Saints in Solidarity: Students Protest in Solidarity with Jane Doe
Students at the University of St Andrews protest against gender-based violence amidst international coverage of the Cornell seven case.
On Monday 5th October, the Reclaim Our Streets protest, organised by multiple of the women-led societies at the university, took place on South Street next to the Blackfriars Chapel Ruins. The protest was organised by St Andrews Women Against the Far Right, St Andrews Students Against Gender Based Violence, St Andrews Feminists, EmpowHER St Andrews, and Got Consent? Students and the current Rector Stella Maris took to the streets to protest against issues of gender-based violence (GBV).
Gender Based Violence (GBV) can be identified as “any form of violence or force used to maintain, enforce or establish gender inequalities and power dynamics” (Scottish Government). This can include acts such as physical, sexual, emotional, verbal or psychological abuse, relationship abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation, homophobia, and more. GBV can happen regardless of gender or sexuality.
The Cornell Seven is a recent infamous case of GBV in the United States. As of last month, a past student (Jane Doe) at Cornell University filed a lawsuit against the university alleging that ‘she was gang raped after being coerced into consuming drugs by several men at the Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell in 2024’. This has sparked outrage about how sexual assault, and other forms of GBV, are dealt with on university campuses, as well as prompting more individuals to come forward with similar stories. This has led to students at Cornell, as well as University of Minnesota, UCLA, Columbia, and more to organize protests standing in solidarity with Jane Doe and victims of GBV. And now, students of the University of St Andrews have joined in.
In a study done by Revolt Sexual Assault in 2018, many shocking statistics were discovered about GBV in UK universities through their 4,500 participants across 153 institutions:
‘62% [of students] have experienced sexual violence at UK universities’
‘1 in 10 reported their experiences to the university of police’
‘Only 2% of those experiencing sexual violence felt both able to report it to their university and were satisfied with the reporting process’
The Stand reached out to Got Consent?, a student led initiative to prevent sexual violence and GBV in St Andrews, and one of the societies who helped organise the protest for comment. A representative told The Stand — “It’s so important that universities actively fight against it [GBV]. This includes holding perpetrators to account, supporting all survivors, and implementing prevention measures, such as consent education [...] This struggle against violent systems is one rooted in hope. Hope for a better world and one free from violence, and we all have a part to play in creating that world’.
The University of St Andrews maintains a “zero-tolerance approach”to GBV and other forms of sexual violence. It also uses the EmilyTest Charter, to which it received an award from in 2023. The EmilyTest Charter requires the University to adhere to 40 minimum standards in order to "instill excellence in gender-based violence prevention, intervention and support” (University of St Andrews). They also utilise Report + Support where students can report issues of GBV either anonymously or with contact details.
Recently, St Andrews Women’s Sexual Assault support group created a report summarising the testimonies from victims of sexual violence regarding their experiences reporting GBV to the University, which they described as ‘inaccessible’ and ‘obscure’. They also explained that many students did not know how to reliably navigate the systems put in place by the University. St Andrews Women’s Sexual Assault Support Group is run by students, and provides survivors with resources and assistance to any women seeking support for sexual assault or rape.
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article support can be accessed by Rape Crisis Scotland on their website Helpline | Rape Crisis Scotland or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 08088 01 03 02. Advice and support on reporting sexual assault at the University can be found by visiting their website Sexual misconduct - Current students - University of St Andrews.
Resources if you have experienced GBV in St Andrews:
Call – 08088010302
Text – 07537410027
University of St Andrews Report System
St Andrews Nightline
Call: 01334 46 22 66
University Security and Response Team
Call: 01334 468999
Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre (FRASAC)
Call: +44 1592642336
NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS)
Call: +44 8001488888
Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project Fife
Call: +44 1592642336
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