19 minute read
How many thoughts can you spare for Somalia?
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Gucci turns Fur-Free: Going green or avoiding a fashion faux-pas?
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By Alexandra Brosens-Doy
Gucci, the Italian fashion powerhouse, has announced that it will go fur-free in 2018 and that all of the remaining animal fur items will be auctioned off, according to president and CEO Marco Bizzarri. This comes following the same decision taken by Armani, another Italian fashion powerhouse. Although fur has been at the centre of a long standing debate, recent years have demonstrated stronger support against the use of fur in the fashion industry. Having said this, and despite protests by animal welfare charities such as PETA, the chief executive of the International Fur Federation, Mark Oaten, said that he was “expecting a cracking week in London” and that he would be “disappointed if he didn’t [sic] see fur on at least 80% of the catwalks.” Despite the fact that the basic response to such a move, which would have been branded as bold 20 years ago, is that it is something that everyone should and does support, one may also argue that it is still pure economic rationality from Gucci. Times are changing as consumer trends have shown a decline in the demand of fur products. Fur is associated with the social status that millennial fashion trends are keen to disturb and reject. For example, despite the rise in popularity over the last 10 years of Canada Goose jackets, the company is facing huge backlash after the methods in which the fur trim and real goose down lining were sourced were uncovered. Equally, rather than a charitable and progressive decision, Gucci’s CEO’s decision could be seen as only a response to demand. Moreover, this is yet another example of how ‘vegan’ ideas are trickling down into many aspects of society. Morals and ideas are changing. Although vegans may once have been branded as free loving hippies living in communities wearing all-hemp clothing, the reality today is very different as the ‘everyday’ consumer has become more educated and compassionate about their lifestyle habits. Inconsistencies in these behaviours are obvious: veganism and organic food may be a thing, but it is doubtful whether certain people would be willing to forsake their jet setting lifestyles in order to reduce air pollution, for example. This being said, whatever criticism there may be against consumption behaviours, one must admit that the positive effects of going furfree are undeniable. Uniqlo heattech jackets can keep us warm for now. Wegmann
How many thoughts can you spare for Somalia?
By Tito Mogaji-Williams
The world in 2017 is unfortunately no stranger to terrorism, war, disease, violence, or natural disasters. But few places on Earth endure these threats simultaneously and with such devastating implications as Somalia. While terrorism and violence are a fear everywhere, and infrequent attacks in Europe and America have made us scared for our lives and that of those we love; Somalia was devastated by an atrocity unparalleled in its history. Th e 15th of October is a day burnt and blackened for time immemorial and yet, far from dominating our headlines with pertinent questions as to the intent of the attackers or the details and implications of such an enormous catastrophe, we are met with radio silence. Just as in nearby Yemen, where British supplied bombs are being used indiscriminately, our media refuses to prioritise the lives of those victims whose skin holds the wrong tone. Th e deaths of white people matter more perhaps. And it is for this reason that the coverage of the impact of Hurricane Harvey and Irma felt so distorted alongside an earthquake that killed at least 300 in Mexico and the complete devastation of the Caribbean islands that left several more-or-less uninhabitable. Just as the deaths in the horrifi c Las Vegas shooting may be roughly ten times less than the black bodies killed in Mogadishu but will receive infi nitely more coverage. Journalism is a place of double standards. It is a sphsere where a country in Africa, Asia, or Latin America can achieve so much and elect their 9th President in a successful election but only achieve a blip of western recognition in their darkest moment. And far from even warranting a #NeverForget or a #JeSuisCharlie online, all Somalia has received is “thoughts and prayers” from politicians and celebrities that cannot spell Mogadishu.
Gareth Jennings
A Broken System?
Bath Time’s sexual harassment and assault survey revealed the scale of the problem from student experience and the inadequate response from both the SU and the University.
By Alisha Lobo - Editor- In- Chief
With the recent events that have happened over the past couple of years, the Stanford rape case, the
Harvey Weinstein aff air, and the #MeToo social media campaign, sexual harassment and assault is a continuously debated topic across university campuses in the country and, indeed, across the world. Crimes against women and those in the LGBTQ+ community remain underreported, with many victims claiming a fear of speaking out due to apprehensions of backlash and victim blaming. As a result, a handful of cases make it to trial and even fewer ever reach conviction. Bath Time recently conducted a survey on the student’s experience of sexual harassment and assault on campus. Th e survey also included questions on the understanding of consent and the reporting mechanisms in place at the SU and University. Th e survey revealed signifi cant gaps between understanding and practice and harrowing accounts of what students have gone through. Bath Time recognises that we cannot actively verify each account that is mentioned below as they were received via an anonymous survey, however we deem the following to be concerning and warranted being reported on.
“My best friend was raped on campus and we were essentially told by the university that their image and reputation came fi rst and that they would support the police investigation but would make no public announcement and keep the incident widely under exposed” “Th e university and the SU is failing students. When I have reported my rape and experiences of sexual assault, university services (ARC and wellbeing) simply told me not to drink, not to go out, and to ensure I’m never alone. Th is is victim blaming pure and simple.”
or defi nitely experienced harassment on campus. To put this in perspective, a FOI (Freedom of Information) request put in this summer showed that, from 2012 till 31st of August 2017, the university recorded 13 sexual harassment cases, 4 sexual assault cases, and 6 rape cases. On a national level, in the 2010 NUS hidden marks report stated that 68% of women students had been subject to verbal or physical sexual harassment. Th e vast majority of respondents had an understanding of what consent was. Th is was further refl ected when questioned whether individuals gained consent before engaging in sexual activity, with 92% believing they had. However, 46% did not feel they had provided consent when engaging in sexual activity. Th e diff erence between the two fi gures is concerning in shaping the scale of the problem that students are faced with. Close to 50% of individuals stated they had witnessed sexual assault or harassment. Even less students felt afraid to speak up against the sexual assault and harassment they witnessed. Th ere remains a gap in the ability of the bystander to confi dently and eff ectively intervene in such situations that are prevalent across campus and in the city. Other concerning results were pertaining the lack of education relating to the reporting mechanisms. 65% of students do not know how to report sexual assault or harassment. As a result of this, 86.3% do not know what happens aft er a report is made nor what the University’s policy on sexual assault and harassment is. Th ese statistics also correlate with an NUS report that two thirds of Freshers don’t know where to report sexual harassment. Upon further research, the SU website was limited in its perceived accessibility. Th ere was no explicit mention of sexual assault or harassment
Editor’s Note: Bath Time recognises that the decision to report to the police can only be made by the victim/ survivor and not the University. “I know about 2 cases of rape on campus or in a student home, it was reported to the university and neither were taken to the police/dealt with in a way that the student was happy with”
With over 370 responses to the survey, there were two third female respondents and a third male respondents. 56.4% of students stated that they had maybe or defi nitely experienced sexual harassment or assault in Bath, while 36.8% said that they had maybe
on its homepage. Students can report an incident, under the ‘talk to us’ sub section section which allows students to fi ll out an anonymous form. On the other hand, when looking at the university website to report a problem, there was a health and safety option to report an incident and accident, but there was no explicit mention of sexual harassment or assault. When conducting a website-wide search for sexual assault and harassment, a victim would be directed to report the incident with the Well Being Adviser, make a formal complaint through the Director of Student Services or to speak to security. Both websites and sources of support leave much to be desired in the ease of reporting such incidents, as well as a provision of information as to what happens thereaft er. In other fi ndings from our survey, there re-
mains a continual stream of comments relating to individuals feeling let down with the response of the SU and the University when they reported their incidents. Individuals were questioned on the amount that was drunk, what they were wearing, and if they had been leading perpetrators on with their behaviour which resulted in their own assault and harassment. Th ere were also comments made in relation the need to adequately address male harassment and the lack of eff orts made to overcome its stigma. It is a perspective which is oft en overlooked in the very gendered discussion of sexual harassment and assault. 16% of males reported harassment in comparison to 46% of females. In the fi nal part of the survey, students were able to leave any further comments. It was here that one could gauge the failure of the system as a whole. Th ere was a lack of information and understanding of the nuanced nature of this topic, with many respondents citing the prevalence of alcohol in clubs and SU nights as a particular environment
where such behavior rampant. Th ere was a lack of awareness about reporting mechanisms, the victimblaming of people when they did seek help, and the blowback from lengthy procedures. Ben Palmer, SU Community Offi cer, said: “We take sexual assault and harassment extremely seriously, which is why Th e SU is working with the University in the running the #NeverOK campaign and constantly review our services to ensure they off er best-practice advice and support. Our professional advisors are trained to treat reported rape and sexual assault with the utmost confi dentiality and sensitivity. You will be believed, you will be taken seriously, you won’t be pressured to make a formal report. Bath Time highlights important issues about the transparency and accessibility of reporting – key issues that #NeverOK aims to address. We will investigate the issues raised in this report to continue making improvements in this area, working with the University to do the same in partnership.” Th e University comment is from Peter Lambert, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Learning & Teaching): “Th e wellbeing of our students is paramount to us and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or violence towards members of our community. “We take any reports of sexual harassment or rape extremely seriously and would urge any student who needs support to get in touch with Student Services. Our clear guidelines for supporting students who report being sexually assaulted or harassed have been developed in conjunction with Th e Bridge, a well-respected Sexual Assault Referral Centre. We place the highest priority on acting quickly, sensitively and in the best interests of our students. “It is important that the person aff ected can decide whether or not to contact the police. We help students who choose to report to the police with transport, advice and support. We also provide comprehensive support to students who do not wish to raise a formal report. “Training has been provided to SU bar staff and members of the University’s security team through the Good Night Out campaign, enabling staff to respond confi dently to reports of sexual harassment or assault. We also have a wellbeing programme for students with nine members of staff providing welfare support, a counselling service and daily drop in session on campus for students seeking support. Upon receiving recent funding from HEFCE, the University and the SU are working together on the #NeverOK campaign to combat sexual harassment and assault on campus. It aims to: •Develop a more accessible and visible online reporting mechanism which will appear on both the SU and University website. •Specialist training from Rape Crisis centres on how to work with victims/survivors of sexual assault. •Develop a disclosure pathway for all University staff to ensure that students are responded to sensitively and signposted to support •Develop a student support toolkit ensuring that victims/survivors of harassment or assault receive the most comprehensive support, including free counselling, transport to external agencies and academic, fi nancial and accommodation support as necessary.
If you, or your friend, have been harassed or assaulted, please contact : - Th e SU Advice Centre, in the Student Centre. You can call them on 01225 386906 or email them using suadvice@ bath.ac.uk - Student Services, 4 West. You can call them on 01225 383838 or email them studentservices@bath.ac.uk
It can happen to anyone - a victim’s account
It was my fi rst year, just a few weeks aft er having fi rst come to the University. I was feeling a bit lost and homesick and going out was an easy activity to feel better. It was a standard SU night with the fl at, naively happy with our new freedom and the amount we had, we took off to the SU and began our night; singing on the bus and shuffl ing in the queue until we made it to Th e Plug. We met with more people once we arrived, drawing new people into the circle and having people fall away. I got talking with a guy - I mean as best as you can with the loud music. We headed over to the bar and he bought me double shots and we moved back to the dance fl oor. I got introduced to his friends and he insisted on another double shot. I went to fi nd my friends and he remained by my side as I moved across the room. After another session of dancing, he bought me another around of double shots. We exchanged numbers and he suggested a date, to which I provided some ambiguous answer. I wasn’t sure about what this was or where it was going - a lot can happen on a club night. We carried on dancing with our friends, but it soon became clear that the night was over for me and I wanted to head home. I headed for the bus only to be joined by him a couple of minutes later. ‘Strange’ I thought, why would he be coming back with me? A seemingly friendly guy, I pushed suspicion aside to account for my increasing waves of nausea and the overwhelming drowsiness that I was desperately trying to fi ght off . Maybe it was the hill, the driving, the descent, or a combination of the three, but when I got out at the end of the hill and began walking home I found myself desperately hoping that the cold air of the evening would provide me some relief. He also got out and began walking me home, holding me steady as I tottered about in my heels. As we made it back to my fl at I threw up twice. Th is being my fi rst time throwing up from alcohol in my life, I was unnerved. Clearly, I was in a bad way. I made my way to sort myself out and get myself ready for bed. By this time, I realised he had made himself very comfortable in my room; sitting on my bed, looking around and taking in the surroundings. Aft er limited conversation and a request that he leave, I was told that everything was fi ne and that this happened all the time as a fresher - so I had better get used to it. Rather than any questions about my welfare, or indeed leaving, it was his turn to have a good time. I was backed into a wall and forcibly kissed and felt up simultaneously. Caught off guard, I pushed back and tried
to move away. Bad move. I was followed to the edge of my bed, knees buckling as he lay on top of me, kissing me and feeling me up. I lay there, making no movement as he made his way around my body. It seemed easier to lay there than it was to put up a proper fi ght. I reasoned that it would be over soon enough. No one was home to hear me yell, and I was focused on keeping awake. His hands moved lower and I pulled his hand away and squeezed my legs together tighter. But there was nothing that was going to prevent him from having his way. My fi ght was a weak defence to a determined man. My trousers and underwear were pulled down and his cold fi n-
gers prodded me between my legs. I remember him asking if I liked what he was doing to me, if my squirming was me enjoying it. My nos didn’t seem suffi cient in answering his incessant questions. My mind going blank and desperately trying to block out what was happening and then just white; as I mustered everything I had to push away his hand. He looked up blankly and then grinned, as if to say, his work here was done. I took that split second to haul myself up and push him away. He didn’t seem concerned by his actions or possess any remote concern over what he had done to me. He got his stuff from the bedside and left with a casual, ‘see you around’. Shocked, I was left to process what had happened to me. As the door shut, numbness took over. I stayed in that position till sunrise the next day, going over the events in my head over and over again.
Shocked, I was left to process what had happened to me. As the door shut, numbness took over. I stayed in that position till sunrise the next day, going over the events in my head over and over again. For weeks, I moved through the motions of being a fresher. Hoping that I wouldn’t have to bump into him again. I moved quickly, my eyes darting everywhere to each and every face waking down the parade to make sure it wasn’t him. I didn’t sleep in my bed for a while and moved my bedding to the fl oor in order to get some sleep. My denial was the longest. I didn’t realise that I had been assaulted and refused to allow my mind to go there. As a result, I think that was one of the main reasons why I did not reach out for help, I didn’t realise what the magnitude of what had happened to me, apart from the fact that it just ‘wasn’t right.’ I am considered the strongest in my group of friends. Th ings like this are not supposed to happen to ‘girls like me’ - it happens to the people you read about in the news. I could not bring myself to say the words. It has taken me the better half of three years to say the words, I was a victim of sexual assault. I felt weakness for the fi rst time in my life because this was the fi rst thing that was out of my control, it is something that conjured up frustration, anger, shame and endless amounts of crying. Recently aft er close to three years, I saw him on campus and my body froze. I ended up backing up into a wall and crouching in the corner as my mind went numb. I desperately tried to fi gure out what my next move was and who to call. I realised I had no one, because I had not told anyone. Since the incident I have reached out and told a handful of people of what has happened to me. It infuriates me that power over my own body had been taken away from me and the mere sight of him can be that crippling. It has aff ected relationships with any signifi cant other in my life. Intimacy is a big deal and it takes extra long for me to feel comfortable. It requires me to confi de about an experience that I would prefer to keep to myself (which I have tried my best to avoid.), as well as a partner with tremendous patience and understanding. It is a source of great anger and frustration that a twenty-minute encounter has had such an impact on the way I live my life. I have come to realise that it is something that I will always carry with me. I am writing this in the hope that it helps other people like me. Everyone can be a victim. You are not alone. Please reach out and seek help. If you have been aff ected by this account, please contact the Advice and Representation Centre, Level 3 of the Student Centre or Student Services in 4W
