Aberystwyth University marks White Ribbon Day #ChangeTheStory

Marking White Ribbon Day (left to right) are Professor Tim Woods, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Student Experience; Anna Simpkins, Academic Affairs Officer at Aberystwyth Students’ Union; Jessica Jackson, Anti-harassment and Violence Coordinator, Aberystwyth University Student Services; Elize Freeman, Dewis Choice, Centre For Age Gender and Social Justice; Trish McGrath, Chief Executive Aberystwyth Students Union and Dylan Jones, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth University will mark White Ribbon Day (Saturday 25 November) this year with the launch of a new poster to highlight the international campaign to bring an end to violence against women and girls.

Featuring images created by University students and staff that spell out the words “White Ribbon Day”, the poster has been created by the Dewis Choice project at the Centre For Age Gender and Social Justice which is based at the University’s Department of Law and Criminology.

With support from the National Lottery’s Community Fund, the poster has a QR code which links to advice and support for students who may have experienced abuse within a relationship, sexual violence or sexual harassment.

White Ribbon Day also marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which culminates on 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

As part of this campaign Dewis Choice will be showing two short films at Aberystwyth Students Union to raise awareness of domestic abuse and take a united stand against gender-based violence.

'Do You See Me? co-produced by Dewis Choice and LGBQT+ victim-survivors, and ‘Hidden Harms Animation’, created by Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board in partnership with Dewis Choice, will be shown on Tuesday 28 November.

Information about the screenings is available online and will include a contribution from the West Wales Domestic Abuse Service.

In November 2022 Aberystwyth University pledged its commitment to tackle violence against women and girls.

Building on this, the University’s Student Services has taken significant strides towards fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students.

During the 2022/23 academic year the University introduced a new Sexual Violence and Misconduct Service and the confidential online Report + Support service.

A dedicated Anti-harassment and Violence Coordinator was also appointed and a team of Sexual Violence Liaison Officers trained to serve as key points of contact for survivors seeking support.

Jessica Jackson took up the post of Anti-harassment and Violence Coordinator in the spring of this year.  She said: “The development of the sexual violence and misconduct service alongside the introduction of my appointment as anti-harassment and violence coordinator role marked significant new chapter for our University – not only for tackling gender-based violence but also in signalling our proactive stance in addressing harassment, bullying and violence in all forms."

The team’s work as already been recognised with two notable awards from leading providers of sexual violence support, Lime Culture, one of the UK’s leading sexual violence training and consultancy organisations, and sexual violence support provider New Pathways.

Jess added: “To receive recognition through awards is not only testament to the work we have been undertaking to support our students who have experienced sexual violence but also indicates the privilege we hold in making a meaningful impact to the safety and wellbeing of our campus community”.

Trish McGrath, Chief Executive of Aberystwyth Students Union has endorsed the approach adopted by the University: “As a Students’ Union we are proud to work with the University to work towards creating a world without violence, where all women live fear free and where we are all supported and encouraged to thrive and reach our full potential “

For staff, the University has been delivering active bystander and intervention training and its Employee Assistance Programme (Care First) offers counsellors and advisers who can listen, support, or signpost to assistance on domestic violence and abuse. 

Professor Tim Woods, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Student Experience said: “White Ribbon Day has established itself as an important date in our calendar, one which serves as a reminder of the importance of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive campus. It is hugely rewarding to see the work of colleagues recognised by leaders in this sector and provides a firm base on which to further develop our provision and set new standards in the realm of student services. I very much hope that this year’s campaign and the new Dewis Choice poster will cause everyone to reflect on the treatment of girls and women as well as highlighting the vital services available to survivors of sexual violence and abuse.”

Copies of the White Ribbon Day poster will be available from the Hugh Owen Library and Aberystwyth Students’ Union from Tuesday 28 November.

Further information about the University’s Sexual Violence, Harassment and Misconduct Support Service is available online here

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