LUU
During 5 – 9 December, we hosted a #MeTooChina exhibition in the foyer. The display included the history and context of the movement, real life testimonies, and some really powerful art installations.
We also had our ‘Tree of Reflection’ next to the Help desk which students contributed to throughout the week, by adding a leaf with their own experiences or pledges to support women’s safety.
Clubs & societies
Some of our brilliant clubs and societies got involved with their own activities.
The Right to Walk, whose focus as a society is on creating a safe and inclusive space for all, displayed their ‘being a womxn is…’ board in the foyer, sharing the experiences and perspectives of their members. The society also kindly provided their ‘nighttime safety cards’ which listed useful phone numbers for both emergency and emotional support for you to carry on a night out.
SASHA (Students Against Sexual Harassment & Assault) started to redo their chalking campaign across campus, bringing attention to the catcalls and phrases that women and girls are all too often subjected to while going about their day. Do keep an eye out for this when you’re out and about.
In the new year, the Activities team will be running ‘Switch onto Women’s Safety Training’ for a range of societies. We encourage all of our members to engage in conversations with their members about this topic, discuss ways of supporting each other and familiarise themselves with the services that we offer to be able to signpost members.
Reclaim the Night
On 1 December, this year’s Reclaim the Night march took place in the city centre led by local council leaders, including Councillor Al Garthwaite who took part in the first Reclaim the Night March in November 1977. It was a powerful event, bringing together people from across the city to walk the streets of the city they call home, but are all too often made to feel uncomfortable and unsafe in, in an act of reclamation and solidarity.
Women’s Lives Leeds
On the 2 December, Women’s Lives Leeds held their Speak Up event at Leeds Beckett University, showcasing an exhibition of activist art and inviting people to take part in a Q&A with the police to help facilitate dialogue and understand how we could be doing more as a city, as well as getting to understand where the real anxieties lie.
As of 25 November, the group have relaunched their Women’s Night Safe Space which will be available for all to access in Dortmund Square on Saturday nights. Whether you need somewhere to go when you’ve lost your friends, your phone is dead, you want to sober up a bit, or you just generally need someone to speak to, all are encouraged to make use of the space.
Women’s Lives Leeds also ran a stall in the LUU foyer to share more about what they do to make Leeds a women friendly city. They’re a brilliant organisation, so do check them out if you’re interested in learning more.
Going forward...
Our fight to end violence against women and girls doesn’t end within these 16 days. As long as our students continue to feel unsafe in Leeds, there is still work to be done. If you have any ideas or suggestions about how LUU can improve our approach to student safety, then, as always, please do reach out.
We understand that this is a distressing topic for a lot of students and you may be looking for support. We recommend the following resources and organisations, either as a source of information or as someone to speak to about any concerns you may have:
