What is gender based violence?

Gender based violence is an issue in society: that includes our universities and colleges. Research suggests that as many as one in four female students experience unwanted sexual behaviour during their studies.

Gender based violence describes a spectrum of behaviour that starts with objectification and unwanted comments and includes; intimidation, harassment, online abuse, physical and emotional abuse, stalking, sexual assault and can sometimes tragically, lead to murder.

The term also includes commercial sexual exploitation and so-called ‘honour based’ violence including; female genital mutilation, forced marriages and ‘honour’ crimes.

Scotland uses the term gender based violence because women and girls are much more likely to experience it and men most likely to perpetrate it as a result of continued inequality in our society. However importantly, the term recognises that men and the LGBT+ community can be victims too.

What is Edinburgh Napier doing to prevent gender based violence?

Edinburgh Napier is working together with Universities Scotland to prevent gender based violence. It wants to encourage staff and students to make disclosures and ensure they receive the support they want.

How is it doing this?

Every member of staff at Edinburgh Napier has been issued with a gender based violence leaflet that includes a six step guide to help your conversation if you do receive a disclosure. 

Also included in the leaflet is a card that can be torn out, folded over and kept at the back of a staff card lanyard. This resource holds key information that an individual can keep at their fingertips at all times.

Training in gender based violence is already under way with the University’s Team Napier Office Holders, with training for all students and staff to be provided later in the year.
 
A dedicated email address – reportandsupport@napier.ac.uk – has also been established. This can be used by both staff and students to report incidents and concerns, or seek advice and support.