Mancunion Issue 4 (2021-22) - Spiking Awareness by The Mancunion

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Issue 4 / 15th November 2021

How advice on drink spiking has resulted in victimTake it blaming

Girls Night In

Spiking “What do we want? A safe Awareness night out!” Boycotting clubs isn’t enough to stop spiking,

Manchester Bars Respond to Spiking Spiking Epidemic testing Misogyny in music

Further than the Dance Floor: Why is Spiking so absent

Spotlight: Laura Bates’ Men Who Hate Women

kits

“2-4-6-8 ... We just wanna dance safe!” KINOFILM Review: Women in Film Selection - Short Films Fall Short

Burnham backs boycott

Are you G-A-Y enough?

Should women have to pay for their What does spiking do own safety? to your body?

Myth-busting: HIV from needle attacks ‘Reports of drink spiking will be taken seriously’: The University of Manchester and Greater Manchester Police respond to the recent focus on spiking In conversation with : Pale Waves’ Heather Baron Gracie

“Whose streets? Our streets!”

2 Contents

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

25. Where To Catch Theatre in Manchester

6. Stepping Up Drug Awareness

31. Creative Submissions

Dear readers, At The Mancunion we are very aware of the current spiking epidemic occurring not only in Manchester but in the UK. We understand that this has been affecting many students of all genders in bars and nightclubs, therefore we have dedicated this newspaper issue to raising awareness through informative articles, perspectives and opinions all related to nighttime safety.

The Mancunion have been working on this issue for many months, prior to the national boycott, all writers and editors understand how difficult it is to speak out about personal experience to do with being spiked and I would like to thank anyone who came forward to tell their story. This issue of The Mancunion holds interviews with public figures who have the power to make systematic change in the culture of nightclubs and bars. We

30. The Crystal Maze Experience

also interviewed popular student bars to understand their response to the spiking epidemic. From a culture perspective we ask why spiking has been ignored for so long on our screens despite it being such a pressing issue in major cities. And we also include the testimonies of those who have experienced being spiked in Manchester. We hope this issue of The Mancunion sparks conversations with friends and we can all start to hold those in power accountable for the rise in spiking, assault and harassment on our streets. Who’s streets? Our streets.

Head News Editor: Archie Earle Deputy Editor: Shikhar Talwar news@mancunion.com

Managing Editor News & Current Affairs: Ella Robinson

Co-Science & Technology Editor: Sam Bronheim & Emma Hattersley

Managing Editor Michal Wasilewski

Investigations Editor: Joe McFadden

Culture:

Print Editor: Clem Lawrence Online Editor: Sophie Berkley

Features Editor: Serafina Kenny Deputy Features Editor: Steffie

Banatvala

Griffiths

hamer

Opinion Editor: Annie Dabb Deputy Editor: Gemma Brown

Fashion Editor: Alex Bikard Deputy Fashion Editor: Zahra Mukadam

Theatre Editor: Jay Darcy Books Editor: Aileen Loftus Deputy Books Editor: Ava Innes

Marketing Team: Conrad Pope, Eleanor Fisher, Jimena Gonzalez, Martina Ferrara, Camille Garret Follow us @themancunion on Instagram

Music Editor: Reece Ritchie Deputy Editors: Sarah Taylor & Jack Greeney

Beauty Editor: Alice Henderson Sport Editor: Arsh Asthana

Sub-editors: Elinor Burt, Katy Bray, Naziha Mardem-Bay, Florrie Evans

Lifetsyle Editor: Erin Botten

Food & Drink Editor:Katie Hourigan Food & Drink Editor: Izzy Lang-

Designers: Emily Turvey, Jonno Hadfield, Roisin Haver, Sam Bronheim, Anja Samy,

Film Editor: Benjy Kaluber-

Jess Walmsley, Ella Robinson, Mariam Hussain

News 3

ISSUE 4 / 15TH November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

‘Girls Night In’ takes the streets in powerful protest

Six hundred protestors marched through Deansgate to raise awareness of the rise in spiking cases across Manchester Joe McFadden Investigations Editor

n Wednesday 27th October Manchester’s students took to the streets in a protest against spiking. In the past few weeks, spiking in nightclubs has become something of an epidemic in student cities. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have been awash with distressing reports of students, primarily women, having their drinks spiked and, in some cases, even injected with drugs designed to cause unconsciousness. The protest was organised by the groups ‘Girls Night in Manchester’ and ‘End Spiking Now’. It began at 5.30pm with a banner making event in the Students Union building. Students took the opportunity to make a range of creative and colourful banners, with placards ranging from puns to pop culture references both hallmarks of any successful protest. Banner-making was not just attended by students. Councillors Jade Mary Doswell and Ekua Bayunu came to show their support for the movement alongside multiple media outlets, including the likes of Sky and ITV. The Mancunion, in collaboration with Fuse FM and Fuse TV spoke to some of those present at the event. One student told us that “It’s 2021 and women should not have to feel unsafe at a nightclub, at a bar, or at a restaurant. No one should have to feel unsafe, anywhere.” Another attendee told The Mancunion that “We should not be scared to go out and have a good time”. The Manchester Student’s Union Activities and Development Officer Camila Florencia touched upon what can be done about spiking and the SU’s response. “We just thought if we are doing this on our ground we should also be pushing for change in Greater Manchester

venues as well”. She emphasised that “It’s complicated because there are so many layers, it’s not just about the response, it’s about the prevention, the conversations”. A common feeling amongst all we spoke to wasn’t just anger and fear at what was happening, but also determination. Every person in attendance was there with a purpose. There was a collective determination to stand up and say something, to demonstrate to the authorities that this should not be taken lightly and that the onus is on them, not women, to do something about it. Following the banner making event, the group took the streets to make their feelings clear. At 7pm protestors assembled at St Peters Square to hold a rally in support of victims of spiking. One speaker declared that “people aren’t being supported, people aren’t being believed, and it needs to change” whilst another called for “more education and more advertising focused on the perpetrators, rather than the victims”. Once the speakers had concluded, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, was presented with a list of demands. Amongst those demands were calls for ‘Venues with repeated instances of spiking to lose their license’, and making ‘clubs responsible for … [ensuring] … victims of spiking get home safe, and are not to eject them from the premises under any circumstances’. Alongside these measures were more general nightlife

concerns like ‘regular, free night buses’ and a ‘24-hour dedicated helpline for spiking victims.’ A final demand was for the ‘Council to publish monthly reports on spiking, and where reported cases have taken place’. After the demands had been presented, The Mancunion spoke to Andy Burnham. He said that one of the main answers to combat spiking is by “challenging the individuals who are responsible for this behavior” and that people need to start “changing that and challenging … [misogynistic] behaviour” if they see their friends engaging in sexist or misogynistic practices. When asked whether education is the biggest way to combat spiking Burnham responded: “It is about an education campaign. I think that in the end is the most important part of this.” Finally, he said “I think as a male Mayor of Greater Manchester, I think there is something I can do to lead from the front and that’s why I’m here tonight. … It’s not okay. None of it is okay. It’s got to stop.” Next, the organisers led protestors in a march through Deansgate to First Street shouting “What do we want? A safe night out” “say it louder so the clubs can hear you ... say it louder so the government can hear you ... say it louder so the perpetrators can hear you”! The crowd continued to repeat chants like “Whose streets? Our Streets!” and “2-4-6-8 we just want to dance safe!” Finally, the protest culminated in another rally outside HOME. Protestors heard from more speakers with many drawing attention to the issue with spiking and the way the response from the

authorities have, put simply, been completely and wholly inadequate. Some speakers were victims of spiking, they read out their powerful testimonies as an example of the effects spiking can have on an individual and the way it impacts their life. However, due to the distressing nature of the speeches, the SU hosted a successful, alternative event in the form of a film night to provide a safe space for those who wished to participate without hearing the speeches. The film night was part of a wider, nationwide movement called ‘#GirlsNightIn’. This was a boycott of all clubs and bars by students on Wednesday night in an attempt to send a message to the nightlife industry that change must come for girls, and other marginalised groups, to feel safe in venues. Interestingly, prolific Manchester clubs including famed indie club 42s and Venue chose to voluntarily close on Wednesday night ‘in support’ of the boycott (staff were still paid). These moves attracted both praise and criticism because many felt that, whilst it was good the clubs recognised the gravity of the spiking epidemic, closing actually undermined the boycott. Nevertheless, anecdotal evidence shows that the boycott was successful with thousands of students across the country opting to stay in on the night of Wednesday 27th October. The message from the protest appeared to be that as long as the onus is on patrons, not parliament, to protect themselves, then the spiking issue will never be resolved.

4 News

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Andy discusses the AndyBurnham Burnham’s discusses Manchester Night Night In Manchester In protest protest Here’s what the Greater Manchester Mayor had to say about the rise in spiking attacks.

Shikhar Talwar and Joe McFadden News Editor and Investigations Editor

o what is your office doing to help combat spiking? What measures are you taking as the mayor to combat this drastic rise? Well, it’s not easy, if I’m honest with you. I’m not going to pretend that it is because obviously, we can’t regulate the behavior of people inside bars. If things are brought to our attention that are happening within certain establishments; of course, the council can take action in terms of licenses, and absolutely we would all intend that would happen. But, I think, to say that this can be done by asking people to cover their drinks or bars/owners to stop it; I don’t think that will stop it. This one, as I keep saying, is on people, who know they have friends or acquaintances who are engaged in this kind of behaviour: challenging it, calling it out, and then reporting it. Then how are you going to work with nightlife? So, you said what the council could do, but what more measures could the council use to deal with nightlife? Sasha Lord, who’s my night time economy advisor, is here as well, and we are both wanting to begin a dialogue with the organisers of tonight to say, what could be done with regard to particular establishments, where there have been

proven reports, where there is an ongoing concern [and] what type of steps could be taken? Now, they can’t be taken by me because it’s the council that licenses the premises, not my office. But obviously there’s an influence that we can both have. I am responsible for the Greater Manchester Police [...] if there are establishments in this city region where this stuff is going on night after night, then I’m afraid we aren’t going to just tolerate a situation where that just continues, action will be taken via licensing or via Greater Manchester Police. You spoke about what you can do at a regional level, but what approach would you like to see the central government take? The obvious thing is through licensing, where there is a proven pattern of behavior, you would need licensed premises to have all necessary [restrictions]. I don’t think they can stop the behavior [...] but you would want them to take reasonable steps to be able to have CCTV in the places that would be able to spot [these] instances. There’s a whole range of measures they can take, but I keep coming back to it: the answer lies in challenging the individuals who are responsible for this behavior. And everyone who’s doing this will be known by somebody within their friendship group for doing it. And it’s about changing that and challenging that behaviour.

So do you think education is the biggest way to combat spiking? I think sometimes, young men and older men don’t realize how their behavior might cross borders, and be just outrageous. That’s not just obviously, the extreme thing of spiking someone’s drink. It can just be in the way they speak to or get close to somebody, it’s about behavior. In every way and it’s about educating people about their behavior. Challenging it. Reminding, everyone’s got a mum, everyone’s got sisters, what would they feel if they were subjected to this type of behavior? It is about an education campaign. I think that, in the end, is the most important part of this. However, there are things that can be done via licensing, there are things that can be done via lighting, there are things that can be done by the police taking it more seriously. Afzal Khan recently provided a statement to us in which he suggested misogyny should be treated like a hate crime and these incidents are leaning towards misogyny. Do you have any opinions on this? Yeah, he’s making a really strong point there. [...] [However] would this behavior always fall within the legal definition of misogyny? I think that would just need to be clarified in the law. And that’s a matter for Parliament. I would say probably then, more for us here. I would say Parliament should

absolutely be passing tougher sentences for anybody who is proven to spike someone’s drink or if anyone is found with a syringe on a night out - particularly if they were found to have used it - I think you need very severe sentences in law. And obviously I will be looking to Afzal and other members of parliament to pass the necessary changes to legislation to make that happen. I don’t think it would be strong enough at the moment and that is part of the problem. It’s too permissive of the environment for people who are engaging in this type of behavior. Do you think that the Labour Party should use that as one of their prime concerns and in parliamentary initiatives? I certainly think we’ve got to get much more serious about women and girls safety. I think there’s been a bit of a wake up call going on this year, you know, following the murder of Sarah and then Sabina, and [...] many, many, many more. I think life has changed with social media and the pressure on young women but it’s always been there and I think people have turned away from it for too long, and absolutely it’s calling out everything at every step. As a male Mayor of Greater Manchester, I think there is something I can do to lead from the front and that’s why I’m here tonight. And, we’ll work with our MPs and whoever to change the culture around this. It’s not okay. None of it is okay. It’s got to stop.

Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streets? Our streets. Whose streers? Our streets.

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I think sometimes, young men and older men don’t realize how their behavior might cross borders, and be just outrageous. That’s not just obviously, the extreme thing of spiking someone’s drink. It can just be in the way they speak to or get close to somebody, it’s about behavior. In every way and it’s about educating people about their behavior. Challenging it.

Photo: Sam Bronheim @ Mancunion

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News 5

ISSUE 4 / 15TH November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

The comments provided by the local authorities on the rise in spiking Shikhar Talwar Deputy News Editor

We at The Mancunion have approached the local authorities in Manchester to see what their opinions are on the rise in spiking in Manchester. These are the replies we received:

Afzal Khan

Photo: Richard Townshend @ Wikimedia Commons Photo: David Woolfall @ Wikimedia commons

Lucy Powell Lucy Powell is a British Labour and Co-operative Party politician. She has been a Member of Parliament for Manchester Central since 2012. Her constituency includes the Main and the North Campus of the University. She has also been made the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing. Her comment on the spiking is:

“Drink spiking is a very serious crime in itself and a way for offenders to carry out other serious crimes. Victims should be able to have the confidence to come forward and know that their experiences will be taken seriously. “Victims should expect that both the Police but also the licensed bars where the offence takes place take the issue seriously and use

Greater Manchester Police Greater Manchester Police made a statement on 8th October 2021 regarding the ongoing situation, stating that: “Detectives are investigating several reports of drinks being spiked in the Fallowfield area of Manchester.” Detective Inspector John Robb of the GMP also highlighted that: “Drink spiking is a horrible experience for anyone, but we are starting to see that women are being targeted

Afzal Khan, CBE is a British Labour Party politician. He currently serves as a Member of Parliament for Manchester Gorton. His constituency includes places such as Fallowfield, Levenshulme, and Rusholme, all of which have a large student population. This is what he had to say: “The news of reported drink spikings in Manchester, particularly amongst the student population, is deeply worrying. Although everyone

every means at their disposal to find perpetrators and keep venues safe. This is not easy but some of the stories that people have shared about being ignored or dismissed out of hand will only make the problem worse. “I have written to the Chief Constable of GMP to ask him what steps he is taking to make sure that officers respond properly when these offences are reported.”

in this area and therefore we will be increasing our presence to help protect people and prevent these crimes. “We encourage everyone on a night out to have fun, but remain alert and if anyone sees anything suspicious to report it to us right away. “Whilst we will do all we can to tackle this, we recommend taking preventative measures too, such as not leaving your drink unattended and never accepting a drink that you haven’t seen being prepared. “If you suspect you have been

should be vigilant, these assaults are predominantly targeted at women and are a particularly insidious element of the violence against women endemic in our society. All women in Manchester should be able to enjoy a night out safely and without fear, and it is particularly revolting that people are choosing to prey on young people away from home for the first time. “It is important that Greater Manchester Police, the Universities, and venues take concrete action to protect women and support survivors. I have

University of Manchester A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of our students is always of the utmost importance to us and any reports of an individual having their drinks spiked is always alarming to hear. “We understand the extreme seriousness of such in-

asked the police district commander for Manchester to provide me with an update on the the actions they will be taking. However, I am clear that ‘undercover cops’ in bars is not the way forward and does not foster trust between the police and the civilian population. It is also imperative that when the Police and Crime Bill returns to the Commons, the Government accept any amendment that makes misogyny a hate crime.”

cidents and would encourage any student who believes they have been spiked to seek medical attention if needed, and report it to the police as soon as they can. Reports of drink spiking will be taken seriously. “If this happens on campus we urge students to contact security for immediate support through either the SafeZone app, or by calling the number on the back of their student

card. Students can also tell us via our Report and Support platform and a member of our Advice and Response team will respond as a matter of urgency to support them. “As a University, we are working with various agencies including student partners and Greater Manchester Police as part of the Sexual Violence Action Network for Students on this issue.”

spiked, seek medical advice and report it to the police as soon as you can. “Any reports we have of drink spiking will be taken seriously and the more information we have about these kind of incidents the more we can build a bigger picture and target those responsible.” However, an emergency protest group have stated their reluctance to leave the situation in the hands of the police or nightclub security services, stating that “Promoters, bouncers and police do not keep us safe. We can only win safety if we demand it”. Photo: Mark Andrew@Wikimedia

Beverley Hughes

Photo: The Bolton News

Sacha Lord Sacha Lord the co-creator of Parklife festival and the Warehouse Project. Along with this he is also the Greater Manchester Night-time economy advisor. On the 22nd of October, 2021, Lord was interviewed by Anna Jameson on BBC Radio Manchester. Jameson’s radio show was talking about the surge in spiking incidents in Manchester when Lord what brought on. This is a brief of what he had to say: “… let’s not just limit it to clubs or bars or pubs, you know house parties as well we’ve seen in the press, over the last week, haven’t we, but you know pre-COVID, […] we did a listening exercise with the four universities in

Bev Hughes, having the title Baroness Hughes of Stretford, is a British Labour Party politician. She is Manchester’s Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Police, Crime and Criminal Justice. Her comment on spiking was: “I want Greater Manchester’s streets, workplaces, schools, universities and homes to be safe for everyone. Nobody should be made to feel threatened, unsafe or intimidated in our city-region. “It is absolutely understandable that at this time, given recent events, people in Greater Manchester might have concerns or anxieties when it comes to their personal safety while on Greater Manchester […] we’re looking to create a safety charter, and it was including things like better lighting, more accessible transport, better support for students mental health. We want to make Greater Manchester one of the safest places in the UK to go out for a night out. “… I have reached out to the protesters. I want to meet them next week and I want to engage with them to see what we can do to make sure this is completely eradicated because it’s not acceptable. And if anybody is listening to this who knows a friends or people that do this, I would strongly say you call it out, because it’s not, it’s not acceptable. It’s not a Greater Manchester issue. You know this is happening across the UK, and it must be stopped.

a night out in our city-region. We take the wellbeing of our residents and those visiting our cities and towns incredibly seriously. The public should be reassured that Greater Manchester Police works hard to keep our citizens safe. There are also a number of safety campaigns specifically targeted at those enjoying our exciting and entertaining night time economy, such as the LGBTQ Foundation’s Village Haven and Village Angels scheme and Transport for Greater Manchester’s concerted drive to improve safety across our public transport network. “Last month, Greater Manchester Combined Authority published our Greater Manchester Gender-Based Violence Strategy – it includes prioritising work, already under way, with the newly

“… I think, is a licensed objective. When you have a license, you have look out for your customer. […] People spoke on bouncers, but there are other members of staff know you have bar staff these days. Quite often you see staffing toilets so if you don’t feel right, you know, just anything at all, go to the nearest member of staff. […] They are, in most well-run venues, trained, but you know I can assure you with this being such a hot topic this week, I’m very convinced that more places will be training as well. “I think we must do everything we can, absolutely everything, you know as operators, it is our responsibility to look after people in our venues.”

established Sexual Violence Action Network for Students to develop a hard-hitting campaign to challenge behaviours and attitudes and prevent sexual violence and harassment. The Strategy also commits to the launch of a sustained public awareness campaign, directed at educating men and boys, to challenge attitudes and behaviours. “Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, has offered to meet with the organisers of next week’s Manchester protest to hear their lived experiences and learn about the change they want to see. This city-region is determined to enhance the safety of women and girls, while working to prevent gender-based violence and challenging the attitudes and inequalities that enable it.”

Photo: Sacha Lord

6 News

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Manchester bars respond to spiking epidemic

Bars across Manchester have had to rethink their role in client safety, so here’s what some of students’ favourite spots are changing Image: Gerald England @ geograph

Shikhar Talwar & Erin Botten News Editor & Lifestyle Editor

e interviewed 256’s manager and owner, Keith Ifield, to ask how they felt about spiking in Manchester and their bar, and what they are going to do about it. Ifield assured us that they have all of their door staff trained to spot incidents. Along with this, they have also created a first-aid room to help with any incidents that may have taken place, including spiking. 256 have also put body cameras on the door staff and upgraded their CCTV cameras. Additionally, 256 has started to perform daily searches, whilst keeping a record of any contraband they find. Ifield added, “While it may seem a bit harsh I think it’s what’s needed at the moment.” This goes along with their “strict no drug policy.” He said that anyone caught with drugs will be held accountable, and the police would be immediately called to arrest them. This policy is enforced not just on guests, but staff as well. Student-only nights will also have these searches, and anyone who refuses to be searched, would not be allowed in. When asked why the focus on students, Ifield replied saying: “On the nights we’ve had spiking

issues … they were student-only events [...] Now it seems it’s students spiking students.” The 256 management are trying to understand this shift in trend, even saying that they have had two meetings in the past month with the GMP on why this could be the case however, they have no answers yet. Ifield also commented: “This year feels different.” Along with

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“Now it seems it’s students spiking students.” - Keith Ifield this, 256 believe that they need to “protect their customers better.” As a result, they are introducing wristbands where people can write their emergency contact details. Ifield knows that not everyone would like to wear one, however, he said: “If it helps one person, it’s been a success for me.” He believes that this is an important step

that they are taking to protect their customers. Along with this, 256 are also introducing drug testing kits, which would be available at all times and free of charge. Ifield has also had conversations with the GMP, however, they get the idea that the GMP haven’t got a lot of answers. 256 have sent in some of their own security in “plainclothes” to be in with the crowd in the bar. In case these security guards find any suspicious behaviour they would pull out their badge and show the person out. 256 have also asked the GMP to help them with undercover cops, however, this hasn’t happened yet. Ifield believes that the GMP does not cover Fallowfield to the extent that they should. He mentioned that 256 is the only “family-owned” business in Fallowfield, hence they get targeted a lot. However, He believes that other establishments around them should be doing more when protecting their customers. This includes having training that is not just online. 256 have also partnered up with other safety campaigns and have asked them to train their staff when it comes to drink spiking and customer safety. Stating: “we’re constantly thinking and trying

to come up with new ways [to stay safe]. As long as companies are prepared to invest in the customer, I think long in the long term they’ll get it back.” Ifield also mentions that they have a 9-year-old daughter, hence they see this as a “personal issue” as well. He states: “It’s kind of good in a way that I’m not just a manager, but I see it from a father’s perspective.” He mentioned that women have absolutely no blame for this, however, they wish to provide women with tools to protect themselves. This includes measures like their app sending a push notification after a customer leaves saying, “make sure you get home safe. If you feel unsafe, come and see a member of staff.” 256’s management also said that every one of their emails has always asked people to let them know of ways to tackle spiking, saying that they would like to know if they have not thought of policies that their customers might have. Ifield believes that in this way they could have the whole community work together, cooperating with each other and ensuring utmost safety. He said: “Everyone needs to understand that this is a serious, serious issue and we have to be on top of it.”

