap in our institution’s practices and, alongside this, create a culture of transparency, respect and responsibility.”

I FINALLY FEEL I AM STARTING TO GET MY LIFE BACK

ALLISON Smith was an ambitious postgraduate student at the University of Sussex before she became the victim of a violent relationship.

The 24-year-old was studying in the media department at the university and using her spare time to write as a freelancer.

She entered into a relationship with media and communications lecturer Lee Salter.

Their relationship started after they first met at an induction day in 2014 at the university and things took an unexpected turn the following year when one day after going out for a meal together, Salter lashed out and physically attacked her.

Ms Smith said the assault, which took place on the night of September 24, 2015, involved Salter “punching and kicking” her as well as “stamping” on her once she was on the floor, culminating with him throwing a salt container at her face.

The attack left the victim unconscious and caused the university to launch a review into its employment practices after Salter was allowed to continue working while police investigated.

Speaking to The Argus yesterday, Ms Smith said: “I am really pleased with how the review has been dealt with by the university and I finally feel like I am starting to get my life back after such a long period of pressure when at points I almost lost hope that any changes would be made.”

During the period when Salter remained an employee after the attack, a spokesman for the university said: “In cases involving criminal charges, it is important such matters are dealt with by the police and the courts, which take precedence over employment procedures.”

The university said it “does not tolerate violence of any sort” and would be “reviewing all relevant university regulations and procedures”.

Salter was convicted of assault by beating and causing criminal damage to belongings at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on July 13, 2016, after he was charged on December 13, 2015.

Ms Smith added: “The university seems to have produced a more robust policy concerning student and teacher relationships now and although it was a strange case involving some equally strange details, I believe that the vice chancellor has taken the right steps with this review.

“I feel that it was a thorough report and the recommendations made within show that some real thought has been put into the review.

“I fully support the university in their efforts to make it a safer place for all.”

WALL OF SILENCE CAUSED STRESS FOR VICTIM

THE commissioning of an independent review into the University of Sussex’s handling of Dr Lee Salter’s case followed widespread criticism.

A letter to incoming vice chancellor Adam Tickell calling for the review was signed by more than 300 University of Sussex staff and students. The university’s HR department has been criticised for its handling of the case in failing to suspend Salter sooner than the 11 months it took.

The department did not consider Salter a risk to others and believed, because the incident happened outside work, he could not be dismissed or suspended for a long period of time.

In her report, Durham University’s Professor Nicole Westmarland said media attention seemed to have been a factor in his eventual suspension in August. She said the university’s policies allowed suspension much earlier in the process and staff felt “embarrassed” about the university’s failure to do so.

A risk assessment carried out by staff lacking the necessary skills, was deemed inadequate as it was based only on Salter’s input.

The university allowed one-to-one student contact with Salter to continue, which led students to “feel vulnerable” and question the university’s care.

Professor Westmarland said a “wall of silence” towards Ms Smith caused “additional and unnecessary stress” and left her fearing her complaint was not being taken seriously or believed.

Nine months of silence following her written complaint led Ms Smith to turn to the press.

The university has been advised to update its disciplinary procedures, develop a clear policy on staff-student relationships and develop a “new, robust and transparent” risk assessment process.

Professor Tickell told The Argus he would not rule out a ban on student and academic relationships, which are currently not prohibited but must be declared, as the university develops a “clear policy” on staff-student relation.

He said such relationships were “complex” and often with very little age difference. A range of options would be considered.

Professor Tickell said the Salter incident was the most severe he had come across in his career but relationships between staff and students were probably much more common.

The university is also rolling out training for staff and has appointed two senior academic staff to lead a team dedicated to handling all complaints of violence, abuse or harassment.