Monday 11-12-2023 - 12:00

With the “16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence” campaign coming to a close on December 10th, it’s a good time to reflect. We want to thank everyone who participated in activities or decided to learn a little more about this topic. We attended workshops, trainings, and marches. We wore orange and donned white ribbons. We identified support networks and talked to friends and family. But the work doesn’t stop now!

We encourage you to keep the conversation going and think about how you can help tackle gender inequality and prevent violence. We also encourage you to continue to sign up for the White Ribbon Pledge. White Ribbon Scotland - Men tackling violence against women

Don’t forget to stop by your local Student’s Association office to pick up a white ribbon and show your support.

Ending GBV is EVERYONE’s responsibility. While most GBV is perpetrated by men against women and girls, it can also target men and gender-nonconforming individuals. With 1 in 4 women experiencing unwanted sexual contact or harassment during their studies, every one of us knows multiple students who have directly experienced GBV—whether or not they disclose it. And the knock-on effects of a GBV incident have even wider reaching consequences. Did you know that GBV costs Scotland £4 billion pounds a year and over? In England and Wales, the cost of domestic abuse is around £66 billion a year!

So, what can we do?

We can make sure to never permit or condone the type of behaviour that leads to GBV. This means not engaging in “locker room talk” that dehumanizes another person by focusing on their body parts or their sexual activity. Its means shutting down any talk about coercing or tricking someone into acting against their wishes. It means holding each other to the basic standard of treating all with respect and dignity regardless of gender.

We can also work together to provide support and safety. That means watching out for each other on nights out when abusers might take advantage of lowered inhibitions and increased expectations. It means supporting friends in moving away from controlling or manipulative relationships. Its means checking in if a peer stops attending courses or suddenly changes behaviour.

And most importantly, we can make sure that no one experiencing gender-based violence feels alone. We can listen, we can share our experiences, we can give support and kindness to each other, and we can raise our voices to loudly declare that we won’t tolerate this epidemic of gender-based violence anymore.

Add your voice to the mix. See what’s possible when students demand a better world.

 

If you or your loved ones have been affected by gender-based violence and would like support, please call the Rape Crisis Scotland helpline at 08088 01 03 02. Or you can find a local centre by visiting Rape Crisis Scotland | Working to end sexual violence.