As podcast officer of Girl*Up I worked alongside others in committee, and also with other student led societies such as Sex?OnCampus and FemSoc in preparing for the “AmINext?” protest at the start of February. This is the third year of protesting for better treatment of sexual abuse survivors of both young men and women. This preparation reminded me of the importance of community involvement in activism, as many students would not have been able to get through the emotional build up alone. People often forget the emotional toll faced by sexual abuse survivors, or those knowing survivors, and how a community has the power to support or shame those affected.
As a student attending university to better my future, I didn’t realise that this would come at such a cost. I do not feel safe on campus, in my lecture halls or in student accommodations after learning that the university turns a blind eye to students reaching out for help. The University of Edinburgh is a prestigious institution, and I find it shocking that its education and values fail to stretch outside of the classroom. The university has shown itself to favour turning “resident rapists into future politicians, lawmakers, scientists and CEOs”, whilst turning its back on victims and survivors.
How is this an improvement from last year, when university staff discouraged students from going to the police to report sexual assault? How can the university create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and safe for its pupils when they are discouraged from seeking their rights? How can students feel heard when the university protects its reputation over upholding justice?
Whilst living in an environment that is structured to shame and single out the victim, community is more important than ever before. If the university cannot support survivors, then it is our responsibility to campaign for better and support them in any ways we can. Talk to your friends and don’t go through this alone. Attend workshops made available to you. In the build up to the protest a consent, poetry and banner creating workshop were held by the societies involved. In hindsight, these workshops were the backbone of preparing everyone for the protest.
Although the week of scheduled activism has ended, we at Girl*Up will keep campaigning for better in our weekly meetings and in discussions around campus. With a response letter sent by the university, regarding a meeting for future plans to improve the present situation, it leaves one with an optimistic feeling. However, this is Girl*Up’s final word on the matter: “We don’t want to leave here today and wonder “Am I next?”. We want to leave knowing that no one is next, and that the injustice ends now.” This perfectly concludes the week of campaigning- that such an excellent university should extend their excellency to the well being of all their students.
An earlier edition of this article can be found in 28 February edition, which, due to timings, was printed without the university’s response letter.
Image via Maryse Botts
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“Am I Next” protest: the power of community
As podcast officer of Girl*Up I worked alongside others in committee, and also with other student led societies such as Sex?OnCampus and FemSoc in preparing for the “AmINext?” protest at the start of February. This is the third year of protesting for better treatment of sexual abuse survivors of both young men and women. This preparation reminded me of the importance of community involvement in activism, as many students would not have been able to get through the emotional build up alone. People often forget the emotional toll faced by sexual abuse survivors, or those knowing survivors, and how a community has the power to support or shame those affected.
As a student attending university to better my future, I didn’t realise that this would come at such a cost. I do not feel safe on campus, in my lecture halls or in student accommodations after learning that the university turns a blind eye to students reaching out for help. The University of Edinburgh is a prestigious institution, and I find it shocking that its education and values fail to stretch outside of the classroom. The university has shown itself to favour turning “resident rapists into future politicians, lawmakers, scientists and CEOs”, whilst turning its back on victims and survivors.
How is this an improvement from last year, when university staff discouraged students from going to the police to report sexual assault? How can the university create an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and safe for its pupils when they are discouraged from seeking their rights? How can students feel heard when the university protects its reputation over upholding justice?
Whilst living in an environment that is structured to shame and single out the victim, community is more important than ever before. If the university cannot support survivors, then it is our responsibility to campaign for better and support them in any ways we can. Talk to your friends and don’t go through this alone. Attend workshops made available to you. In the build up to the protest a consent, poetry and banner creating workshop were held by the societies involved. In hindsight, these workshops were the backbone of preparing everyone for the protest.
Although the week of scheduled activism has ended, we at Girl*Up will keep campaigning for better in our weekly meetings and in discussions around campus. With a response letter sent by the university, regarding a meeting for future plans to improve the present situation, it leaves one with an optimistic feeling. However, this is Girl*Up’s final word on the matter: “We don’t want to leave here today and wonder “Am I next?”. We want to leave knowing that no one is next, and that the injustice ends now.” This perfectly concludes the week of campaigning- that such an excellent university should extend their excellency to the well being of all their students.
An earlier edition of this article can be found in 28 February edition, which, due to timings, was printed without the university’s response letter.
Image via Maryse Botts
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