Know Your Rights: Prevent in Universities
Overview
Prevent Watch, Liberty and Amnesty International UK have put together this Know Your Rights resource for staff and students on Prevent in Universities, and where you can get further support or report any Prevent interaction or referral.
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This resource provides a clear introduction to the UK’s Prevent Duty as it operates in universities, explaining what the policy is, how it is applied on campus, and how individuals may encounter it in practice.
It highlights key issues such as referrals, restrictions on events, and the potential impact on academic life, while also outlining how to recognise possible Prevent-related interactions.
Crucially, it informs students and staff of their rights, emphasising that participation is voluntary and offering practical steps to take if approached, alongside signposting to advice and support services.
By combining accessible information with a human rights perspective, the guide helps university communities better understand, question and navigate Prevent in an informed and empowered way.
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Educator’s Resource on Prevent: Safeguarding not SecuritisationA 28-page guide for educators on Prevent, offering rights-based guidance to avoid harm and support safeguarding that prioritises students’ wellbeing.
Teaching resource, Information guide 17 Jun 2026 -
Messaging Guide: How to talk about the Prevent DutyAmnesty International UK and New Economy Organisers Network (NEON)'s messaging guide on how to talk about the Prevent Duty.
Campaign resource, Information guide 29 Jan 2025 -
United Kingdom: Prevent - This Is The Thought Police (2023)This report examines Prevent referrals and interventions at public events, drawing on interviews, training observation, document analysis and nearly 4,700 survey responses.
Reports and publications 31 Oct 2023
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