Thursday 03-08-2017 - 09:10

We would like to invite you to take part in an upcoming peer to peer training initiative which explores sexual violence and how we can all work together to tackle this issue. It would be fantastic if you were interested in getting involved. There is more information on the initiative detailed below and how you can get involved.

 

Background to the programme

Last year the University of Glasgow Students’ Representative Council and Glasgow Caledonian University and Student’s Association piloted a student-led initiative in partnership with Rape Crisis Scotland. Students at both universities wanted to do something to tackle sexual violence, building on student activism such as the Let’s Talk campaign. So we developed a programme for students with a keen interest in challenging sexual violence to be trained and supported to deliver workshops to other students.

 

The key principles and approaches we decided on were:

• Encouraging community ownership and engagement

• Participatory workshops, not ‘lectures’

• Developing empathy with survivors of sexual violence and creating a supportive ethos

• Understanding sexual violence as cause and consequence of gender inequality

• Constructively challenging unhelpful attitudes, but not antagonistic

• Focusing on preventing perpetration, rather than ‘keeping yourself safe’ messages.

 

Are you interested?

We are holding an information session on Monday 7^th August 1pm – 2pm in CEE1. This will give us a chance to meet you, and give you time to ask any questions you may have about the training and subsequent workshops.

The trainers and workshop participants gave really good feedback and both universities want to build on the success, so we’re now inviting anyone with an interest in being trained as a trainer to get in touch with Nicole Jackson (Student Wellbeing Adviser – Nicole.Jackson@gcu.ac.uk) and let her know if you are attending the information session. We’re looking for people of any age and gender, with a commitment to equality and non-violence and an interest in challenging sexual violence and promoting student engagement with the issues.

 

The training includes:

• Plenty of time for discussions, sharing ideas and learning from each other

• What sexual violence is, and what the different forms are

• The impacts of sexual violence

• An overview of the criminal justice process

• How the media reports on sexual violence

• How to respond if someone discloses sexual violence during a workshop, and support and referral pathways at your university

• Working with groups and responding to tricky questions

• Consent and bystander approaches

• Practice facilitating the activities you would deliver

 

What’s the commitment?

• Take part in a four-day initial training course Tuesday 29^th August – 1^st September (inclusive)

• Commit to working collaboratively, supportively and constructively with fellow trainers

• Deliver workshops to students at your university, which will be organised by GCU.

• Take part in ongoing practice development sessions – approximately 2-3 over the coming year

• Contribute your ideas and feedback to help shape the programme for the future.

 

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, deliver workshops and enhance your CV for future employment. You will gain fantastic experience and knowledge, in a topic that is so important and current for our student population. You will also be able to deliver a workshop(s) to groups of students, in turn, increasing presentation skills and confidence.