Sam Bronheim @ Canva

News 7

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

What are Manchester bars doing to combat spiking? The Great Central

he Great Central is right next to the student campus, while the majority of their guests are not students, they still receive a large student crowd. No spiking report has been made public in this Wetherspoons as of yet, however, we still believed it important to interview them as they are such a large chain of bars and have a bar so close to the student campus. They said that they provide online training to their bar staff on how to deal with spikings. They have a zero drug-tolerance policy, and any staff member caught with drugs, regardless of use, will be immediately fired. In case of spikings, they have said that they would order a taxi and find the friends of the person who has been spiked. If need be, they would also call for an ambulance. They would use the “Ask for Angela” policy put forth by the MET, to call the police to the bars. The customers are allowed to leave their drinks behind the bar, or take them to the loo and even outside, in an attempt to reduce pressure on leaving them unattended. However, Wetherspoons will not be providing cling film, as they want to reduce their use of plastics.

Squirrels

ocated in Oak House, Squirrels is a student-only bar. Customers are only admitted with a student ID after bags have been searched - a standard practice now with most UoM bars The bar’s UoM’s spokesperson stated: “We are working with various agencies including student partners and Greater Manchester Police as part of the Sexual Violence Action Network for Students on this issue.” Again, customer safety is a priority, with anti-spiking devices for bottles soon to become available at the bar. Staff are trained to handle and respond to spiking and any vulnerable customers. The spokesperson added the staff also work closely with UoM’s ResLife and security team, and encourage students to contact security immediately if they’ve been spiked or need support. This can be done via the SafeZone app, or by calling the number on the back of all UoM student cards. The same goes for Whitworth Park residents at The Grove, who are run by the same organisation.

Revolutions

evolution’s Oxford Road bar and nightclub in Deansgate Locks are often populated by students and in recent months they have received complaints of drink spiking within their premises. We approached the management of Revolution, and they confirmed to us that they are ensuring that their team is fully trained and licensed door staff would be checking their customers. They have stated, “We enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy to abusive behaviour and have CCTV coverage throughout our bars.” Along with this, their own-ground staff would be removing unattended drinks and have training in identifying and supporting “vulnerable guests.” The bars would also be handing out free foil to cover drinks when requested by customers.

Studio Bar

p the road from The Great Central, and next door to 256, Studio is another popular bar in Fallowfield by students and locals alike. When speaking with the manager, it was made clear all staff are trained to “Both recognise and deal with the signs,” of spiking and harassment. Throughout the night, the bar’s bouncers and glass collectors (who are also trained) act as extra eyes to ensure all customers are safe. After some personal research done by the manager, The Studio has joined Wetherspoons in adopting the “Ask for Angela”, placing this information in every toilet, regardless of gender. Across the UK however, there’s a long wait for lids, with The Studio Bar being no exception. Male customers are also likely to be searched at the door due to men often being the perpetrators of spiking incidents. The bar commented that they would not be comfortable having male door staff ‘frisk’ female customers. During the interview, Studio’s manager placed a strong emphasis on not putting the blame on women, but instead “Putting as much information out there,” If someone believes their drinks been spiked, the bar will immediately replace it free of charge (if requested by the customer) or stay with the customer, making sure they remain safe and receive aid.

8 Sport

ISSUE 4/ 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Opinion: Gender based violence is a worrying trend in sport Domestic violence, sexual abuse, online trolling - the endemic problem of gender violence in sport Adam Pogrund Sports Writer

n recent years there has been an increased focus on women’s safety, especially after the tragic Sarah Everard case and the distressing number of women reporting being spiked in nightclubs. These awful incidents reflect society as a whole, and as such filter into sport. All across the globe gender based abuse occurs from those participating and watching sport, and it urgently needs to be eradicated. Studies have revealed there is a grim correlation between those watching sports and increased domestic violence, regardless of the result. A study from Lancaster University looking at this trend during England matches at three World Cups revealed that domestic abuse reports to the police in the north-west of the country increased by 26% when England won or drew, and by 38% when the team lost. This is not just a problem seen in the UK. Researchers found men were 10% more likely to commit violence against their female partners if their team lost an NFL match. In New South Wales, there is a 40.7% increase in domestic assaults when New South Wales Blues are competing in the State of Origin series. Another shocking statistic sees a 15% increase in domestic abuse cases in Calgary when Calgary Stampeders competed against their rivals Edmonton Elks. When the Stampeders competed in the Grey Cup final there was a 40% increase. According to Dr Melanie Pescud, one reason these

Photos (left to right): James Boyes @Wikimedia Commons x2, Agência Brasil Fotografias @Wikimedia Commons and Xinhua News Agency. Collage by The Mancunion

depressing statistics are linked to watching sport is that it can lead to “a volatile mix of alcohol (and sometimes drugs), gambling, toxic masculinity, heightened emotions, tribalism and competition.” Violence against women is not just limited to spectators. Gender based discrimination and violence is rife throughout the sport industry and it has often been committed by elite athletes and coaches. The most high profile case in recent times involved Larry Nassar, the former team doctor of the USA women’s gymnastic team. He has been convicted of sexual abuse of hundreds of gymnasts, including young children. The most decorated gymnast of all time, Simone Biles, has even considered permanently quitting gymnastics due to ongoing trauma from his abuse. Professional wrestling is also a sport plagued with gender-based violence, with countless wrestlers who have been accused or convicted of domestic assault and other claims. Steve Austin, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential wrestlers of all time, has a string of violence accusations against a number of his partners. Wrestling in the UK is described by Alex Davies Jones as being “tainted with its harrowing stories of emotional and sexual abuse.” It was so bad that it led to the Speaking Out movement gaining traction in 2020. It focused on trying to remove physical, mental and sexual abuse from the sport. These abuses are horrifying, but arguably pale in comparison to the experiences of the Afghan junior women’s football team. As a result of nothing but

their gender, they have been forced to flee from the Taliban and their homes, with the UK taking in the 35 refugees and their families. Limited action has been taken to reduce the abuse women receive in sport by those in power. The International Working Group on Women and Sport found that 37% of organisations they requested to take action had done nothing 5 years later. They had called on 158 organisations who had signed the Brighton Declaration of Women and Sport to improve on creating a “safe environment” for women in sport. Almost a quarter of these organisations that took no measures claimed gender based violence was “not an issue” for them. For women and girls who are the victims of abuse it is often hugely challenging to speak out. Often the abuser will be in a position of power, such as a coach or doctor. This is evidenced by the serious underreporting of abuse. Athletes will not want their position in the team jeopardised and there can be an uncomfortable power dynamic with the abuser in a more senior position. Dr Melanie Lang argues that elite athletes are more wary of reporting mistreatment because “they have more to lose”. If it could potentially compromise their livelihoods then it will discourage sportswomen from revealing their experiences. This helps explain how situations arise such as with Larry Nassar, where he could abuse girls for decades without being publicly outed. Ultimately the abuse which women receive in sport is the same seen in society as a whole. Most sports are still very male dominated and especially the leadership

positions. One needs to look no further than at the social media comments directed towards female pundits such as Alex Scott or Eniola Aluko to see the sexism women face. Even positive steps such as the inclusion of female commentators can elicit such anger from certain sections of society. It is a sad state of affairs that sport is not free from gender based violence. The beauty of sport is that it can help distract you from the rest of life’s problems, not contribute to it. It begs the question of what can be done to stop abuse? It is challenging as much of the violence and wrongdoings happen behind closed doors, or ironically in the ‘safety’ of one’s home. Campaigns reminding fans to take a moment to cool down and to not misplace their anger after a poor result could be helpful. Specific helplines for women and codewords they can use if they feel threatened would be another option. Completely shunning offenders is essential. This is something which has not occurred enough in the past. Ryan Giggs has been charged with assaulting his partner, and coercive and controlling behaviour towards her. Despite this, he is still the manager of the Welsh national team, and it has done little to tarnish the adoration he receives from Manchester United fans, and the legendary status he maintains at Old Trafford. These steps amongst others would be necessary in creating a more safe environment for women in the sphere of sport. Although fundamentally, it is those committing abuse who should bear the responsibility of reducing it.

Opinion

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

BOYCOTTING CLUBS ISN’T ENOUGH TO STOP SPIKING: Here’s what needs to be done What needs to be done to make a missed night out worthwhile: this article was written prior to the ‘Manchester Night In’ club boycott. Libby Elliott Opinion Writer

on’t get me wrong, boycotts are one of the most powerful ways we can enact change as consumers today. Not only that, but they’re empowering to engage in. I remember when ‘Ben and Jerry’s’ refused to sell their ice cream in illegal Israeli settlements. I thought, wow, somebody’s finally responding to Israel with an appropriate and economically devastating action. However, I believe that boycotting clubs is not quite as fitting a response to the spiking crisis. Having worked in a city nightclub myself, most of these places are very good at making up for a one-night loss. Deals on shots and deals on doubles. Not to mention how much they’re upcharging you for those Jägerbombs. Essentially, an economic boycott on a Wednesday especially with Halloween weekend coming right after - isn’t really going to hit clubs as harshly as we have all been made to believe on Instagram. Not that this isn’t important to engage with. It’s great to see fellow students taking this crisis seriously. Being willing to boycott Wednesday night sports socials is certainly a step in the right direction. But there are more effective, and even easier, ways to demand change from our local clubs. We’re all very used to opening our Instagram and being instantly comforted by how socially aware all our peers are. The infographics are everywhere. I know I often turn off my phone, satisfied and comforted with how socially conscious we all are. I completely forget the whole internet isn’t seeing the story on spiking I’ve just seen. I’d argue that managers of clubs, bouncers and non-student bar staff probably have no

idea that there is currently so much student discourse on spiking. For that reason, most clubs will take a minor profit hit on Wednesday without even knowing it had anything to do with spiking. Managers will just think they had a bit of an anomalous Wednesday. Hence I think it’s so important, if people have the time and are able, to directly communicate with local club managers. From my experience in the club industry, I really do think managers will be more affected by a stream of emails and calls demanding a response to the spiking crisis, than a fluke Wednesday night. Many big city nightclubs - like Manchester’s ‘Factory’ - have a lost property email, a job enquiries email and a general one. They almost always have a number. I think a more appropriate response, to really force club managers to engage with us, would be to consistently bother them through these channels. Email them saying they are losing your business on the 27th of October and won’t be getting it back. Not until they put concrete plans into place to reduce spiking. This doesn’t have to be the case, by all means still go clubbing. But you’re much more likely to get a response. This way, we are not only taking up their time, but genuinely forcing them to sit down and think: What are the most effective ways to reduce spiking? Am I employing the right security staff to handle this crisis? How can I ensure people feel safe in my club? Similarly, contacting your local MP is another important step I believe we should all take. Some of the solutions to spiking that have been suggested, such as increased searching powers for bouncers, actually might have negative repercussions. Increased searching powers disproportionately affect black men, as we have learnt from the discourse surrounding

BLM and defunding the police. And, given the Sarah Everard tragedy, many vulnerable women no longer feel safe around the police or other such institutions of authority. So that’s roughly about 54% of the UK population who can’t trust official law enforcement already. It will take a lot of thinking and trialling new methods to solve the spiking crisis. And ultimately, finding these solutions is the job of our policy-makers. Not only are they legally required to respond to any email you send them; but having this debated in Parliament could lead to professionals being consulted at the highest level on what the best solutions could be. It is also important to raise with our MPs how unreliable transport home is for women, and vulnerable men, as of late. Ubers are no longer safe or certain. While it is a privilege to be able to call an Uber home from a night out, I believe as many constant and dependable methods of getting home need to be available for women and non-binary people to feel safer. The profit that clubs will make over the weekend, with Halloween on Sunday, will probably be huge. Ask your local clubs – Factory, 42s, Hidden, 256 – what they are going to do to make students feel safer. Drink lids are not enough with the rising cases of needles being used to spike people. Ask them to employ medics onsite. Make sure spiked people get home safe, and free of charge, with a friend, policewoman or trusted member of staff accompanying them. Most importantly, train bar staff and bouncers to believe those who see suspicious activity or feel as though they have been spiked. Countless times, intoxicated women, non-binary people and men are kicked out for arguing with bouncers, without their coat, only to be left vulnerable on the street. Just as the spiker would’ve intended.

BURNHAM AND LORD BACK BOYCOTT A

ndy Burnham and Sacha Lord commit to an anti-spiking partnership to tackle the current rise in drink spiking The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham has announced that he, alongside Sacha Lord, the nighttime economy advisor, will be rolling out an anti-spiking partnership, the aim being to implement “anti-spiking tests across the major venues. Police and key Community Safety Partners will also be asked to attend.” This decision came after multiple meetings with the organisers of the Manchester Night In which was part of the wider ‘Girls Night In’ nightclub boycott. As a result of this partnership, the GMCA would push to have drug testing kits in all major establishments in Manchester. The kits can be accessed by anyone for a cost of £2 and can detect up to 7 drugs that are known to be used in spiking drinks. They would also be extending Safe Havens and Village Angles to provide support and ensure the welfare of citizens in Manchester. Safe Haven is a scheme that provides mental health support for stress and trauma, while Village Angles are a volunteer-based scheme that operates in the Gay Village on Canal Street to provide regular support. Ask Angela, a scheme that was organised by the MET, through

which customers can ask for staff or police help discreetly, is also looking to be expanded to provide more accessible support for those in need.

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The kits can be accessed by anyone for a cost of £2 and can detect up to 7 drugs that are known to be used in spiking drinks.

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Shikhar Talwar Deputy News Editor

Andy Burnham has consistently maintained the stance that the crisis we find ourselves in is something that men and boys alike must fix. He told BBC Radio Manchester: “This one’s for the men, this one’s for the boys: get a grip, sought this out, don’t tolerate it. You know we’ve all got moms we’ve all got sisters we’ve all got daughters. This is on us this one, not on women, this is on us…” This stance goes hand-in-hand with the GMCA’s ‘Gender-Based Violence Strategy,’ which was launched in September. This strategy is the GMCA’s attempt to try and understand the stance of women and the depths to which gender-based violence goes in Manchester. They would also be using this information to

try and understand how best to tackle the issue. Hence, on talking to the Manchester Night In team, led by the executive officers from the University of Manchester Students’ Union, Andy Burnham and Sacha Lord would be using and expanding this scheme to tackle the gender-based aspect to the rise in drink spiking. In a reaction to this meeting, the SU execs told The Mancunion: “Andy and Sacha have committed to setting up an Anti-Spiking Partnership for the city-region, where GMCA will partner with major venues to roll out antispiking tests which can detect seven different types of drugs and be used as evidence in court. The support that Andy and Sacha have shown for the campaign is promising, and we will be having another meeting next week to discuss progress so far. We are hopeful that some tangible changes will come as a result of these meetings, but still remain to be convinced until they are in place.” Furthermore, Andy Burnham gave a comment on the GMCA website saying: “I want to thank the members of the Manchester Night In the campaign for meeting with us. I saw the numbers of people participating in the protest and we are committed to taking tangible action.” The GMCA also have a victim support helpline and encourages people to call it. The number of the helpline is: 0300 303 0162.

OPINION:

10 Opinions

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Prevent the Cause & Stop Blaming Victims How advice on drink spiking has resulted in victim-blaming Alice Shakeshaft Opinions Writer With the recent rise in drink spiking, both nationally and in the local Manchester area, the current published advice provides an insight into the culture surrounding it. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told people to “be aware of what you consume and never take a drink that hasn’t been made in front of you”. They went on to advise people to “never leave your drink unattended, even for a moment”. Whilst at first sight this advice seems like it is intended to protect people, there is a more sinister reality surrounding it. Advice like this almost entirely focuses on what the victim should have done to avoid spiking. It is a placement of responsibility which has resulted in a very dangerous rhetoric, one which potentially blames victims for what happened to them. The GMP’s advice is not an anomaly, but just one example of how we are told to act on nights out. They tell us to never walk home alone, to call someone letting them know where we are, to dress in a certain way, to not get too drunk, to watch our drink being made, to cover our drink, to be careful around strangers. The list is countless. Yet even if we follow every single piece of advice, we’re still not safe. Even then, we are still blamed when something happens. When women are attacked or assaulted, people begin to ask what they did wrong and what advice they failed to follow rather than asking how we, as a society, should create change to prevent this. We need drastic change. People should have the freedom to live their

life without a constant fear hanging over their heads. We shouldn’t be in this position where we must worry about someone spiking our drinks, where we need to constantly worry about whether we or our friends will get home safe. A night out should not be a matter of life or death. Countless incidences of drink spiking have been reported in ‘Manchester Student Group’ (MSG) on Facebook . Each one of them is as horrifying and scary as the next. This has resulted in a rise of posts advising people which places are safe to go to and telling them which ones to avoid. Whilst this information is useful, it is disappointing that it is our responsibility to avoid nights out just out of fear of being spiked. With the list of establishments growing, surely it will reach the stage where nowhere is safe.

“

After all, is it so much to ask that we can go on nights out without fear? We need pubs and clubs to begin to take people’s safety seriously. There have been instances of spiking victims getting kicked out of clubs for seeming too drunk, or being offered very little help by staff. How can we trust these establishments to protect us when they remain ignorant to the issue at hand? What’s even more disturbing is that with the rise of spiking, a cost has been placed on protection. Some bars, such as 256 , have begun to supply free covers for drinks, yet there have been reports of venues charging people for drink spiking test

kits. There has also been an increase of anti-spiking products - such as the ‘Spiking Prevention Scrunchie’ that doubles as a drink’s cover - that profit from people’s fears. It is alarming to see a quicker consumerist response to the spiking issue than an institutional one which is yet to take action to protect us. In fact, it was left to the victims themselves to tackle the rise in drink spiking and assaults as the “Girls Night In campaign” was launched across the country. On the 27th October, hundreds of people went out in protest in Manchester and boycotted nightclubs, with Girls Night In Manchester stating on their Instagram page that “we will use the boycott to demand that Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester Combined Authority as well as club owners take spiking and sexual assault more seriously by taking tangible measures such as funding anti-spiking devices in all clubs and bars, a Good Night Out Scheme, and an awareness campaign targeted at men.” The campaign was successful in bringing one of the biggest issues of student life to the national media’s attention, and it prompted responses from clubs and bars all over the UK - including The Warehouse Project founder Sacha Lord. However, it did feel like a bit of a kick in the teeth that we had to stay in in order to simply feel safe going out. It’s time that the government and Manchester City Council took action themselves to tackle the spiking epidemic. It shouldn’t be our lifestyles that have to change, but legislation and club policies. The responsibility shouldn’t be placed on us, but those with the power to make a difference. After all, is it so much to ask that we can go on nights out without fear?

Features

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS MUST BE ADDRESSED New report into rape culture on campus suggests how UoM can make students safer Serena Jemmett Features Writer In this article I refer to ‘women’, as this report predominately focuses on women, however we acknowledge that trans and non-binary people also are disproportionately affected by rape culture and sexual violence. Some women were also not assigned female at birth, so the experiences we face are not exclusively shaped by our sex, but by gendered norms.

he University of Manchester’s Sexual Violence report consists of the findings from a survey conducted by Resist Rape Culture in May-July 2021. Resist Rape Culture is a campaign group within the University of Manchester (UoM) with the aim of tackling rape culture and sexual violence, and for improving the reporting system and support for survivors. This article lays out what Resist Rape Culture’s aims are; the motivations behind and key findings of the report; and the upcoming Greater Manchester Sexual Violence Awareness Week. If you want to read the full report, it can be found on the mancunion website, but please be mindful of the sensitive and possibly triggering content. Resist Rape Culture was created to address rape culture from the roots. I wanted to raise awareness about the fact that those who harass and assault are not just ‘creepy men’ in nightclubs but are actually often our peers. Rather than focusing on why women do not report, or why women do not do the hundreds of things we are told to do to avoid being harassed or assaulted, we must look deeper down at educating men and boys to respect women and what is appropriate and what is not. Resist Rape Culture created an infographic showing the stages of a rape culture: victimisation, degradation,

removal of autonomy, and explicit violence. All of these are part and further add to the societal rape culture than we unfortunately have to live in. We often distance the accused, alleged, and perpetrators from victims by thinking of them as strangers, bu this is problematic as it leaves a huge gap in effectively dealing with the problem of the epidemic of violence against women. More than 90% of rapes are committed by someone the victim already knew. This is the reasoning behind the survey that we carried out: to prove to the university that sexual violence exists on campus, that it is prevalent, and that it must be addressed and dealt with urgently. Some extremely concerning statistics from the report are as follows: 82% of respondents said they knew what rape culture is. 78% said they had experienced unwanted attention or sexual assault. 53% of students do not feel safe from sexual assault. 74% said they did not know how to report. 62% said they would use security more if there were women security guards. 3% said UoM had a good survivor support system. We also collected 204 testimonies from students detailing situations where they have been harassed, assaulted, or raped. This gave us anecdotal evidence for the high prevalence of experiences like this, and also gave us insight into key locations where the incidents occurred – parks, public transport, campus, and bars/nightclubs. The findings not only justify our demands, but also have inspired our 11 key recommendations for the university. These are: Compulsory consent classes for all students regardless of entry level, and education and awareness on rape culture and sexual violence;

Training for students on how to report using the University system; A clear, easy-to-use reporting system which is both anonymous and confidential; Training on how to be an active bystander and what to do if witnessing harassment or assault; Harsher consequences for perpetrators of sexual violence, with a zero-tolerance approach; A 24-hour safeguarding and mental health team/officer on campus; More street lighting around campus, especially Fallowfield; More women security guards; Clear access to support and more support for students, along with making students aware of the sexual violence response team; Nightclub representatives and a bouncer union to join or have close relations to Sexual Violence Action Network for Students (SVANS); Training for the Students’ Union officers in taking reports of assault.

Each of these have been justified within the report. You can read the justifications from page 15-17. Samantha Stewart, Advice and Response Manager (Safeguarding, Gender-based Violence & Hate) from the University of Manchester, responded to the findings of the report. She said: “The University have worked closely with Resist Rape Culture as the survey was developed and are keen to take student feedback on board when reviewing how they work to tackle harassment and sexual misconduct. They will be releasing a report outlining the priority actions for the coming year on the 10th November, which will include taking action on the new RRC recommendations.” The UoM Students’ Union were sent the report on Monday 18th October, and were asked for a statement multiple times, but have not responded. The Greater Manchester Sexual Violence Awareness

Week is the 8-14th November. On November 10th there is a panel event titled “How the University of Manchester is tackling Sexual Violence”. This will feature a keynote from myself about the report and Samantha Stewart on the university’s response and their own report, followed by a panel with Spencer Davis (UoM Head of Advice and Response), Melody Stephen (UoM Students’ Union General Secretary), and Becky Williams (North West Rape Centre). If you would like to attend you can get tickets here. There is also an exhibition which will involve a variety of media, intended to provoke thoughts, feelings, and actions within its visitors and allowing the public into the centre of what women and other marginalised genders experience on a day to day. Due to the nature of the content of this exhibit, warning signs and messages will be used frequently outside of and during the exhibit, so that all visitors are entering whilst fully informed of the content included. We will also ensure multiple ‘exit points’ to allow someone to leave the space as needed, and either a physical presence or the use of contact numbers to maintain easy access to support. If you feel passionate to get involved in campaigning against rape culture and tackling sexual violence you can join us at Resist Rape Culture. We are specifically looking to diversify our group even more. Follow us on Instagram @resistrapeculture, where we will advertise our next meetings, and direct message us to get added to the WhatsApp group. Anyone and everyone is welcome, regardless of how you identify.

You can contact Greater Manchester Rape Crisis helpline on 01612734500.

78% of responders have experienced sexual assualt

53% of do not feel safe from sexual assualt

74% of responders have experienced sexual assualt

12 Science & Tech

ISSUE 4/ 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

What does spiking do to your body? Emma Hattersley Science Editor

f you’ve consumed drugs placed in your drink, or have been injected with drugs, you may display some of the symptoms below. These effects may continue until the next morning. In particular, you may feel disoriented and confused after you’ve woken up. Symptoms may vary depending on the substances used, the dose given, your size or weight, and

Spiking by injection Reliable statistics about the drugs being used for spiking by injection are not yet available, but they are likely to be slightly different to those used for drink spiking. For example, Guy Jones, a senior scientist at the Loop, a drugs charity, told VICE News that it is unlikely that GHB could be used, as a very large volume of liquid would need to be used to effectively drug someone. “This means that the substance involved would be something that would be highly detectable for several days in a toxicology screening such as a benzodiazepine.” A major concern relating to this method of spiking is the risks associated with being injected with a dirty needle. If you believe you’ve been spiked by injection, it’s recommended that you

how much alcohol you’ve already consumed. Most drugs leave the body after 72 hours, but GHB leaves the body after about 12 hours. This is why it’s important to get tested quickly if you believe you have been spiked and think you may want to press charges. Some of these symptoms mimic the effects of alcohol, which is why some people never realise they’ve been spiked. In general, if you’ve had the same amount of alcohol as usual, but feel much worse than you normally would, it is possible you’ve been spiked.

attend A&E, where you’ll be offered: • Antibiotic treatment if there is an infection of your skin. • Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, a drug that reduces the risk of HIV post-exposure. PEP must be consumed within 72 hours of exposure but is most effective within the first 24 hours. • Vaccination against Hepatitis B. • Testing for Hepatitis C: there is no post-exposure/ preventative medication available for hepatitis C. However, Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) tablets can cure over 90% of those infected. It’s worth noting that these risks have been exaggerated on social media in recent months – check out our article on the misinformation surrounding HIV infection for more details.

HIV infection from needle attacks: How likely is it? Which rumours can be diffused and which demand more clarity? Dan Bivol Science Writer

ollowing the worrying rise in spiking via needle transmission, incidences of alleged HIV infection have also surfaced. With much of people’s perception stemming from misguided rumours, it is important to clarify what the science says about HIV transmission. According to the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), the most common route of infection is sexual intercourse, not needles. For infection via injection to occur, the needle must first contain the virus. Then, it needs to successfully find its way into the bloodstream where it can target CD4 immune cells for self-replication. With only 0.15% of the UK population currently living with HIV, chances of cross-infection via spiking needle attacks are highly unlikely. The more plausible explanation, in this case, would be that each needle both contained the drug and HIV-contaminated blood beforehand. But even in a freak event where the needles were indeed contaminated, the likelihood of infection remains low. Needles only begin to pose a real threat to groups often exposed to needle use,

such as intravenous drug users, when the prevalence of HIV is also high. Additionally, a distinction is to be made between sharing needles intravenously and a needle prick where no blood vessels are punctured. The National Aids Trust issued an official statement clarifying that “the risk from needles is low” because “HIV is a fragile virus that cannot survive outside the body for a long period”. If anything, HIV scares come to show that to this day the virus is widely misunderstood as a disease, and methods of infection are still lacking in clarity. Organisations like the National Aids Trust aim to help provide reliable information on HIV and is a good starting point for HIV-related questions. What’s most important to remember though, is that in the unlikely event you or someone you know has been infected with HIV, it does not mean tragedy like it once used to. With today’s treatments and medicine, people with HIV can live almost entirely normal lives. And the research is in no way done, with new treatments emerging every year. In fact, we’ve never been closer to a permanent cure. If you believe that you may have been exposed to HIV, prophylactic treatment within 72 hours of exposure is offered at any sexual health clinic or hospital AnE department.

Science & Tech 13

ISSUE 4 / 15th November WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Spiking testing kitswhich ones are available and (how) do they work?

ll Read fu article online!

Testing strips ‘Check Your Drink’ is one example of a British company that sells small test strips. These detect minimal standard doses of ketamine and GHB. The user drops a small amount of liquid using their finger, a stirrer, or a straw on the testing patch, which turn either red or blue if drugs are present.

Testing wristbands Testing wristbands are similar to testing strips, but come in the form of the wristband, which could help solve the problem of testing kits being another thing to carry around on a night out. An example are the wristbands made by German company ‘Xantus’, who ship to the UK (though this incurs high shipping costs). These wristbands only test for GHB, and contain two testing patches per wristband. If two minutes after dabbing some of your drink on a patch, it turns blue, the drink probably contains GHB. ‘Xantus’ claims their wristbands also act as a deterrent for potential perpetrators. Some have begun being given out or are available to purchase in British nightclubs.

Urine tests These ‘testing cassettes’ detect the presence of certain drugs in someone’s urine. It is worth noting this is unlikely to be useful in preventing spiking, but you can often access this form of testing for free if you choose to raise your case with the police. They may also soon be used by nightclubs across Manchester and the UK. Sacha Lord has recently announced that his club ‘The Warehouse Project’ will begin to offer on-site urine tests to anyone that believes they have been spiked. He said, “Our medics actually bought kits last week … it’s a little like a pregnancy kit, if I’m being honest. You can take a urine sample and tell exactly what is in that.”

The SipChip This is a small, coin-sized disk that tests for Flunitrazepam (“Roofies”), Alprazolam (Xanax), Diazepam (Valium), Midazolam (Versed), Oxazepam (Serax) and Temazepam (Restoril), six common spiking drugs. If after dropping one drop of liquid on the test, one line appears, your drink has been spiked. If two lines appear, the drink is likely free of these drugs. Barbara Cook, the CEO, claimed that “The SipChip will detect drugs at levels at, or below, the dose a person would feel any physiological effects. SipChip has achieved over 99% in the more than 12,000 devices tested. In the future, we fully intend on incorporating other classes of drugs into the SipChip.”

In 2016, a post went viral that suggested a nail varnish had been developed by a group of students that changed colour when dipped in a drink that contained some drugs commonly used in spiking.

uster! Myth b rnish Nail va rs? teste

This post wasn’t entirely false. A group of four engineering students from North Carolina State University had indeed come up with this idea, and it began to undergo laboratory testing in 2014. The students formed the company ‘Undercover Colours’ to develop the product further, and began to attract investment. However, after using up $1.8 million dollars attempting to further the idea, they changed tack and developed the SipChip. Content: Emma Hattersley, Infographic: Sam Bronheim

14 Investigations

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

ARE YOU

ENOUGH?

The Mancunion investigates increased reports that clubbers have been turned away from G-A-Y on Canal Street for not appearing ‘gay enough’ Erin Barnett Investigations Reporter

or many years Manchester’s ‘Gay Village’ has been considered an iconic night out, with its safe spaces and inclusive atmosphere, open for anyone regardless of sexuality and gender. However, with the recent reports of bouncers allegedly refusing people entry to the venue, based on an assessment that they do not seem ‘gay enough’, could this be coming to an end? Personal accounts have been circulating, that the central night club of Manchester’s Canal Street, G-A-Y, has been discriminating against people based upon their appearance. An investigation by The Mancunion has revealed several reviews, social media posts, and personal accounts ranging back to 2014 of the club’s door staff judging potential patrons on whether they are ‘gay enough’ to enter the club. The question of whether gay bars should be reserved for the LGBTQI+ community alone, is a highly debated topic. While some clubbers and bar owners feel that this preserves a relaxing, safe and positive environment for people, away from the straight gaze. Others believe that LGBTQI+ spaces should be welcoming to all people as a place for them to simply be themselves. The unfortunate impact of a zealous door policy, it seems, is that it can occasionally backfire, and cause even gay people to feel unwelcome in their own spaces, simply because they do not fit a particular normative perception of what ‘gayness’ is. Despite incidents noticeably increasing in the past 8-10 weeks, a short scroll through TripAdvisor immediately reveals that reports, such as these, of discrimination based on how people look have been going on as far back as June 2019. One person posted that they and their girlfriend, who refer to themselves as “femme lesbians”, were reportedly denied entry into G-A-Y and were told to “just f*** off” when they attempted to contest the opinion of the bouncer at the time. They believe that this was because they looked “not … gay enough” due to being ‘straight passing’. There are other accusations like this. One TripAdvisor user more recently, in August 2021, alleges that when her and three other friends

tried to enter G-A-Y (two men and one other woman) they were all initially refused by a female bouncer, but later just the men were told they could enter because the women were not ‘regulars.’ According to the review, neither were the men. Emily Green, a Manchester student, argued that by refusing to let those in the LGBTQ+ community “who [do not] fit into normative expectations” G-A-Y “undermines the whole point of LGBTQ+ spaces” by refusing people their right to express themselves in a safe space. Some responses to these personal accounts on social media have expressed the opinion that G-A-Y’s practices are ‘gatekeeping’. ‘Gatekeeping’ is described as the practice of restricting access, and obviously limiting, general access to something. Often meaning that certain people are omitted from the consumption of a certain product. By allegedly refusing the entry of those they presume to be ‘straight’ into the club, G-A-Y’s actions could be interpreted as ‘gatekeeping’. Yet, others argue that it is totally within the bouncer’s right to refuse people that they think may cause some sort of disturbance from entering the establishment. An ex-employee of G-A-Y told The Mancunion that the bouncers were given absolute discretion as to who they allowed to enter the club, understandably refusing to admit people who were drunk, high, found to be in possession of drugs, in large groups, typically of five or more, or not dressed within the confines of the dress code (though neither the club nor the website display one of those). He suggested that “it’s never been about being gay enough or anything,” but rather the idea of a safe space from the LGBTQ community has always been kept in mind. In response to a post about the accusations about G-A-Y on Facebook another user, questioned “what is the point in having gay bars at all if they become full of straight people?” - suggesting that the door staff of G-A-Y have “every right” to turn people away.

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What is the point of having gay bars at all if they become full of straight people?

It seems to be a common trend that people in groups of more than three may be more likely to be refused entry. However, this does not appear to be an official company policy and is never actually stated on the website or outside of the building. Those on both Facebook and TripAdvisor who have been turned away - possibly for attempting to enter as a large group - still express anger at the fact they have been refused entry to G-A-Y as a safe space, particularly as it appears many of them were members of the LGBTQ+ community themselves. Most of them express anger at not being given a solid reason as to why they haven’t been allowed to enter, many saying they had been told they were not ‘regulars’ or didn’t have a ‘membership card’ so were denied entry. However, there are some more worrying accounts of the treatment of clubbers by security staff. One person described how, upon attempting to enter G-A-Y, a bouncer stopped him and told

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Refusing to let those in the LGBTQ+ community “who [do not] fit into normative expectations” G-A-Y “undermines the whole point of LGBTQ+ spaces”

him he did not fit the demographic of the club because he was “not gay enough”. When questioning the bouncer, he was asked to ‘prove’ that he was gay by kissing a member of the same sex who was waiting in the queue. Distressed, he and his friends removed themselves from the situation. A past employee of another gay club in the area told The Mancunion that it was generally accepted in the Village that G-A-Y were highly selective about who they would and who they would not let into the club on any given night. Judgement based upon looks, whether it was to do with what ‘vibe’ they wanted to portray on one particular night or sexuality, was and still seems to be a common practice. A person who previously worked in the New Union, a pub beside G-A-Y describes how the practice was generally accepted by the community in the Gay Village. “It was common knowledge amongst the village. See, I worked in the bar next door, New Union, and basically, anyone that got turned away from G-A-Y for that reason, or they suspected that reason, they’d come to us, and we’d go of course you can come in

Investigations 15

ISSUE 4/ 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM because that’s silly.” They went on to say that “it was a weird thing where it kind of started out as a bit of a rumour, like milling around between everyone that worked there and then it was just sort of like almost weirdly common knowledge.” The former New Union employee told The Mancunion, that when a member of G-A-Y management was asked about their ‘policy’, he simply said, “yeah, that’s just what they do.” The former New Union bar staffer went on to say, “I mean, it’s not our [New Union] policy. We just let people in, and we have bouncers if anyone gets rowdy, but they say that they do that for security reasons, but then I don’t know it just always felt weird.” They suggested that G-A-Y’s ambiguous policies surrounding dress code and entry could be the cause of the confusion and the source of the alleged rumours. Elaborating, they suggested that “it’s awful because you’re basing your judgement of somebody based on what they look like. I mean people from different walks of life, with different sexualities, different genders, they look so vastly different. There are different ways of expression which are very personal to each person, their sexuality, and how they express it. So, for them to turn people away and also the fact that they don’t outline the rules makes the situation even worse.” The Mancunion spoke to another individual who has worked near G-A-Y on Canal Street for many years. When asked about the existence of a membership card, they responded that in G-A-Y London “for some events, you have to have a membership card. But in Manchester it’s different.” “For Manchester though I can’t say that I’ve ever come in contact with a membership card, but I can’t say for sure if they do or don’t. It’s a weird one because I’ve never been asked for one personally. There’s never been ads or anything like that for memberships so I would go so far as saying there isn’t one for the Manchester G-A-Y so that excuse is false.” In 2011, a tweet by the promoter of the venue Jeremy Joseph, raised some eyebrows. His post was in reaction to the prospect of a One Direction fan night was being held at the venue. Directing his tweet towards the band’s perceived, primarily straight, female fan base, Joseph said, ‘My birthday wish is for little girls to realise that G-A-Y is a lesbian and gay club so there’s only one direction and that’s no direction for them’. Adding in a later tweet ‘hoping the name G-A-Y, isn’t too Subtle??? It’s G-A-Y not Str8’. Upon further investigation it seems that the practices perpetuated by the club could come into direct contention with the rights

given to all people by the 2010 Equality Act. The Act protects those that are ‘of a particular sexual orientation’, these are described as those who have a sexual orientation towards ‘persons of the same sex; persons of the opposite sex; or persons of either sex’ from discrimination. Clearly protecting those who are of the LGBTQ community or heterosexual. In correspondence with the Equality Advisory Support Service, a group which advises upon potential violations of the 2010 Equality Act outside of a legal capacity, The Mancunion has been told that any bar or club which denies people entry based on their sexuality or perceived sexuality or is involved in ‘less favourable’ treatment to those of a particular sexuality, could be committing acts of ‘direct discrimination’. The Equality Advisory Support Service describe ‘direct discrimination’ as when ‘a person treats another person differently and worse than they treat, or would treat, others’. This is called being treated ‘less favourably’. If a person with a ‘protected characteristic of sexual orientation’ can prove a significant link between the way they have been treated and their sexuality, then ‘direct discrimination’ can be claimed in violation of the 2010 Equality Act. When contacted for comment on the personal accounts of those who were denied entry, a G-A-Y spokesperson responded with this: “We absolutely don’t turn anyone away for any of the reasons alleged during your investigation … I can guarantee that no one has ever, or would ever be, refused entry to G-A-Y Manchester on the grounds of race, age, gender, sexual orientation or religious belief. We create a safe space for anyone to come and be anything they want to be. We don’t judge or discriminate against anyone, and we don’t accept customers doing this either. We are at times selective about who we allow into the venue, but this is to protect the safe space that we have created and are so well known and respected for. Unfortunately, however, the G-A-Y brand, as well known and respected by many as it is, does seem to work against us. We have a huge light up sign above the entrance that says G-A-Y, so when we refuse someone for intoxication levels or because they exhibit a bad attitude with door staff, the go to assumption is they have been refused entry because they “aren’t gay enough” which is just ridiculous. In fact, in the last few weeks with all the new students in town, to whom we have been very welcoming, on most nights there very well may have been more straight people in here than gay

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people. We just don’t care. As long as you have a good attitude and are coming to have a good time and are respectful to our staff and the other customers enjoying the venue, you are more than welcome.”

There are different ways of expression which are very personal to each person, their sexuality

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I can guarantee that no one has ever, or would ever be, refused entry to G-A-Y Manchester on the grounds of race, age, gender, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Do you have a story? If you have any stories, data, tip-offs or issues that you think need to be investigated - we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our Investigations Editor at: investigations.mancunion@gmail.com

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YOU DON’T HAVE TO FACE THIS ALONE If you or anyone you know has been affected by the rise of spikings in Manchester, there is support out there for you. We’ve compiled a list of charities that you can seek help from and donate to, hotlines you can call and groups you can get involved in.

Resist Rape Culture @resistrapeculture

Student Angels Student Angels is a night-time street safety initiative, with teams of trained student volunteer leaders and support volunteers heading out into the Manchester University and Oxford Rd area at night over the weekend to support our student community. You can volunteer with the Student Angels through the Volunteer Hub. You’ll be able to help the Manchester student community with a variety of common problems, like being separated from their friends, having a phone battery die, needing a taxi calling, or requiring basic first aid.

A recently organised campaign, Resist Rape culture want students to be more proactive when it comes to the growing rape culture in Manchester. They want the university to have a zero sexual misconduct policy, and see improvements in the report system and support for survivors. As part of Sexual Violence Awareness Week, the group ran an interactive photo exhibition at the SU and a panel Q+A event. They’ve already have two meetings at the SU, so follow them on instagram and look out for the next one.

Girls Night In Manchester @girlsnightinmanc A recently organised campaign, Resist Rape culture wantAfter organising the Girls Night In in Manchester, the Exec Officers at the University of Manchester Student Union are in ongoing meetings with Andy Burnham and Sacha Lord to discuss the next steps in tackling the rise in spikings across the city. You can follow them on Instagram and get involved with supporting their work by signing their open letter.

LGBT Foundation In 2011, LGBT Foundation launched The Village Angels. These volunteers are found every Friday and Saturday night in the Gay Village from 9pm to 3am. The Angels help people to report crimes, respond to mental health crises, and help people who are alone and vulnerable to get home safely. The Village Angels will often be the first people on the scene when serious medical incidents occur and can provide basic first aid until paramedics arrive. LGBT Foundation also runs The Village Haven, a night time safe haven which runs from 11pm to 5am every Friday and Saturday night in the Village. This is a safe space for people who are vulnerable due to drugs or alcohol, people who are distressed, people who need to charge their phones or people who have lost their belongings and need to get in contact with someone. You can find them in the Beacon at 45 Bloom Street.

Trafford Rape Crisis

Helpline: 0800 783 4608 Helpline by BAME women: 0800 434 6484 Email: dorothytrc@hotmail.co.uk Email run by BAME women: dorothy.bme@hotmail.co.uk www.traffordrapecrisis.com Set up in 2010, Trafford Rape Crisis offers free and confidential services for women and girls through telephone helplines, email support and one to one counselling with specially traumatrained therapists. They also provide a hotline and email support service run by and for BAME women.

Crime Stoppers Helpline: 0800 555111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Crime Stoppers is an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up 100% anonymously and prevent crime.

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Victim Support

Helpline: 0330 303 0162 Out of hours supportline: 08 08 16 89 111 www.victimsupport.org.uk Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents. They provide emotional and practical help to support people to heal and recover so they can get their lives back on track. Their Independent Sexual Violence Advocates are specially trained advisors and caseworks and are supported by specialist volunteers. They can help you decide what action you want to take and guide you through the next steps in a way that feel right for you. Their helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am - 7pm, and Saturday 9am - 5pm. You can ring their out of hours support line at any time, or contact them through their live chat on their website.

Report and Support

www.reportandsupport.manchester.ac.uk

Sexual Violence Support www.sexualviolencesupport.co.uk

The aim of this website is to raise awareness of the support services available to victims of sexual violence and provide a digital directory of services. You can download a Manchester Survivor Support Pack which includes information about Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and SAFE Place Merseyside who can offer care and support, counselling and self-care, your reporting options and how you can support someone who is a survivor.

This is the university’s own programme, offering support for individuals who have experienced or witnessed sexual assault, sexual harassment, discrimination or hate crime. You have the option to either report anonymously or speak to an advisor to get the support you need.

Supportline

Helpline: 01708 765200 Email: info@supportline.org.uk www.supportline.org.uk Supportline runs a confidential helpline offering emotional support to anyone about any kind of issue. They also provide a specific support page for survivors of rape and sexual assault with advice on what to do next and how to help yourself heal going forward.

Survivors Manchester Helpline: 0808 800 5005 www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk

Survivors create and facilitate safe spaces for cisgender and transgender men and non-binary individals across Greater Manchester, providing access to support and advice. Their work focuses on self-empowerment to work through personal and painful issues, supported by their trauma-informed team. By ensuring each individual’s healing journey is driven by what is best for them, they allow survivors to take the steps required for a positive and healthy future.

Manchester Rape Crisis Helpline: 0161 273 4500 Email: help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk www.manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

A recently organised campaign, Resist Rape culture want studThis charity provides a confidential support service, run by and for women. Their telephone helpline service provides advice, information and support to women and girls, as well as information and advice to friends, partners and other family members. The helpline is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, and Wednesday and Thursday evenings 6pm to 9pm. They offer a support group, free face-to-face counselling service for women over 18, a student service for women enrolled at college, university or a training course in Manchester, and a South Asian women’s weekly support group to build confidence and develop peer support. They also run a Coffee Morning every second Monday of the month, meeting from 11am to 2:30pm at GMRC for coffee, cake, games, a chat and activities. This informal group does not talk about experiences but offers instead a distraction from them, and even organises a trip out of the city every year and a group meal in a local restaurant.

Artwork @ Mariam Hussain

Music

CULTURE

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CULTURE

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Music 21

Big places, tight spaces

with Pale Waves’ Heather Baron-Gracie We discuss her “gay awakening”, student experience, and the claustrophobia that came with touring Jay Mitra Music Writer

eather is donned in a leopard print hat and draped in silver chains, her smoky eyes sparkle at the recollection of Go Falafel. She’s sat across me on Zoom, her subdued swagger softly oozing through the screen – yes, even when she’s stirred by the memory of those deliciously deepfried chickpeas. Every time I’m in Manchester, I NEED to get Go Falafel. It’s so good, you just can’t beat it!” she gushes when discussing her favourite spots in Manchester. She also expresses a particular fondness for Night and Day café: “We actually rehearsed there for maybe a little under a year. They have a basement deep down, that’s kind of a little bit creepy - but it’s definitely a cute café.” Raised in Preston, Manchester was familiar to her way before her university experience at BIMM. It was in this city that she met her fellow bandmates of the Pale Waves. Later, the quartet would spawn into a pop-rock sensation. It’s strange to think a pop star in LA has the same experience of living in halls as the majority of Manchester’s student population. “It was awful”, she admits. “I felt like I was living in a prison, I felt like a prisoner. The room was the size of a coffin.” She goes on to say something that shocked even me, someone who stayed in UoM’s infamous Oak House. Heather states that the only window she had was a small one in her bedroom, which of course had the rather picturesque view of a concrete courtyard. Despite the questionable accommodation, her overall experience as a student is positive and she claims that Manchester helped shape her identity - an identity that had recently been revealed to include queerness. “At the start of my career, I was still figuring a lot out. I knew I was gay, but I wasn’t ready to publicly speak about it because I just wasn’t ready at that point. Still with so much self-discovery to do; I just didn’t feel strong enough to be like looked up to in that way, or to even engage in that.” With the help of her nonbinary bandmate and inspired the queer community within her fanbase, her acceptance of her identity as a “lesbian goth girl” has grown into something that slips into her everyday conversation. “I feel so much more confident,” she smiles. “I feel proud, like I don’t know, you can’t even shut me up about it really.” “It has brought the Pale Waves

