Both the Union and UCL want you to be safe on campus. Unfortunately, there may be times when you or someone you know is feeling intimidated or harassed. In this article, we want to raise awareness of a subject that isn’t talked about enough: sexual violence.
Sexual violence is under-reported globally, in the UK and within university campuses, with 85% of sexual assault survivors not reporting to the police and 25% not reporting to anyone. We don’t want this to be the case. If you are going through, or have gone through sexual assault, tell someone. UCL’s Report + Support service is there for students and staff to record any negative experiences they may have had or are having.
It’s important to know and respect the safety of others, so if you’re a little unsure on what consent means or how you can prevent sexual violence, here’s a run-down.
What is consent?
Consent is agreeing by choice, and having the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Consent is affirmative and enthusiastic. It’s not the absence of ‘no’ or interpreting silence as agreement. This means that:
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There is no pressure, coercion, or threats (implicit or explicit) to obtain consent.
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The person consenting is not asleep, unconscious, or affected by drugs and alcohol to the point that it impairs their ability to freely consent
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Consent can be withdrawn at any time, even during a sexual encounter. You can always change your mind, and that is completely ok.
Let’s use the analogy of making tea. You wouldn’t make tea for someone who is asleep or unconscious because unconscious people don’t want tea. In such a case, you should put your tea down and make sure they’re ok. Even if someone has changed their mind about having tea after the kettle has boiled, that’s ok, you can’t force them to drink their tea.
The bottom line is: sex without consent is sexual violence.
It might seem awkward to ask someone if they feel comfortable, but you should always be on the same page when it comes to something so personal – so always ask!
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Prevent Sexual Violence - Be an Active Bystander
While most sexual misconduct will not occur in front of others, as an Active Bystander, you can still support those who may be affected by challenging behaviour that contributes to such violence.
If you see a situation that doesn’t feel right, such as inappropriate comments made by a friend or seeing someone being harassed, you can challenge that behaviour in a way that is safe and appropriate. It can be hard for a person experiencing sexual harassment to take action, so bystander intervention reassures them that they’re supported and that what they have experienced is unacceptable.
As an Active Bystander you can:
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Provide support to those affected, recognising that the only person responsible for harassment or violence is the person who commits it.
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Speak up and report unacceptable behaviour when you become aware of it through Report + Support (report-support.ucl.ac.uk). UCL students and staff can anonymously report, or contact an advisor for support.
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Help a friend who is intoxicated or incapacitated get to a place that is safe. Alcohol is a risk factor in experiencing violence, so this is a key action.
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Shut down jokes or comments that are offensive or make people feel vulnerable and isolated. For example: “I don’t feel comfortable/don’t appreciate that joke/comment; can we discuss something more positive?”.
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Challenge victim-blaming and harmful stereotypes that may underpin harassment or violent behaviour. If you hear someone justifying or excusing violent behaviour – “He has such a bright career ahead” or “What did they expect?”– remind them that there is no excuse for such behaviour.
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Role-model positive behaviour. This includes taking responsibility for your actions, including the language you use, laugh at or tolerate.
Find Support
If you have experienced any sexual misconduct or think that you may be at risk of experiencing violence, please visit the Report + Support website for information about internal and external support: report-support.ucl.ac.uk