University of Glasgow launches campaign against gender-based violence

The University of Glasgow has launched its Together Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, one which promotes the institution’s ongoing commitment to improving how it approaches gender-based violence.

It signifies a collaborative partnership with its Students’ Representative Council (SRC) as well as other student bodies and colleagues within the university. 

Seeking to clarify the university’s policies on the matter, which also coincides with the UN’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (GBV), the campaign also aims to increase the accessibility of resources, as well as having a more straightforward reporting procedure.

The campaign was recommended Morag Ross KC after the university asked her to carry out an independent investigation and review of its approaches to gender-based violence back in 2022. The publishing of the Ross Report has led to the commencement of this campaign.

A key aspect of the campaign is a profound art installation by London-born and Glasgow-based visual artist, Molly Hankinson. 

Hankinson’s exhibition demonstrates integral elements to tackling the issue of gender-based violence: Consent, allyship and education. Glasgow University students and the general public can find this exhibition on the ground floor of the James McCune Smith Learning Hub (JMS). It will be on display until January 2024.

On the value of her impactful exhibition, Hankinson spoke of taking accountability for the past and said: ”I want to spark questions around the themes in the campaign, hopefully in a way that’s strong and assertive. It’s about taking accountability for the past – but also drawing a line and looking forward to the future.”

SRC President, Hailie Pentleton-Owens, also spoke about their perspective on this new campaign: ‘‘The university still has a lot of work to do to rebuild trust in its approach to Gender-Based Violence. The SRC will continue to hold the university accountable, ensuring the student voice is heard and support is further improved.”

As part of the 16 Days of Activism, the SRC has set up numerous events for students to feel safer on campus. The university itself has promised to better handle gender-based violence going forward, committing to “more campaign materials in the new year, reviews of the online reporting tool and colleague care and support.”

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