The 6 – 12 February 2023 in the UK is Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week. It is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence, providing an opportunity to raise awareness, join the conversation, and a chance for us to share important contacts and resources.
It isn’t always easy to seek support. You might feel scared or worried about what might happen if you do. These are all valid feelings, and you will never be made to do something you are uncomfortable with. The University has lots more information on support at the university for sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and sexual harassment on the Essentials webpages, including reporting to Never OK the University’s official reporting system.
If you do want to report anything, however large or small, you can do so by emailing neverok@reading.ac.uk. Once you have reported an incident our Student Welfare team will contact you to offer you support, talk through your options, and explain what can happen next to help you decide what you want to do.
Want to know more about the process? Our flowchart might help you with visualising the Never OK reporting process.
If you don’t want to report an incident but would like some support and someone to talk to you can do so by contacting the Student Welfare team to arrange an appointment, or you can come along to the Welfare Drop in – Monday to Friday 1-4pm (Carrington building reception).
Support and information outside of the University
Alongside the support on offer at the university there are also loads of great organisations that you can get in touch with for advice and information outside of the University.
Trust House Reading: provide confidential specialist sexual violence and abuse support services to women, men and children living in Berkshire, which includes practical and emotional support and Counselling. This support is available to survivors of historical or recent experiences of rape and sexual abuse and to their friends, family or anyone who is impacted. Telephone Help Line: 0118 9584033
Solace: Sexual Assault referral centre (SARC) offers a safe, discreet, and caring environment providing forensic examination and medical treatment, counselling and aftercare support services to men, women and children and those supporting them, who live within Thames Valley, who have experienced rape or sexual assault, recent or non-recent.
For advice or to make an appointment contact them on 0800 970 9952 (24 hours a day 7 days a week) or Email:info@solacesarc.org.uk.
NHS Royal Berkshire Hospital – Florey Unit: provide free confidential integrated sexual health services in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire. Telephone 0118 3227202
The Survivors Trust: Offers resources and links to services, as well as guidance for those who have experienced rape or sexual assault and those supporting survivors.
Rape Crisis: provide free support and services to victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and all forms of sexual violence. Telephone 0808 8029999
There are lots more organisations that can help you which can be found on the Essentials webpages.
Sexual harassment campaign at the University of Reading
It is a sad fact that students are among the most likely groups to experience sexual assault.
As a result, universities have a big part to play in making sure there are systems and policies in place to discourage and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct.
We want to enable a community where all of us are empowered to stand against sexual harassment and the toxic culture in which such behaviour is normalised. So, we are calling on all students to get educated and support each other to call out harassment.
During February, the University of Reading is running the campaign ‘See it, Say it, Stop it – Sexual Harassment is Never OK’. You can pledge to take a stand against sexual harassment and behaviours that are normalised in day-to-day life. In encouraging your peers to sign up, educating yourself, and learning to call out behaviours we can all work together to change the culture.
Sign the pledge now, and share your advocacy statement on social media with the digital badge!
How can I get involved?
A few suggestions for getting involved yourself in Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Day:
- Sign the sexual harassment pledge and share an advocacy statement on social media tagging #SexualHarassmentIsNeverOK
- Share resources and support information on social media
- Get educated on sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual violence
- Take on the Consent Matters and Active Bystander training
- Look out for events on our student events webpage
- Talk to friends about this topic
Find out more about Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week, and keep up to date with our blog, Twitter and Instagram for more content from the sexual harassment campaign.