Abertay University creates public information resource to promote awareness of Gender-Based Violence

Abertay University creates public information resource to promote awareness of Gender-Based Violence

Abertay University has launched a publicly available information resource as part of a campaign aimed at tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Led by staff in the University’s Library, the extensive collection of books and reading materials forms part of wider package of support available on campus, and goes on offer as part of the University’s programme of events to mark the annual international 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign.

The University is working closely with Abertay Students’ Association over the 16 Days, with other events taking place on-campus including workshops on sexual consent, talks from Police Scotland on support available to GBV victims and mindfulness workshops themed around helping victims recover from trauma.

In addition to educating students, staff and members of the public on GBV, the ‘Relationships and Recovery 101’ Library collection aims to give those who have experienced GBV information that can act as a first step to recovery.

The reading list entitled “Relationships and Recovery 101: a reading list for learning about healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to recover from trauma” was funded by Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and was curated in consultation with partner organisations: Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS), Equally Safe in Higher Education (ESHE), Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (WRASAC), EmilyTest, Dundee Women’s Aid, and Amina Dundee.

Although online licensed resources are available to Abertay staff and students only, print items can also be borrowed by those referred to Abertay Library by the partner organisations.

Library staff have organised the books in such a way that accessing and checking them out is as discrete as possible and due to the different requirements of survivors, wherever possible, books have been made available in both online and print formats.

Staff and students at Abertay are taking part in a range of events throughout 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, with a strong turn-out of students and staff attending the Reclaim the Night march organised by WRASAC on Monday 28 November.

Student President Olivia Robertson said: “‘The new library resource is a fantastic new addition to the support available to survivors of Gender-Based Violence at Abertay and beyond.

“I am confident it will be a huge asset to those who require support and others that wish to educate themselves on this crucial subject.

“It is inspiring to see Abertay contributing to the wider discourse surrounding Gender Based Violence and aiding the promotion of support mechanisms and education materials related to the issue.

“I hope to see more of this vital work from Abertay in the future as it can make a large difference to a survivor’s journey.’

Learning Resources Manager Lisa Clark said: “This new library resource, coupled with our existing support measures, campaigning, consent training and partnership work with Abertay Students’ Association, demonstrate our commitment to tackling GBV, supporting those affected by it and educating people about its impacts.

“GBV affects all parts of society and can be a tough issue to confront, but it’s really important that we have the courage to open up to these difficult conversations and keep trying to achieve positive change in this area."