Preventing gender-based violence

Taking action

We want all staff and students to flourish in a safe, supportive, inclusive learning environment. Our gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and support strategy, action plan and policy underpin this.

Our approach

We take a zero-tolerance approach to all instances of GBV. In keeping with Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls, we are committed to securing a future in which GBV no longer exists. We adopt the Scottish Government’s definition that GBV describes a range of gender based behaviour which includes: intimidation, harassment, online abuse, intimate image sharing, domestic abuse, physical and emotional abuse, stalking, sexual assault and murder. It also includes commercial sexual exploitation and so-called ‘honour based’ violence, including, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and ‘honour’ crimes. Although GBV affects more women and girls, it also affects men and those in the LGBT+ community.

Support for you

If you have experienced GBV we encourage you to report this to a member of staff who you are comfortable with. This may be through guidance tutors or directly with a member of the guidance and support staff in the student services department. We will give you immediate support and a referral to external specialised services may be made, if necessary and with your permission. We can also help you access in-house support such as the student counselling service.

If you prefer, you can email student.support@slc.ac.uk and a member of the student services team will contact you directly.

Our response

We will respond sympathetically, confidentially and effectively to anyone who discloses GBV. This may include:

agreeing periods of absence (authorised absences for students) for relevant appointments, including, for example, support agencies, solicitors, counselling, to arrange housing or childcare, and for court appointments
if possible, temporary changes to attendance, work arrangements and workload
approving requests for an advance of pay or bursary/discretionary support
arranging access to counselling support and other internal support services during college time
reviewing the security of information we hold, such as temporary or new addresses, bank or healthcare details
alerting reception and security staff if an alleged perpetrator is known to come to the college
implementing security arrangements as necessary to ensure your safety at college
recording any threatening or violent incidents by a perpetrator that takes place at the college

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other measures that we can tailor to you and your circumstances.

EmilyTest GBV Charter

As part of our commitment to tackling GBV, we are undertaking the EmilyTest GBV Charter. EmilyTest is a Scottish Government-funded charity working to improve GBV prevention, intervention and support in further and higher education. The charity was established after the death of undergraduate student, Emily Drouet, after she was subjected to a campaign of GBV from a fellow student. The EmilyTest GBV Charter is the first of its kind in the world and was launched in December 2021. At the heart of the GBV Charter is Emily’s story. The question posed to all institutions who undertake it is, ‘Would your institution have saved Emily’s life?’

Information about the work we are doing is in the student handbook, Student Association updates and on our social media channels.

More information

If you would like to learn more or need to speak with someone, please email the student services team at student.support@slc.ac.uk

Useful links

Equally Safe: national strategy

https://www.gov.scot/publications/equally-safe/

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (24 hours)

Scottish Women’s Aid

https://womensaid.scot/

Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfewshire

http://www.wasl.org.uk/
01355 249897
Email: info@wasler.org.uk

Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid (for ethnic minority women and children)

www.hematgryffe.org.uk
0141 353 0859

Shakti Women’s Aid

https://shaktieedinburgh.co.uk
0131 475 2399

Rape Crisis Scotland

www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
General enquiries – 0141 331 4180
Helpline (every day) – 08088 01 03 02
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre

https://www.lanrcc.org.uk
01698 527003 / 08088 01 03 02
Email: support@lanrcc.org.uk

Police Scotland

https://www.scotland.police.uk/

You can contact the police for non-emergencies by calling 101, or in an emergency by dialling 999. If you are unable to speak to an emergency operator, you can use the ‘silent solution’ system by pressing 55 when prompted on your phone to alert the police.

Victim Support Scotland