community together even more. People like us for that reason, they find identity within themselves

because you know, we speak about our sexuality, and obviously Ciara’s non-binary too, which is absolutely incredible. They’re really expressive of their journey and I’m really proud of them.” As nice as the overwhelming support was, Heather is unsure of the necessity of praising someone for expressing their identity as part of the queer community. She says. “You don’t have to come out as straight. So, I don’t know, it’s just like, yeah let’s normalise it – and that’s what we intend to do.” It’s hard to talk about Heather’s queerness without mentioning Kelsey, her girlfriend, especially when she comes alight when talking about finding ‘true love’. “I felt like I could truly be myself. I feel like Kelsey out of anyone in my life, has seen the realest me. For everyone else, I feel like you have to put on a mask in a way which is frustrating, or you have to adapt somewhat to the person. Whereas Kelsey has seen my lowest point, my darkest point, just every single side, and has loved me through that, and that just made me fall even deeper in love with her. That’s what true love is – I don’t have to put on a mask.” Queerness is a pivotal theme in Pale Waves’ second studio album. Released in 2021, during a pandemic, Who Am I? is saturated with struggle, from a severed creative partnership between Heather and Pale Waves’ drummer Ciara Doran, to near-death scares, to songs sourced from hands slippery with hand sanitiser. Their upcoming album, however, makes a return to their collaborative, carefree roots as Ciara and Heather sew up their severed songwriting skills and stitch a creative collaboration stronger than ever before. “We’re writing together again which is really lovely - that was the base of Pale Waves. It was just on the second album [that] we had drastically different music tastes. However, it’s been like a full circle, now Ciara’s like ‘yeah that music is all I can listen to now and all I can write!’ so I’m so glad that they were able to come into that world more and really embrace it,” Heather explains.

Who Am I? is saturated with struggle, from a severed creative partnership between Heather and Pale Waves’ drummer Ciara Doran, to neardeath scares, to songs sourced from hands slippery with hand sanitiser.”

“It can feel quite lonely when you’re writing by yourself as there’s a lot of pressure on just you, when Ciara’s in the studio it’s a bit more light-hearted; it’s just more fun. I’m really glad we’ve almost gone back to our roots.” Speaking of roots, I ask her about the roots of her queer identity. Obviously there’s Megan Fox”, she says (after admitting to crushing on a girl at school too). The actress has been in the news recently, with her relationship with Machine Gun Kelly making headlines. “They’re quite a funny couple”, says Heather, stifling a laugh as she recalls the “I am weed” line that somehow seduced Megan Fox. Heather’s heart belongs to more than Jennifer’s Body actress though. When speaking about her fans, it’s easy to tell how much the Pale Waves community means to the vocalist. “Our fans really inspire me…I’m always reading about their journeys and their struggles; they’re so strong and independent, so true to themselves at such a young age. I really admire that and that inspires me a lot.” Though Pale Waves has millions of supportive fans, life in the spotlight is far from easy.

“I’m not that rockstar that can go out clubbing and take loads of drugs at like 8am – it’s just not me,” she says. She confesses that she actually finds solace in the simple beauty her life in LA currently has to offer: “I really love going to the beach, the ocean brings me so much peace and it’s so beautiful.” After years of touring and pandemic stress, it’s no surprise that the singer finds the seaside luxuries of Los Angeles appealing. “They think ‘oh it’s so easy and there’s so much luxury and you earn so much money’, and that’s really not the case. It’s actually so difficult and it exhausts you being on tour. We have to live on a little tin can tour bus with like thirteen other people. “You don’t wake up and can just go and make your coffee and sit on the couch or read your book. The band wake up and have to drag their suitcase out and lift it up five flights of steps and wait for a turn in the dressing room’s tiny bathroom. It’s not as glamorous as it seems.” When we tour again, I’m going to approach it differently. I have to just go out by myself and just escape in moments because when you do that for years like I did, you start to go stir crazy.” Career-wise, Heather admits that one of the best decisions she made was coming to LA and collaborating with other songwriters. She stresses the importance of “allowing other people to assist you.” “Everyone needs help at the end of the day and sometimes when you try and do it all by yourself, it’s not really the best outcome I feel.” On the topic of the world career decisions she’s made, Heather admits to previously having an issue with recognising her limits when it came to alcohol. “Sometimes when I get too drunk on stage and I walk on, I’m like I can’t even speak straight, I’m slurring – I shouldn’t have done this!” Luckily for Pale Waves, this has now become a problem of the past. “I have stopped now – I’m a professional”, she smirks. While we’re on the topic of drinking I ask about her advice for students – the very demographic most associated with the inebriated pastime. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself”, she says, with real concern in her voice. “At that time, I would put so much pressure on myself and that would just stress me the fuck out and I wouldn’t ever enjoy anything. Especially when you are going to uni, it’s a big change, you’re away from home and living with random roommates. Her words are validating, poignant, and I feel students who have struggled through the pandemic will be stirred by her words of hope and encouragement. “It is scary, it is strange, and you do feel uncomfortable. You tend to find the people you really get along with and find yourself in that world.” But most of all, her message for the students whose entire uni experience has revolved around stress is this: “Just lighten up and embrace it.” After all, life is far more than what we achieve at university.

22 Film

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TAKE IT FURTHER THAN THE DANCE FLOOR: Why is Spiking so Absent Onscreen? Pip Carew Film Writer

hey put themselves in danger, girls like that. If she’s not careful, someone’s going to take advantage.’ These are the words spoken by a man standing in a club in Emerald Fennell’s 2020 black comedy Promising Young Woman. In the scene, a group of men look on as a woman lies in a nearby booth, clearly drunk and vulnerable. What’s significant about these opening words is the impetus of blame which they suggest, if she’s not careful. Therein lies the crux of the situation, women have always been responsible for their own safety which in turn means being responsible for the actions of others, especially those with sinister intentions. The film recognises the difficulty with depicting spiking on screen. Film’s must not fall into the territory of defining or blaming victims for the bad things that happen to them.

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In recent narratives concerning spiking, we see women attempting to regain power, to impress an agency which was stolen from them.

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In recent years, the saturation of narratives surrounding club culture and instances of spiking (the two being undeniably linked) has risen significantly. Revenge thrillers such as Promising Young Woman (2020) and genre-blending black comedies like I May Destroy You (2020) and Hustlers (2019) are all explorations of what happens when male inhibitions are liberated in the dark, otherworldly space of the club. Seeing a familiar experience depicted cinematically can either become uncomfortable in its truthfulness or soothing as a confirmation of lived experiences. Whether it’s the so-called ‘nice-guy’ who can’t take no for an answer in Promising Young Woman or a lonesome walk home in an unfamiliar place after a night-out goes wrong in I May Destroy You , these situations are unfortunately indicative of real experiences. These stories,

all helmed by female auteurs, speak truthfully to the presence of sexism and misogyny in society still echoing in the post #MeToo era. And nowhere is sexism more prevalent than in the club. Perhaps it’s the club setting, an atmosphere not particularly conducive to being filmed, too dark, too flashy, too noisy for dialogue, with its slightly seedy quality, that is responsible for the lack of clubbing narratives up until now. Yet it’s the drama and excess of the dancefloor that provides a fertile ground for storytelling. Russell T Davies’ 90s TV drama, Queer as Folk , uses the Mancunian club scene as a means of self-exploration and liberation at a tense period in history. More contemporary depictions of the clubbing scene, however, have become increasingly sinister, exposing issues which are heightened by darkness, proximity and opportunity. Straying further from the mainstream is Gasper Noe’s Climax (2018), a nightmarish, pulsating feverdream of a film in which a troupe of dancers are spiked with a powerful hallucinogen while trapped in a French basement. Noe treats spiking as the catalyst for the horror of losing bodily autonomy. The frenetic movements of the dancers throughout exacerbate the gory confusion that plays out onscreen. Far from romanticising drug use, Climax is a nauseating demonstration of the effects of spiking on a large scale. Visceral and disturbing, it’s virtually impossible to tear your eyes away from. Michaela Coel’s ground-breaking millennial drama I May Destroy You (2020) is an interesting exploration of the levels of complicity involving harassment in a club and its normalisation. The series follows influencer, Arabella, as she attempts to assemble the events of a night out after being spiked at a club poignantly named ‘Ego Death.’ A level of nuance is essential when depicting a traumatic chain of events and I May Destroy You guides its audience through several difficult instances in which lines, spectrums and borders are violated all using this first instance of assault as a starting point. Despite being a bleak comedy, the show is clearly poignant. What these portrayals show is that predators exist outside of the club, they have normal lives, they infringe upon boundaries in everyday life, at offices, in shops as well as the club. The rise in spikings

on screen reflect the real life urgency in addressing the current situation. Which is why the morality of Hustlers (2019) is so ambiguous. The plot: a group of business savvy strippers plan to rob Wall Street clients by drugging them at expensive bars and committing credit card fraud. The controversial reversal of roles at play here is engaging to watch. While I must condemn the actions of the women, it is interesting to see such a dramatic shift of power played out in a fictional landscape. Spiking is, above all, an exercise of power. In recent narratives concerning spiking, we see women attempting to regain power, to impress an agency which was stolen from them. It’s there in the hyperfeminine glamour of Hustlers and the exclusively female soundtrack of Promising Young Woman. These films reject the patriarchal presence at every turn, although it makes itself known soon enough. Even the underlying forces of misogyny dampen the romantic subplot in Promising Young Woman . Love interest Ryan (Bo Burnham) is presented to us as in typical rom-com fashion. He is insistent that Cassie go out with him in a way that’s endearing, but perhaps equally concerning, when it’s an attractive A-lister doing it. The two fall in love (obviously) to a perfectly timed Paris Hilton track. However, the ‘nice-guy’ illusion is shattered when Cassie discovers his complicity in filming the sexual assault of her friend during college. When Cassie has finally decided to lay her trauma to rest (if one can ever truly do so) the prevalence of this corruption in the world makes itself known again. The kind of hypervigilance that Cassie adopts in relation to men is unfortunately relatable to many female audiences. It’s exhausting having to look out for yourself and the actions of others all the time. It’s expensive getting Ubers home because you don’t have the freedom to walk alone. It’s terrifying that a night out without someone being spiked currently feels like an anomaly. If spiking on screen is here to stay until our culture learns how to obliterate its real-life perpetrators from existence, then I would like to see the narrative turned inwards. Stories exploring what level of cowardice could possibly compel a person to spike someone in a club would be enlightening because every time I ponder the question myself, I draw a blank.

