Sam informed the committee that a date has not yet been decided, as we are trying to avoid clashing with the Student Communities Zone culture week. Sam’s main questions to the committee were on how broad the content of the week should be and how it should be advertised to students.
The following ideas were suggested:
- Collaboration with Sexpression, a sub-group of MedSoc.
- STI testing on site, or self-testing kits to take away.
- Submit anonymous questions to a sexual health professional.
- Life drawing classes to promote body confidence – this would involve WSA.
- ‘Am I normal?’ photo wall.
- Using the over-arching theme of ‘good decisions’ and empowering students to make their own choices.
- Everything you weren’t taught about sex at school.
- Going out to clubs with an information stand and free items.
- Evening talks on issues relevant or interesting to students, such as sex work.
- Performances by Caravan Theatre.
Expect Respect project:
Sam explained to the committee that the Soton Speaks Up campaign on tackling sexual harassment is being developed into a long-term project which will be called Expect Respect. One of the objectives of the project will be to incorporate the phrase Expect Respect into other relevant Union marketing. George added that another core aim of the project is to ensure that all staff are trained to respond to a disclosure of harassment from a student. We also aim to closely involve sports teams in the project.
Louise recommended a video campaign on reporting incidents of harassment which has just been launched by Transport for London and suggested that SUSUtv could make its own version for our students. Louise also suggested that the project should include creating guidance for students who are worried about their friends.