The University falls further behind on GBV prevention

The University faces growing pressure to adopt the ‘EmilyTest’, as other institutions gain recognition for their efforts to prevent GBV.

The University of Glasgow has fallen further behind other Scottish institutions in its efforts to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Glasgow Clyde College announced on 28 February that it has been awarded the prestigious EmilyTest Gender-Based Violence Charter, in recognition of its commitment to tackling GBV on campus. In obtaining this award, Glasgow Clyde College now joins fellow Glasgow institution the University of Strathclyde – as well as the Universities of St Andrews and Aberdeen – in not only pledging commitment to the Charter but also successfully passing the “EmilyTest.”

This evaluation, which asks whether an institution’s policies and preventive measures could have “saved Emily” – a tragic benchmark set in memory of Emily Drouet, who took her own life in 2016 after enduring GBV by a fellow student – is central to the initiative.

The EmilyTest GBV Charter, established in 2021 by Fiona Drouet, is the first of its kind globally. It is built around five core principles and sets over 40 minimum standards for participating institutions. 

In summary, these principles are Open & Learning: requiring institutions to openly acknowledge GBV on campus, identify gaps, and turn challenges into opportunities for growth, Educated & Empowered: ensuring that both staff and students receive comprehensive training and resources to recognise and respond to GBV, Safe & Effective: mandating robust policies, timely interventions, and risk assessments to support survivors and enable safe continuation of studies, Comprehensive & Connected: calling for a whole-institution approach that involves all stakeholders, from senior management to student unions, in creating cohesive GBV systems, and Equal & Inclusive: focusing on developing policies that address factors such as gender, ethnicity, and disability, thereby ensuring equal access to support.

Institutions that meet these standards are evaluated on whether their measures could have “saved Emily” and, if so, they are awarded the EmilyTest GBV Charter Award. 

In an email to Hillhead Review, Seana Watt, Project Assistant at the EmilyTest charity, said: “To enable institutions to implement this framework, EmilyTest supports institutions through one-to-one coaching, providing it dedicated staff support, resources and opportunities to share good practice within the sector.”

More than two years on from the Ross Report, a comprehensive review of the University of Glasgow’s handling of GBV, the University has yet to pledge to the Charter. In the intervening period, Scottish institutions such as St Andrews, Strathclyde, and Aberdeen Universities have overhauled their GBV processes, been rigorously tested against the Charter’s benchmarks, and formally recognised for their excellence in both prevention and response. 

Since the Ross Report, the University has improved its online reporting and record-keeping systems, expanded support services, appointed a safeguarding manager, enhanced staff training, and established stronger coordination with student unions to ensure serious cases are referred directly to its conduct process. Although, it has failed to implement mandatory preventative education – an area where the EmilyTest Charter excels.

The Charter emphasises the necessity of robust consent education and bystander intervention using workshops as the primary tool to tackle GBV before it happens. The University of St Andrews has led the way with its “Got Consent” workshops, which were developed via the “StAND Together” initiative between the Students’ Association and the University. These are delivered every year in the halls of residence and have been made mandated by the Students Union for all societies.

In the 2023/24 academic year, 4040 students received this education. Penny Turnbull, Assistant Head of Student Services at St Andrews, explained that although the workshops were initially voluntary, it soon became clear that the students who most needed the education were likely not the ones attending. Strathclyde has also made consent and GBV modules compulsory for all new students as part of the matriculation process. In contrast, Glasgow “Let’s Talk about Sexual Violence” peer-led workshops and online “Let’s Talk” module remain voluntary, meaning students who most need this vital education will likely never receive it.

The pressure for the University to join the EmilyTest GBV Charter has been mounting. In 2022, it was revealed that the EmilyTest foundation had been in talks with the University of Glasgow, but they opted to await the findings of the Ross Report before making any commitments. In the Report, later published by Morag Ross KC, it was noted that “some, but not all, institutions have chosen to apply for the EmilyTest Charter” and suggested that self-auditing might be sufficient. 

This potentially contributed to the University's reluctance to pledge to the Charter. However, evidence suggests that external accreditation offers a crucial benchmark, ensuring preventative education, particularly on consent and by-stander intervention, is not left to voluntary, ad-hoc measures.

During a Scottish Parliament session in 2023, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville publicly urged all universities to join the Charter, emphasising that government funding for EmilyTest is intended to ensure that institutions are not only taking GBV seriously but are actively addressing it. 

Further fuel was added by student activism during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, in November and December 2023, when the Queen Margaret Student Union endorsed a petition demanding that the University adopt the Charter. 

The University’s newly formed Gender Equality Group, comprising officials and student representatives, met for the first time on 21 October 2024 and, according to meeting minutes obtained by Hillhead Review, the committee formally recommended that the University join the Charter. Yet, there has been no public comment. 

With consent and bystander intervention education remaining insufficient and voluntary at Glasgow, it is clear that while reactive processes have seen improvement, the University’s preventative measures are falling behind those of its peers. 

If the University of Glasgow is truly committed to safeguarding its community and preventing GBV before it happens, it must embrace external accountability by joining the EmilyTest GBV Charter and making consent and bystander intervention education mandatory for all students.

A spokesperson for the University said: "A University spokesperson said: “We take the prevention of gen- der-based violence extremely seriously and recognise the critical role we play in fostering a safe and supportive environ- ment for all members of our community.

“While we acknowledge there is always more to be done, we have made significant commitments to strengthening our approach – going beyond any single framework or lens to ensure a truly comprehensive response.

“We remain open to discussions on further steps, includ- ing alignment with key charters and frameworks, but our focus is clear: real, tangible actions that create safer, more supportive environments for all.”

Published 17 March 2025