The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield // www.forgetoday.com
Issue 22 // Thursday April 22 2010
Inside Fuse page 8-9
Chase & Status interview
The wait continues
In the line of fire
Hallam win Varsity. Full coverage and analysis.
Election guide
Forge Press meets the Officer Training Corps.
16 page pull-out inside
News pages 9-11
Features pages 16-17
Kerb-crawlers prey on Opal residents 4Student solicited by punters has demanded more protection 4Flats are in the heart of Sheffield’s red light district Leanne Rinne A University of Sheffield fresher who was harassed by kerb crawlers outside her student accommodation is calling for the University to do more to protect female students. Lisa Wade, a 19-year-old Law student, was walking to Tesco on Infirmary Road from her flat at Opal 3 student accommodation, when two men in a car asked her if she was a “working girl”. When she said “no” they persisted and asked: “Do you want to be?” It was approximately 7.30pm and Lisa was wearing casual clothes - including a University of Sheffield hoodie - to go food shopping.
Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com She crossed the road and rang South Yorkshire Police immediately to report the incident. The operator she spoke to told her Opal 3 student accommodation “was in the heart” of the red light district, and they had received calls from other students experiencing the same problem. Lisa said: “The operator told me people are specifically trying to recruit female students into prostitution because they know they are having financial difficulties – they said it’s a national problem.” The incident took place earlier this academic year, but Lisa said
she is still afraid to walk around the area in the evening. The Opal accommodation website states the residence boasts an “array of security features”, including “24 hour manned security and high quality digital CCTV”, but Lisa believes it is still unsafe. She said: “They could have dragged me off, it really knocked me back. You just don’t expect this sort of thing to happen three months into university. “I really think there should be better security and more police around here. If girls like me are being solicited it’s not safe. “I also see prostitutes near Opal 2 all the time, but one of the reasons I came to this University is because I thought it was going to be safe.” She said she would not recommend the Opal 3 accommodation to any female student, and the University should warn people it is situated in the red light district. “I’ve seen the people who stopped me twice, they are deliberately trying to take advantage,” she said. A spokesperson from South Yorkshire Police said they want to reassure female students this is an isolated incident, and “robust action” is taken against people identified as kerb crawlers. Sergeant Darren Nugent from the City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) said: “Officers from the local SNTs and partners in Sheffield are working hard, not only to identify kerb crawlers in the area and take action against them, but also to assist women in getting out of prostitution. “In recent months, Sheffield City Centre has become increasingly populated with more
A reconstruction of the incident outside Opal 3. Photo: Rosie Taylor student accommodation flats that the police are tackling this provided around Shalesmoor, problem head on. Kelham Island and surrounding “Our advice is always plan areas. your journey, take a safe route to “Crime Reduction Officers your destination and don’t walk are working closely with the through unsafe or unlit areas. universities and students to give “Avoid walking on your own, advice about personal safety. especially at night.” “Our intention is to provide reassurance to female students Continued on page 6
35 Sheffield students are rape victims Andre Nunn More than 30 Sheffield students were victims of rape in the last decade, including three men, Forge Press has found. Three male and 32 female students in Sheffield filed reports of rape to the police between 2000 and 2009. In light of the statistics, Women’s Officer Amy Sutherland has urged students to treat the subject of male rape as less taboo. She said: “Sexual assault, domestic violence and rape are scenarios rarely discussed in relation to men. “There seems to be a fear that discussing these issues is some how unmasculine. “Gender stereotyping, for example, the notion of how men and women should behave, is damaging to both men and women and is something that we need to move away from.” Of the rapes reported by women, 14 - fewer than half of the total - resulted in a charge or a caution. Two of the three reports by men resulted in police action. There have been 114 reports of sexual assault on women, whilst only two men reported a sexual assault to the police. Despite these figures, the number of sexual offences are falling. Overall, there were 212 reports of sexual offences from students in Sheffield since 2000. This number peaked in 2005 and fell to just under 15 reports in 2009. Sutherland said there is support available for anybody at the University who is a victim of violence, regardless of gender. She said: “The University counselling service and Nightline are there for any student who has been a victim of violence. “The students’ union also offers personal safety alarms to all students regardless of gender. “Any student who has concerns about certain areas around campus should contact South Yorkshire Police or a member of the Student Officer team.” A recent study by the NUS called ‘Hidden Marks’ found that one in seven women students are victims of sexual assault or violence, but there is no such study for men.