A student at a prestigious college made an allegation of serious sexual assault against another student. The police were called and the alleged perpetrator was immediately arrested; this was witnessed by many other students, leading to speculation and concern across the college community.

There was an urgent need to provide reassurance regarding the police presence and to minimise the risk of inaccurate narratives emerging while ensuring that the identities and wellbeing of both students were protected. Close collaboration with college leadership enabled clear, sensitive communication with students and staff, taking a range of contextual considerations into account.

The timing, content and tone of the communications were appreciated by the college community and limited the potential for the incident to escalate into a crisis.