Uni's work to tackle gender violence recognised

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)'s work to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) has been recognised with an award.

EmilyTest, a Scottish charity, created a gender violence charter in a bid to improve and save lives after student Emily Drouet, 18, was subjected to a campaign of abuse by another undergraduate in 2016.

ARU, which has campuses in Cambridge, Peterborough, Chelmsford and Writtle, was presented with a certificate acknowledging it met the conditions of the charter.

Fiona Drouet MBE, founder and chief executive of the EmilyTest charity, said: "The calibre of expertise within ARU is exceptionally strong, and this achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of those involved."

Universities and colleges in Scotland had already received the award, including the University of Aberdeen, where Emily attended.

She took her own life in 2016 after being subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

ARU said the charter was piloted in England last year "to ensure alignment with the English higher education system".

Prof Roderick Watkins, vice chancellor of ARU, said: "For many years, academics at ARU have undertaken outstanding research around gender-based violence, both online and in person, and many of our students have also provided remarkable leadership in tackling this issue.

"We have made a firm commitment to preventing gender-based violence by combining practical support with proactive awareness raising within our communities, so that every student and member of staff knows how to recognise the signs and where to turn for help."

The charter set out standards for preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence, as well as supporting those affected.

It also asks institutions to assess whether their policies and procedures would have met the "Emily test" - whether they could have saved her life.

The university said it provided "confidential counselling, mental health advice and wellbeing support".

ARU was one of two universities in England to be awarded the charter, alongside the University of Warwick.

Drouet said the charity had seen "a clear and genuine commitment across the university ensuring that gender-based violence prevention, intervention and support are delivered to the highest standard possible".

"The charter is necessarily rigorous because achieving meaningful and sustainable change within large institutions is challenging and requires sustained commitment, reflection and action across many areas of the university," she said.

"It is not a tick-box exercise, but a framework designed to support meaningful cultural change and lasting improvements in practice."

The university said it worked alongside Sharon Livermore MBE, founder of Domestic Abuse Education, a company that educates organisations and institutions on GBV.

Livermore, from Cambridgeshire, said her work at the university included having a group of trained student domestic abuse ambassadors to raise awareness and guide students, alongside working with Essex Police at its Chelmsford campus.

"Whether it be a university or a business, you need to have policies and guidance in place because then people know they can come forward and what they'll be entitled to," she said.

"We need to give people opportunities to almost learn what domestic abuse is.

"There is the ability to recognise signs, we have the ability to respond in the right way if we're educated, and absolutely there is a referral pathway."

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