Gender-based violence is violence mainly committed towards women and girls because of their gender. It is never the fault of the person experiencing violence or harassment, and responsibility always lies with the perpetrator.
Everyone has the right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. Together with our Students’ Union, Queen Mary sends a clear message that gender-based violence is never acceptable and that we all have a responsibility to prevent it within our communities.
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Although anyone can be the victim of harassment and violence, these forms of abuse are disproportionally committed against women and girls, because they are women and girls.
Gender-based violence includes sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking and harassment, FGM (female genital mutilation), forced marriage and so-called ‘honour-based violence’, trafficking and prostitution, and abuse of women and girls in online spaces.
Violence against women and girls occurs in every society, and women’s inequality due to other factors such as their social class, sexuality or sexual identity, ethnicity, disability, mental health and age makes them more likely to experience violence and less likely to access support.
If you or someone else has experienced sexual harassment or violence, you can use our Report+Support platform to seek support from specialist services and/or make a report to the University.
Report+Support includes a list of local and national support services available for anyone who has experienced gender-based violence.
The Advice and Counselling Service at Queen Mary is available for advice and guidance on further support options and for ongoing support for students. They provide a range of specialist, professional and confidential services to support students with financial, welfare, legal as well as emotional and psychological issues.
Our employee assistance programme is a free, confidential service that provides a wide range of support for staff, including counselling and practical support.
The Government’s Enough campaign aims to highlight the different forms of violence against women and girls, and the steps that anyone can take to challenge perpetrators of abuse. The Enough website includes advice on how to help if you witness abuse or violence, and resources for people who are worried about their own behaviour.
The Greater London Authority have published guidance and resources to support people in challenging abusive behaviour and supporting those who have experienced gender based violence.
An essential part of our commitment to making Queen Mary safe and respectful for all is in helping everyone to have a clear understanding of sexual consent. Our Consent Matters course explains how to recognise and ask for sexual consent, look out for others on campus, and where to find support if you need it. All students should complete this training within the first two weeks of their time at Queen Mary.
Active Bystander training provides staff with the skills and confidence to challenge unacceptable behaviour at work and around campus. Workshops focus on responding to instances of bullying, intimidation, sexual harassment, or any other behaviours that contribute to a toxic culture. Check the CPD booking system for upcoming courses (Queen Mary login required).
Organisational and Professional Development work with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to run training courses for staff on understanding the different forms of gender-based violence and the barriers to disclosing abuse young people face, and developing skills in appropriately responding to disclosures. Check the CPD booking system for upcoming dates.