CW: This article discusses sexual violence
For Valentine’s day 2024, Edinburgh University Student’s Association (EUSA) appeared to promote free condoms alongside cocktails.
The promotional image featured glasses containing liquid, ice cubes and a closed condom packet.
Advertising contraception alongside alcohol has raised some challenging questions.
One student told The Student:
“Retracting [consent] is hard anyway, let alone if you have practically purchased a condom after drinking alcohol… with a sexual partner”.
On its website, the charity Alcohol Change says: “When someone is so drunk they are incapacitated, they cannot legally consent to any sexual activity.”
This promotion comes after serval student societies recently published an open letter that criticised the University of Edinburgh’s “mishandling” of sexual violence.
Full-time students are more likely than any other occupational group to experience sexual assault, and 15 to 24 year olds have the highest sexually transmitted infection diagnosis rate.
Read More: Less than half of sexual misconduct cases upheld by university, FOI reveals
Alcohol is a risk factor linked with increased sexual assault cases.
According to Drinkaware, nearly four in ten rape or attempted rape victims believe that the perpetrator had been consuming alcohol.
A spokesperson for EUSA responded to this to The Student:
“This product image was part of last week’s limited Valentine’s Day promotion. Our bar staff undergo specific training in supporting students to stay safe.
“The Students’ Association does not condone anyone engaging in sexual activity when either party is unable to consent.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and abuse, as outlined in the Safe Space policy.
“We do supply free condoms in our venues, year-round: students can pick up free contraception in Potterrow reception.”
Read More: “Lap dogs to the bosses”: students opinions of EUSA in the run-up to elections
Support and advice for those who have suffered sexual violence can be found on EUSA’s website.
Anyone affected by the topics raised in this article can seek help from the following resources:
EUSA Advice Place – Confidential support for students who have experienced sexual violence. More information can be found here.
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre – Free and confidential support for women, all members of the trans community, non-binary and young people in Edinburgh
Survivors UK – Support for male survivors of sexual violence
Victim Support Scotland – Free advice and support on the Criminal Justice System
Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) – Medical assistance and evidence collection through the NHS.
Illustration by by Jessica Bolevin