Author: Student Communications

The Spiking Epidemic

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by BA(Hons) English Literature with Writing student.

I was eight when I first experienced a form of sexual assault.

Eight.

I was fourteen when I experienced my next form of assault. I was walking back home with a group of similarly aged friends when a man stopped us on the street in broad daylight and took out his penis in front of us.

Fourteen.

Since then I have experienced countless amounts of catcalls, gross comments and awkward touches. Most of them have been in broad daylight with groups of people around. None of them would say anything, even fewer would blink an eye.

Approximately one in five young women and girls will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, while one in twenty men will be abused once in their life. Yet our judicial system, one who claims to stand and support survivors of assault, is failing us. Only one in one hundred cases in 2021 were recorded by police, with most cases tucked away to be forgotten about (Rapecrisis.org).

This topic, one so taboo, is also a growing epidemic. British drinking and clubbing culture has led to an increase in spiking cases, so how can we stop this from escalating further?  

Some ways that you can prevent spiking in the case of you or your friends include:

  1. Always buy your own drink and watch it get poured
  2. Never leave your drink unattended or in the presence of strangers 
  3. Go to clubs with groups of friends or people that you trust
  4. Make sure to go to places in pairs, never leave to places alone or with people you don’t know
  5. Cover your drinks! 

Following these tips can help in preventing instances of spiking but, if you do believe you or a friend has been spiked, go to a trusted friend or family member that can take you to safety and call 999 to report it as soon as possible.

Rapecrisis.org also offer a support helpline, available Monday – Thursday: 13:00 – 17:00, 18:00 – 21:00 and Friday: 14:00 – 17:00. Call 0808 802 9999 or chat to them online.

Sources:

“Statistics about Sexual Violence and Abuse.” Rape Crisis England & Wales, rapecrisis.org.uk/get-informed/statistics-sexual-violence/.

I’m striving to be a better ally, and you can too!

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Rahul Aswani, Vice President Community and Welfare, The Students’ Union at UWE Bristol.

As your VP Community and Welfare, I think UWE Bristol is a very exciting place to be, with many experiences for you to enjoy and have. I am passionate that UWE Bristol is a community where we all feel welcome and safe.

From my personal experiences here at UWE Bristol, I am striving to be a better ally to ensure we stay safe together. I am looking at my own behaviour to make sure I am not making anyone feel uncomfortable.

I am a vocal advocate for anti-spiking campaigns and I support my friends to seek support if they have experienced any form of harassment.

In my role this year as your VP Community and Welfare, if there are spaces where you feel unsafe or want to see change, please do get in touch as I am here to represent you! As part of my manifesto, I am lobbying UWE for funding to provide first aid training to more students and bringing greater awareness to the emergency contact numbers at UWE Bristol.

Get in touch by email – VPcommwelfare@uwe.ac.uk

Uncapped resits: the back-up plan you can’t rely on

Author Student Communications | Posted on

You may be aware UWE has an ‘uncapped resits’ policy – amazing, right? This means if you are unwell, injured, or something absolutely unavoidable comes up on the day of your assessment and you are unable to complete it, all is not lost – you may have another opportunity.

This is one of many ways UWE supports you in thriving academically while navigating the unexpected.

You must keep in mind, however, that ‘another opportunity’ is not guaranteed, and does not mean the same opportunity. You can find UWE’s full academic regulations online, but in short, resitting an assessment means:

  • You will need to repeat the assessment at a later date – when the knowledge is no longer fresh in your head, and your friends may have all finished and are enjoying their break
  • If you end up resitting more than one assessment around the same time, your workload will stack up and may be more demanding than it was before
  • Even if you don’t submit work at the first assessment – your non-submission still counts as an attempt
  • If you don’t pass your resit, you may not progress to the next year
  • If you are in your final year, you may not graduate on time as planned
  • If this means extending your studies, you will need to pay for another year of tuition and other associated costs
  • If you are an international student, this may have serious implications on your visa or sponsorship
  • If there are any updates to the content of the module, you would need to study any new material independently

It’s reassuring to know the possibility of resitting is there if you genuinely need it, but consider it your academic safety net – not a way to procrastinate. ‘Buying time’ will only cost you more later.

If you are in need of support, academic or otherwise, there is a range of different options available to you. Contact your Student Experience Coach, a Student Support Adviser, speak to your Academic Personal Tutor or explore our wider Wellbeing Support options.