ARU’s gender-based violence work is recognised
Anglia Ruskin is one of only two English universities to receive EmilyTest Award
Representatives of EmilyTest, ARU and Domestic Abuse Education at the EmilyTest Charter Award presentation
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is among the first institutions in England to receive an important national award recognising its work to tackle gender-based violence (GBV).
Alongside the University of Warwick, ARU has been awarded the EmilyTest Charter Award by the Scottish charity EmilyTest.
The EmilyTest Charter was created in memory of Emily Drouet, an 18-year-old student who was subjected to a sustained campaign of GBV from a fellow student and later took her own life.
Determined to ensure no other victims are left unsupported and at risk like Emily was, her mother Fiona established the EmilyTest charity, which developed the world’s first GBV Charter for universities and colleges.
The Charter outlines standards for sexual and gender-based violence prevention, intervention and support, and helps institutions check that their policies, practices and procedures would have saved Emily’s life: ‘Would they pass the Emily test?’.
Already awarded to a number of universities and colleges in Scotland, the Charter was piloted in England last year to ensure alignment with the English higher education system. Following this successful pilot, ARU is now among the first institutions in England to achieve the Charter Award, reflecting its sector-leading work in this area.
ARU has taken a comprehensive, university-wide approach to tackling GBV. Alongside its Counselling and Wellbeing Service, which provides confidential counselling, mental health advice and wellbeing support, ARU has partnered with Sharon Livermore MBE of Domestic Abuse Education.
Through this partnership, a group of trained student domestic abuse ambassadors play a vital role in raising awareness and guiding fellow students towards appropriate internal and external specialist services.
ARU has also implemented a dedicated domestic abuse policy, hosted conferences on the topic, delivers specialist domestic abuse training for staff, and promotes the White Ribbon campaign, which actively engages men and boys with the aim of challenging harmful attitudes that can escalate to violence.
In addition, ARU has marked Domestic Abuse Awareness Month through impactful public art exhibitions on campus, helping to foster open conversations and increase the visibility of support services.
“For many years academics at ARU have undertaken outstanding research around gender-based violence, both online and in person, and many of our students have also provided remarkable leadership in tackling this issue.
“We have made a firm commitment to preventing gender-based violence by combining practical support with proactive awareness raising within our communities, so that every student and member of staff knows how to recognise the signs and where to turn for help.
“I am extremely proud of the work carried out across ARU, not least by our Counselling and Wellbeing Service, to ensure our campuses remain safe, inclusive and welcoming. Receiving this award shows that this hard work is being recognised nationally, and we hope that other universities will work towards achieving the EmilyTest Charter Award.”
Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
“I am delighted that ARU has achieved the Charter Award. We have seen a clear and genuine commitment across the University to ensuring that gender-based violence prevention, intervention and support are delivered to the highest standard possible. The calibre of expertise within ARU is exceptionally strong, and this achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of those involved.
“The Charter is necessarily rigorous because achieving meaningful and sustainable change within large institutions is challenging and requires sustained commitment, reflection and action across many areas of the university. It is not a tick-box exercise, but a framework designed to support meaningful cultural change and lasting improvements in practice. ARU has approached that challenge with real dedication and a clear commitment to making their campuses as safe and supportive as possible for their students and staff.
“Achieving that kind of change requires time, commitment and strong leadership. The Vice Chancellor has demonstrated that commitment throughout, and that leadership approach has been, and will continue to be, vital as we continue to work with ARU to achieve continuous improvement in this area. Congratulations ARU on this very well-deserved achievement.”
Fiona Drouet MBE, Founder and CEO of the charity EmilyTest