International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Today’s Guardian contains a letter, signed by many prominent feminists, entitled ‘Legal aid cuts put women in danger’, and it is as simple as the title phrases it. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women we should remember that when legal aid was established by the 1949 Legal Aid and Advice Act it was a founding feature of the welfare state, providing people without the means access to legal representation. Least of all it is vital to focus on when 45% of women continue to have experienced some form of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Legal support is a vital feature of any decent society, and yet it is currently facing ruthless cuts which will shamelessly target the vulnerable, including women, ethnic minorities and the disabled. Cuts to the family courts neglect to recognize the importance of family and the home in daily life.

The fearless legal battles of the Southall Black Sisters has lead to the protection of ‘domestic violence’ cases, but the government neglects to acknowledge the affects are more diverse than bruises. The definition of domestic violence is constantly narrowing not taking into account the wider, less explicit, complications which arise from such situations, such as subsequent debt and financial consequences. The Law Society has proposed alternative means of cutting expense, but these have been continually ignored. Access to legal aid is not a privilege but a basic necessity, and it is necessary to fight changes more than ever today with such persistent violence against women. 

Today Royal Holloway Feminism society launched our Zero tolerance Campaign on campus with a "cant touch this" dance mob in great customised T-shirts.


The Zero Tolerance Campaign is an anti-sexual harassment campaign created by the NUS Women’s Campaign- though of course it would apply to ALL students, regardless of gender!

It is a campaign designed to be implemented in students’ unions, to show that SUs will not tolerate sexual harassment in their establishments – and we want to implement it here at SURHUL!

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is any sexual behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable. This includes, but is not limited to:

• unwanted sexual comments,
• inappropriate touching/ groping,
• someone exposing their sexual organs to you without your consent.

Why do we need the Zero Tolerance Campaign?

The NUS Women’s Campaign conducted a national survey into sexual harassment on university campuses.

The Hidden Marks survey found that 68% of women students are subjected to sexual harassment while at university or college.

We believe that there is a culture in students’ unions, in which sexual harassment is seen as acceptable, “just a bit of fun”. We need to change this attitude so that studentsfeel safer in our union.

What will Zero Tolerance mean for our union?

Implementing the Zero Tolerance Campaign will mean that any reported incidents of sexual harassment are taking seriously. Students’ union staff will be trained to deal with any reported cases, and to treat victims with respect. The student’s union’s disciplinary policy will be updated to specifically take into account sexual harassment, which will mean offenders can be punished accordingly. There will also be promotional material in the union (e.g. posters in the toilets) so that people are aware of the campaign 

and know how to report sexual harassment.

How can I get involved?

For more information on the Zero Tolerance Campaign, including more information on the Hidden Marks survey, visit www.nusconnect.org.uk/ You can also email SURHUL Feminism Society at rhulfeminism@gmail.com

Look out for our own sexual harassment survey in the coming weeks – please complete it so that we know how prevalent sexual harassment is at RHUL.

Finally, look out for a motion on Zero Tolerance being proposed at a GM next term – keep an eye on www.su.rhul.ac.uk to find out when this will be, and please come along and vote for Zero Tolerance!

Vicky Iglikowski and Jasmine Wyeth

RHWACA