Edinburgh Napier University

The launch of a project to support all college and university staff handle disclosures of gender based violence has taken place at Edinburgh Napier University today (27 September) with support from the Deputy First Minister of Scotland.

Over 100,000 cards have been printed and distributed to every college and university across Scotland so that staff can have details of the national, specialist support services at their fingertips. The cards fit into wallets, purses and staff ID badges. It’s hoped that awareness of the cards in college and university will encourage victims of gender based violence to disclose their experience to someone they feel comfortable speaking to, knowing that they will be believed and receive the right support.

The idea for the cards came from Ms Fiona Drouet, mother of Emily Drouet, who tragically took her own life having experienced a campaign of gender based violence whilst a student at university. Ms Drouet founded the #EmilyTest campaign. The cards recognise that any one of the 75,000 staff working in universities and colleges may receive a disclosure of gender based violence or witness something, but not everyone will know what to do. The cards offer the basic information needed to quickly refer someone experiencing any form of gender based violence to specialist services. Many colleges and universities took the option to customise their cards to include details of the support services available on campus.

Given to colleges and universities from early September, the cards have a very practical purpose but they also pay tribute, in a very small way, to Emily Drouet. The cards are printed in Emily’s favourite colour. 

Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP said: “Tackling violence against women and girls and the attitudes that help perpetuate it are key priorities for the Scottish Government. It’s vital that we work with universities and colleges to ensure they are places where students are safe to live, study and research. The support cards launched today will empower university staff to support students and provide advice on where they can access help. This an important step towards fostering a culture that is clear in its condemnation of gender based violence and gives staff and students the confidence to report unacceptable behaviour.”

Commenting at the launch of the cards, Fiona Drouet, founder of the #EmilyTest Campaign said: “I hope the support cards will help to bridge gaps and, if used effectively, have the potential to save lives. This is a positive step towards safeguarding students and staff alike. While many students will hopefully benefit from the increased awareness this new tool provides, staff are currently vulnerable to receiving disclosures with the absence of appropriate training.

“These cards have come too late for Emily, but we hope staff will embrace this resource by keeping it on their person at all times and never underestimating the difference it could make to someone's life. We hope they will offer a much needed lifeline to victims/survivors.”

The cards were developed over the spring and summer with input from Fiona Drouet, NUS Scotland, staff and students at universities and colleges across Scotland, the representative bodies of colleges and universities and with guidance from women’s organisations and the Equally Safe Team at the University of Strathclyde. The card design and copy was tested with focus groups of students, staff and the project sought the views of survivors of gender based violence. The project has the support of the Scottish Government.

Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of Edinburgh Napier University said: “The cards are a practical step in supporting staff with this responsibility, recognising that anyone could receive a disclosure but not everyone will have received specialist training. The cards complement the training and other activities that universities have in place to tackle gender based violence. We are pleased we could help to realise this goal of the #EmilyTest Campaign and glad that this resource is available in every university and college across the country.

“Every student and member of staff at university has a right to feel safe and respected and everyone has a responsibility to support that environment. We want everyone to know that they can seek help from any member of staff, if they are experiencing something that doesn’t feel right to them; they will be believed and will quickly receive the right support.”

The cards complement work to tackle gender based violence led by colleges and universities across Scotland and the support provided by the Equally Safe Toolkit for higher education, launched in March this year. The support cards and digital assets circulated across Scotland also provide a six step guide for staff on how to handle a disclosure of gender based violence; the disclosure guidance is taken from the Equally Safe Toolkit.

Gender based violence is an issue in our society. The #MeToo movement has raised global awareness of this issue and it is one that colleges and universities are determined to tackle in their staff and student communities. Sadly, a survey by the National Union of Students suggests that as many as one in four female students experience unwanted sexual behaviour during their studies.