Film 23

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KINOFILM Review: Women in Film Selection

SHORT FILMS FALL SHORT Ella Robinson Managing Editor (News)

he ‘Women in Film’ collection at the recent Manchester film festival KinoFilm, was varied in plot, style and unfortunately, quality. A combination of the beautiful hidden venue of Chapeltown Picture House, and the fact that I had loved their summer pop-up film festival in Withington, meant I was going into the showing with high expectations … which were quickly squashed. The opening short, Grandbad , was simply that, bad. It had the air of a school assembly anti-bullying video, with poor teenage acting, naff over the shoulder shots of Snapchats written by someone who has never used Snapchat, and a Grandad who spoke only in cliches and metaphors. Rather than being poignant as it perhaps saw itself as being, its consistent references to ‘youth jargon’ fell flat and were just slightly odd. The consistent symbolism did remind me of another short I saw during Kino’s pop-up festival, which

was also about a boy and his Grandpa but told through the symbolism of The Blue Cape . Within five minutes, The Blue Cape had emotionally impacted me in ways Granbad could only hope. The ‘Women in Film’ collection was not all bad. Surface Noise , a short about a woman who had become mute following her kidnapping, and her relationship with her therapist as they worked through her PTSD together, was simply beautiful. The emotion Rachel Doherty conveys without speaking a word was incredible. Similarly, the flashback scene of her kidnapping used lighting to great effect and highlighted the relentless hopelessness of her struggle through its fast cuts. Glimpses of her reflection in the window showed ever-present bruising even when she was physically healed. A clever but also deeply pertinent demonstration of how the post trauma wounds remained even if they weren’t conventionally visible. In the final moments when she was able to directly confront her reflection and her past it was an empowering message, and

one that has stuck with me since. A lot of the other shorts – Lara, The Cut, and Homegirl – were instantly forgettable. And one, Clean as You Like , was downright painful to watch. Trying so hard to be funny but falling dismally short. Although one person in the audience seemed to love it, I am not sure if they were friends with the director or if they hadn’t yet progressed beyond the primary school farting jokes. The Drink which was about a woman (Zoe) having to confront the realisation that her co-worker had spiked her felt particularly timely. Spiking often seems to be a danger when you go ‘out out’, hence the recent club boycott, but the Alcohol Education Trust have said over half the stories they hear are from house parties and festivals, often by people the victims ‘know’. The Drink brought this issue to the fore, although it held a rather depressing message in a world of increasing distrust. And yet, The Drink does convey a powerful message. It showed women supporting other women as a fellow

bar-goer notices the spiking and lets Zoe know in the seemingly safe haven of the women’s toilet. Whilst The Drink was a well-acted short, it felt like a sadly unrealistic depiction of many women’s experiences of spiking. A conclusion where the police arrive is unfortunately not the outcome for many spiking victims. It made me think of the recent arrests at Warehouse Project. Whilst the arrests are undeniably positive, it highlights how typically the police do not act even when spikings are reported, and shows the long way still to go. The festival covered a wide range of women’s issues – revenge porn, cat-calling, spiking, friendship, even how to clean up the dead body of your messy boyfriend. But as is so often the case with ‘Women in Film’ collections, women dominated the audience. This means the educational and potentially thought-provoking messages in many of the shorts seemed instead to be preaching to the choir (maybe not the dead boyfriend part) rather than targeting those who really need the education.

24 Books

CULTURE

Spotlight: Laura Bate’s

MEN WHO HATE WOMEN

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Me n B ate W h o H a t s side challen e Wome r n g olen everyd e s the w by L au a c r e sse e again y misog ay we c a s o y nt i a l rea t wome ny and nn, m d i ng v akin i. g it

In light of recent news, Victoria Roberts explains why Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates is an essential read.

“LAURA BATES is showing us the path to both intimate and global survival,” - GLORIA STEINEM Content Warning: this article contains references to physical and sexual violence against women Victoria Roberts Books Writer

n 5th October 2021, PM Boris Johnson voiced his opposition against making misogyny a hate crime, stating that there are already sufficient measures in place to protect women and girls and that this motion would overload the police. This statement came only a week after Wayne Couzens was sentenced to a life term for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021, which launched the issue of violence against women and girls into the national spotlight. The issue of women’s safety and the failures of the police and criminal justice system in protecting it became even more pressing following the disappearance and murder of Sabina Nessa in September. With these cases demonstrating why violence against women and girls should be foregrounded in national debate, Laura Bates’ ground-breaking 2020 book Men Who Hate Women: The Extremism Nobody is Talking About is essential reading.

Laura Bates is a feminist writer and journalist, the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project and author of books such as Everyday Sexism and Girl Up . Her latest book, Men Who Hate Women , is a courageous and thorough examination into hidden extremist communities who are united by a hatred for women.

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violence against women and girls is an epidemic, and an example of domestic terrorism Bates uses undercover identities to infiltrate the poisonous online and offline communities of groups such as incels, pick-up artists, Men’s Rights Activists, and Men Going Their Own Way, exposing their misogynistic ideologies and mapping how men and boys become radicalised into them. This meticulous account of modern misogyny lays out indisputably how deep rooted the problem remains in Western society. By examining these extremist groups Bates also demonstrates how everyday misogyny has

become accepted and normalised in society, from schools to the media, from workplaces to our government. This normalisation of so-called ‘low-level’ misogyny is what forms the foundations from which men and boys become capable of climbing the ladder towards radical ideologies, which are both a symptom and cause of the epidemic of violence against women. Men Who Hate Women is a wake-up call to how seriously misogyny at all levels needs to be taken in order for society to tackle violence against women, a message which clearly needs to be shouted louder in the wake of the Prime Minister’s overruling of making misogyny a hate crime. One of the most significant and potentially radical arguments Bates makes is that violence against women and girls is an epidemic, and an example of domestic terrorism. Bates writes that “Men hurt women. It is a fact. It is an epidemic. It is a public health catastrophe. It is normal.” She then argues convincingly; “If terrorism is a means of attempting to exert control and wield power by creating fear, then, at a micro or individual level, it precisely describes domestic abuse.” This is an issue which is as

prevalent in the UK as anywhere else in Western society, highlighted by the shocking mass shooting which occurred in Plymouth in August 2021. The gunman, Jake Davison, was linked to the online incel community, and used the internet to express his misogynistic and homophobic views. The first victim of his attack was his mother, whom he had expressed his resentment towards on discussion website Reddit (a site central to inceldom). Despite this, Devon and Cornwall police stated that Davison’s motive was unknown, and that they were not considering terrorism as a motive. In the aftermath of the event Bates was vocal about how this tragedy demonstrates yet another example of misogynistic extremism fuelling terrorist acts, which cannot be ignored any longer. Bates’ examination of this issue doesn’t neglect intersectional examinations of race and gender, including in the complex conversation about how terrorism is defined. She argues that the unwillingness to recognise misogynistic terrorism is “borne out of the overlap of two major media blind spots: the first is its reluctance to classify white murderers as terrorists

with anywhere near the same eagerness as Muslim or nonwhite perpetrators; the second is its tendency to downplay, excuse and humanise men who commit violence against women in general.” This tendency is exposed for how harmful it truly is, demonstrating the urgency for radical change in how both the media and we as individuals view acts of misogyny and its perpetrators.

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Bate’s examination of this issue doesn’t neglect intersectional examinations of race and gender including in the complex conversation about how terroism is defined Through rigorous investigation of extremist misogynistic groups, interviews with former members and accounts from the men and women on the frontline in tackling violence against women, Men Who Hate Women is more than just a journalistic account of modern misogyny; it is a call to action, and one which needs to be heard by everyone.

Artwork @ Serena Jemmett

26 Fashion

ISSUE 4 / 15th November 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

PROFITING OFF SPIKING :

Products targeted at women to feel safe

Alex Bikard Fashion Editor

f you’re a woman and have spent some time on social media in the past few months, you’ve probably heard of a brand that produces 2-in-1 scrunchies and drink covers. The innovative design was created by Shirah Benarde who, after hearing horrifying stories of her friends being spiked in college, decided to create a wearable product that would double as an anti-spiking accessory. Along with her brother, they decided to launch NightCap which, in the 6 weeks leading up to their Shark Tank pitch in February 2021, made $40,000 in sales. The sales have since then skyrocketed after Shark Lori Greiner decided to invest $60,000 in their business. Whilst the siblings credit their explosion in sales to effective website optimisation and good social media marketing, the real driver behind their success is that there are very few products on the market that target spiking. The emphasis being that essentially every woman who likes to go to bars and clubs feels threatened by spiking.

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NightCap’s marketing is straight to the point: women are being spiked and for £15 they can be a lot safer.

Their product is simple and effective: it “can be used to cover over most cups and glasses to prevent pills and powders from being dropped into a drink”. The scrunchie can be worn around your wrist or in your hair until you need it. Once you get your drink, all you have to do is pull the drink cover out from a hidden pocket in the scrunchie, place it on top of your drink and pop a straw in. You can use and reuse the products by popping them into the washing machine and laying them flat to air dry. While they do have their own website, the product can currently only be purchased through Amazon in the UK. A single pack will set you back £11, a two pack £20 and a ‘family’ 4-pack will cost you £36 along with a £4 delivery. They currently come in black, pink and purple. NightCap’s marketing is straight to the point: women are being spiked and for £15 they can be a lot safer. They provide a disclaimer on their website which says that the “Nightcap can deter drink spiking in many instances, but cannot guarantee your safety. Always buy your own drink and never leave it unattended”. The product is also marketed towards women. While it is understandable that they need to put the disclaimer for legal reasons and their target audience is obviously the one primarily affected by the issue their product aims to stop, the company openly plays and profits on the victim-blaming narrative. While this is currently the only accessory that targets spiking, there is currently a plethora of

products on the market that aim to prevent women from being assaulted: from pepper-spray key chains to emergency location bracelet, women are being milked off their (already unequal) salaries to try to prevent getting assaulted in the public space. One can applaud Shirah Benarde’s initiative to make profit off of something useful. However, although her and her brother’s genius has tapped into a previously unexploited market, we must ask the question: should a product that is currently a necessity for people’s safety be sold for profit? How would people feel if transport companies started selling seats with seatbelts for an extra few pounds? While we can’t blame this specific brand for finding a way to make money under capitalism, why do we adhere to an economic system that allows for individuals to make money off other people’s lack of safety? Why is there no governmental action to prevent spiking so that products like the nightcap become a luxury rather than a necessity? NightCap has won a myriad of awards, from universities to pitch competitions and has been a huge success on Shark Tank. Shirah and Michael’s have been met with sensational feedback for their innovative product design. However, while the sibling’s product is a success story, it really shouldn’t be. We shouldn’t applaud products that allow women to be safer, but should really focus on creating a public environment that doesn’t require women to spend extra time, energy and money on ensuring they don’t get assaulted in the first place.

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ISSUE 4 / 15 NOVEMBER 2021 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

What to do if you are a victim of sexual abuse or assault Whether it happened recently or some time in the past, help is available.

sexualviolencesupport.co.uk

Photo @ Serena Jemmett

Horoscopes 15.11.21 - 29.11.21 Fortnightly Astrological Prophecies from Catherine Shatwell (charlatan in training)

Sagittarius (23.11 - 21.12) ‘A great sense of humour’. Keep telling yourself that - those silences after a delivery are just people in stunned silence.

Pisces (20.02 - 20.03)

Capricorn (22.12 - 19.01)

Aquarius (20.01 - 19.02)

A Sun in Capricorn often leads to descriptions such as ‘observant’ or ‘aware’. People want you to stop staring at them.

No. Getting drunk, listening to Taylor’s version and crying does not count as a personality.

Aries (21.03 - 20.04)

You’d probably rather go float on a puddle than go to the City/West Ham game - plastic fan.

If you were a spice, you’d be flour. Yes, that joke is from Bob’s Burgers.

Gemini (21.05 - 20.06)

Cancer (21.06 - 22.07)

Taurus (21.04 - 20.05)

I once saw a Taurus described as the emotions you feel when smelling a cake in the oven. It’s true. Except you’re a burnt carrot cake - unusable and no one wanted it any way.

Leo (23.07 - 22.08)

We all know you’re never really going to write that short story/anthology/novel you’ve got in the ‘pipeline’. Put your energy somewhere less pointless.

With a Saturn in Gemini, you will likely heasr terms such as ‘original’ and ‘creative’ to describe your ideas. People are really saying they’re unworkable and idiotic.

There’s got to be a limit on how utterly useless someone can be right?

Virgo (23.08 - 22.09)

Libra (23.09 - 22.10)

Scorpio (23.10 - 22.11)

You’re not the universe’s gift to humanity. You’re a punishment to those who sinned in a past life.

No. You don’t know how to load the dishwasher properly.

Sudoku

‘Inspired by’ Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training

Do-able

Psycopath