On Monday 23rd September, as part of the “Am I next?” Movement, SexOnCampus, FemSoc and Girl*Up protested against the University’s treatment of sexual abuse survivors. The protest was successful in ensuring a meeting the following week after several scheduled meetings with senior staff were postponed. As someone who attended the protest, the atmosphere was filled with frustration, heartache and anger. I am writing this article to increase the awareness of the cause and for readers to understand the lengths those involved in the organisation of such activism have endured for future generations.
The protest began at Bristo Square and later marched to Old College Quad. At both locations, members of the societies involved told their stories of sexual assault and how they were dealt with by the university. Each story was told by an individual who was struggling and wasn’t getting the help they deserved. Each individual was so brave and allowed themselves to be vulnerable for the cause. Each and everyone one of us did not want the future generations at the university to experience the same.
Speaking up about potentially triggering moments from your past in front of passers-by and complete strangers cannot be described as brave; that does not do the person justice, it is so much more than that. Pouring your heart out to protect future generations of students and demanding change is an extremely mentally challenging thing to do. It is complete selflessness. To watch individuals be so vulnerable and have passers-by walk past without batting an eye lid at the demonstration made my heart ache. To watch people walk past, acknowledge the demonstration, and shrug it off as another protest and continue with their day seemed dehumanising to the individuals sharing their traumatising story.
My message to those who have not experienced sexual assault, or who don’t even know anyone who has, is to listen to the stories and understand the depth of the situation. If you ever come across a peaceful protest, go and listen to the people and their message. You must understand the lengths to which survivors are going to ensure that there is change, and that this doesn’t happen again to future generations. This is an act of complete self-sacrifice for the wellbeing of others – it is greatly important to acknowledge and respect this by listening.
Image by Tilda Glynn