The newly-elected University of Sheffield Student Union president has said her goal is to make the university a safer place for its female students.
Daisy Watson-Rumbold has had past experience with the Student Union in roles such as Vice-chair of SU Council, Ethical and Environmental Councillor, Advice Centre Receptionist and Academic Facilitator.
The university already offers safety measures including anti-spiking coverings and a safety bus minibus for transport home, but Daisy has stressed her desire to reinforce and improve security.
She said: “Every student should feel safe, comfortable and secure when using our facilities, including the Foundry.”
The Foundry, the university’s student nightclub, has been criticised by some for its lack of consideration for female students.
Eilidh Renfrew, a first year history student, said: “I’ve found the Foundry to be quite male-dominated environment, especially on sports nights.”
Ms Watson-Rumbold’s plans for increasing women’s safety addresses these concerns, providing ideas that will aid in offering women a safer environment in the Student Union.
She aims to improve overall security by implementing in-house training on how to respond to sexual assault disclosures. She said she hopes doing this will “help shift a tolerant culture into a genuinely zero-tolerance environment.”
She also wants to review the complaints procedure at the students union due to it currently not being possible to submit an anonymous complaint. She highlighted how this could “discourage victims,” and instead advocates for a dual based system based on “privacy and choice.”
Ms Watson-Rumbold wishes to introduce a sexual health awareness week during the academic year, and increase resources for sexual health awareness.
She said her overall aim is for the Student Union is “to have a culture that rests on enthusiastic consent, positive sexual knowledge and mutual respect”.
The new president has highlighted her ideas and aims throughout her recent campaign, and encourages other students to come forward with any suggestions to the current officer team or her team next year.
