By Gavin Mackintosh-
The UK government’s groundbreaking “Enough” campaign is set to collaborate with over 30 universities across the nation in its latest effort to combat violence against women and girls on university campuses.
Launched on November 25th, the third phase of the campaign is specifically tailored to address potential perpetrators of abuse within the student community.
This new phase is a direct response to alarming statistics from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, revealing that full-time students were more than four times as likely to have experienced sexual assault within the last year compared to individuals in any other occupation.
The campaign aims to empower students to intervene safely and effectively when witnessing incidents of violence against women and girls.
For the first time, the Enough campaign will collaborate with universities to create bespoke campaign materials that mirror the scenarios and forms of abuse prevalent in student life.
The initiative provides practical advice on intervening in instances of sexual harassment, sharing intimate images without consent, coercive control in relationships, and unwanted touching.
A central component of the campaign is the expansion of the STOP prompt – Say something, Tell someone, Offer support, Provide a diversion – providing multiple options for individuals to intervene safely in public spaces and around university campuses.
Graphics featuring this prompt will be displayed on posters, digital screens, and university social media accounts, contributing to broader efforts to enhance safety on campuses.
Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering the public to combat abuse, stating, “The Enough campaign aims to deliver a generational shift in the attitudes and behaviors which lead to abuse – everyone has a role to play.”
Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Laura Farris emphasized the importance of educating the public on their role in addressing violence against women and girls. “Already this year, we have classified violence against women as a national threat for policing and rolled out a new approach to how rape is investigated by forces in England and Wales.
There will be more to come,” she affirmed.
The Enough campaign’s collaboration with universities has garnered support from various quarters, including Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Baroness Newlove and Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs, who both emphasized the need for a societal approach to tackle violence against women and girls.
Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, expressed pride in supporting the initiative, stating, “Campaigns such as Enough are fundamental in driving the proactive message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated.”
The campaign, launched in March 2022, has previously partnered with Channel 4’s Hollyoaks to address violence against women and girls in a specific storyline.
Nikki Sanderson, who played a key role in the episode, commended the campaign for attempting to change societal attitudes and behaviors.
As part of broader efforts to address violence against women and girls, the government has allocated £12 million in new funding to tackle domestic abuse, including direct payments to victims and training for 2,000 police investigators in sexual offenses by April 2024.
The campaign reinforces the government’s commitment to creating a safer society for women and ensuring that perpetrators’ behavior is challenged on all fronts.