Content warning: mental health, sexual harassment and sexual assault. Societies and Liberation groups will not be affiliated until the leader of these groups attend a mandatory training session for consent, being a bystander and mental health.
Why you think it is important
We love societies here at SAUWS, and we’re sure you enjoy being a part of one, or there wouldn’t be any right now. Students often tell us that they’ve benefited from joining a society, as they've been able to make friends, and be part of a community, especially if students are away from friends and family. Society leaders are expected to be at every event held by the society, and subsequently would notice if a member hasn’t show up in a while, or has been acting differently in a way in which suggests a deterioration in their mental health. With this training presidents of a society will have the knowledge to point a member of concern to the correct resources, supporting both their members, and the running of the group. Unfortunately, sexual harassment and assault are an often occuring incident, and especially prominent at university. To tackle this, and to further enhance the idea of a safe space, we think that society leaders should also be equipped with the knowledge to signpost victims to support.
Is there anything else you think we should know?
Reference: National Trauma Training Framework https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/psychology/multiprofessional-psychology/national-trauma-training-framework.aspx Reference: NUS I Heart Consent Workshop https://www.nusconnect.org.uk/resources/i-heart-consent-workshop-2018 Reference: Hidden Marks: A study of women students’ experiences of harassment,stalking, violence and sexual assault https://www.nus.org.uk/global/nus_hidden_marks_report_2nd_edition_web.pdf
Passed March 2019
I have read the guidance on what makes a good policy on the student council page
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