Mandatory consent training for students amidst rise in spiking
RECENT INCIDENTS LED TO VOTES TO BOYCOTT OF NIGHTCLUBS
MANDATORY courses in consent are on the cards for Hull students as the university looks to crack down on the threat of sexual violence and drink spiking.
It comes amid growing worries for women’s safety following recent incidents of spiking by injection, with reports of two people stabbed with needles at Silvers Bar last weekend.
The university’s students union closed its Asylum nightclub on Wednesday evening as part of a national boycott of clubs and bars in protest at the rise of spikings.
The nationwide protest - called Girls Night In - saw both female and male customers refuse to go out as a show of protest and solidarity with victims.
But speaking about measures being taken to prevent spiking incidents, a senior officer for Hull University Students Union said online courses in consent could become mandatory for students from next year.
The courses are already available through the university’s learning management system, but, at present, not obligatory.
Holly Burton, the student union’s inclusion and diversity officer, said: “This is not female students’ responsibility at all.
“Sadly, we encourage people to take precautionary measures, like reusable bottle tops and spiking test kits.
“We have consent training that is hopefully going to be available for students in the next year in the form of online modules – some of these will be mandatory, but some won’t.
“Consent can be a complicated thing at times because gone are the days when it was simply, ‘no means no.’ Now it’s a case of if it’s not an enthusiastic ‘yes,’ it’s a no.
“Someone who is not able to consent for whatever reason may not necessarily say yes.”
Holly said: “This is about certain people’s entitled behaviour and lack of respect for other people’s bodies and minds. We need to change the culture.”
A Hull student was forced to seek medical attention on Sunday after she was stabbed in the leg with a needle while leaving Silvers Bar, before later becoming drowsy. Humberside Police has confirmed
is investigating the incident, in which a man was also reportedly stabbed with a needle at the same venue.
Hull’s student union hosted its Girls Night In on Wednesday as it closed, following a vote in which 75 per cent of students voted to boycott.
“It’s not just female students concerned. A lot of students of other genders are worried too,” said Holly.
This not just a women’s issue it affects all of us.” The Mail has contacted the university for a comment.