When?
Wednesday 10 November.
Where?
Various university campuses across Manchester.
What’s happening?
Universities across Greater Manchester are creating their own campus events to support the awareness week. Activities include art installations and vigils.
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is hosting an exhibition to tackle harassment and sexual misconduct at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, Academy 2 from 10am – 4pm. The aim of their events is to create open discussions around sexual violence, release the results of the Resist Rape Culture survey and announce the commitments that the university will be putting in place.
The exhibition will involve a variety of media intended to provoke thoughts, feelings and actions within its visitors, allowing the public into the centre of what women and other marginalised genders experience day-to-day.
There will also be an open panel discussion in the evening between 7pm-8.30 pm entitled How the University of Manchester is Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct? This will take place at the Roscoe Building, Theatre B and is an opportunity for the university community to ask any questions.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University will be inviting staff and students to sign a pledge board to show their commitment to stamping out sexual harassment and violence in our communities. Several pledge boards will be located at key locations around campus, and staff and students will be encouraged to sign the pledge and take a photo to post on social media. By signing the pledge board they will commit to calling out all forms of harassment, educating themselves on the topic and keeping the wider community safe.
University Academy 92 (UA92)
UA92 is hosting an NWSV week stall where students can access Survivor Support Packs, information on specialist support organisations, guidance on reporting and free personal attack alarms. They are planning to light up the large first floor front window space up in purple throughout the whole week.
University of Salford
The University of Salford is launching a virtual whiteboard for people to make comments and pledges against sexual violence.
Between 4.30pm – 5.20pm on Wednesday 10 November at University House, the Student Union is hosting an event for the awareness week which will include the launch of their campaign around sexual violence.
Then between 5.30pm – 6.30pm outside the Maxwell Building, a vigil in solidarity for survivors of sexual violence will be held. The building will be illuminated purple with a physical whiteboard in place for people to make pledges against sexual violence. There will be speeches from university staff members and students/Student Union and hopefully a performance from students. The University’s Dean of Students will open this event.
The evening event will also include a one minute silence to remember survivors of sexual violence and will finish at about 6.15pm.
The University of Salford will also be promoting North West Sexual Violence Awareness Week heavily during the week and how to report via Report & Support.
Bolton Students’ Union
Bolton Students’ Union is hosting a stalled event at the University of Bolton, Chancellor’s Mall Building, Deane Rd, BL2 3DY from 11am – 2pm. It will feature local organisations and provide information and support resources on sexual violence and other harmful behaviours.
The Students Union will also be running stalls on consent and drug spiking safety.
The University will be offering Survivor Support Packs along with information about how to access Counselling and Wellbeing support. Including a drop-in session for students 3pm-4.30pm in the Life Lounge for those affected by sexual violence.
The University will be handing out personal attack alarms and other useful safety items alongside running Active Bystander training.
This event will run from 11am – 2pm in the Chancellor’s Mall Building, University of Bolton, Deane Rd, BL2 3DY.
