Student Safety: A Top Priority for Glasgow's Student Organisations
Published: 19 October 2023
Find out which student safety services and initiatives are available to you from the four student bodies Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA), Glasgow University Union (GUU) and Queen Margaret Union (QMU).
Content Advisory: The contents of this email refers to gender-based violence. If you would like to access support without reading further, please follow this link, this includes resources on sexual harassment, assault and violence.
The four student organisations at the University of Glasgow (SRC, GUSA, GUU, QMU) all want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience whilst engaging with their services or visiting their buildings.
Student safety is an issue they all take very seriously so in this article they will each outline some of the services and initiatives they have in place to protect you and to tackle Gender-based Violence (GBV) on campus.
Remember that if you ever feel unsafe or have concerns about GBV, there is support available for you. Visit our sexual violence and harassment support page for students.
Students’ Representative Council (SRC)
Hailie Pentleton-Owens, SRC President:
“Ensuring that the University of Glasgow prioritises student safety and wellbeing is our utmost priority. Over the last decade, we have been at the forefront of gender-based violence activism on campus, campaigning for safety, transparency, and education around sexual harassment, violence, and abuse. In recent years, we have focused our energies on facilitating conversations around GBV, through our Moodle module, workshops, and drop-in counselling service.
Our Module
Designed in partnership with Rape Crisis Scotland, the SRC developed an online Moodle module to ensure that all students have access to a comprehensive education around healthy relationship dynamics, and understanding of GBV and the various forms it can take, and an awareness of the support available to anyone who might require it. We are working with the University to ensure that this training is a requirement of all students (excluding those who do not feel comfortable participating for whom there is opt out function).
Our Workshops
The module exists as a continuation of our workshops, which we have now run for over 8 years. Our Let’s Talk Workshop is a two-hour, peer led programme developed initially in conjunction with Rape Crisis Scotland. These collaborative and interactive workshops cover a variety of topics, including sexual consent, clear communication around sex, and scenarios of potential violations of consent and how we might understand these experiences. They run throughout the academic year and are free for all students to attend.
Gender-Based Violence Counselling through the SRC
In 2021 we secured funding that allows us to provide free gender-based violence counselling every Tuesday with a fully qualified GBV counsellor. We know that it can be challenging to talk about issues related to sexual violence and harassment, which is why we have ensured that these sessions are available as both in-person and online spaces.
Support available through the SRC Advice Centre
The SRC Advice Centre is an advice, information and representation service provided by the SRC for all Glasgow University students. Following the Ross Report, the University has allocated additional funding to the team, allowing the Advice Centre additional capacity for work related to gender-based violence. The Advice Centre can provide support to students looking to report instances of GBV to the University or the Police and representation for those who may be facing a student conduct case.”
Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA)
Mario Killman, GUSA President:
“In order to tackle misogyny and challenge inappropriate behaviours, GUSA have introduced the Beyond Equality workshops which aim to create a more inclusive and safe space within our sports clubs. The aim is to start difficult conversations about sexual relations, consent, mental wellbeing, and inclusivity.
We have provided these workshops to all our male and male identifying freshers' helpers that are part of various of clubs, as well as to members of 20 of our largest sports clubs. Our aim going forwards is to create an in-house workshop around this topic, using Beyond Equality as a guide, to role this workshop out to even more members and make GUSA as safe and inclusive as possible by eliminating GBV.
Other initiatives to combat gender-based violence include the “Ask Angela” campaign that UofG Sport introduced in the Stevenson Building to make the gym a safer and more inclusive space. Furthermore, we created a survey for women and girls in sport week to gather feedback on sexism in our facilities and clubs. Our aim is to continue gathering data on the topic in order to tackle the issue appropriately and adapt our code of conduct accordingly.”
Glasgow University Union (GUU)
Lina Leonhard, GUU President:
“At the GUU, the welfare of our students is our top priority. We want you to have a safe, fun night out and we have several initiatives in place to keep students safe and to help them if something does go wrong. We operate the "Ask for Angela" scheme in the whole building so if you ever feel uncomfortable just ask if Angela is working and our staff and duty board will help get you home safe, no questions asked.
We have a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and have extensive CCTV across the entire building including the nightclubs. During club nights we also have a designated safe space which can be used by anyone needing some water or simply a quiet place to rest. We also have 4 dedicated members of the student board, called "duty board", who are on shift each club night to keep an eye out for students and help anyone who needs it.
We can help you find your friends, get home safe, or if there's been an incident you want to report. We always post on our Instagram and Facebook so you know who duty board is if you need them, and we'll also announce the location of the safe space on social media.”
Queen Margaret Union (QMU)
Iris Duane, QMU Vice President:
“The Queen Margaret Union operates under a zero-tolerance policy. Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will consequently lead to disciplinary action. The QMU staff also operate under the 'Ask for Angela' scheme; allowing for anyone who uses the union utilities to have a safe and effective manner in which they can communicate potential danger or discomfort within the union's walls.
The QMU's welfare committee has also collated a multitude of resources, related to mental health and student wellbeing; with a section dedicated to Gender-based violence as well. This website contains resources from both the University and external organisations.
All QMU board members are also required to undergo active bystander training in reference to gender-based violence to ensure that attendees to events feel safe and cared for. The QMU strives to empower a safe and inclusive environment for all students, every student has the right to feel safe in their student union.”
First published: 19 October 2023
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