TRIGGER WARNINGS: sexual assault and violence

We have been receiving lots of messages from you over the past 24 hours to make us aware of a disturbing online global rumour encouraging sexual violence.

Hearing your concerns, we want to reassure you that there is no evidence that these reports are genuine. The universities are working with us, and the police to investigate this further to take precautions and make sure the campuses remain a safe place.

We know that many of you will have been worried or triggered by what you have heard, so we wanted to let you know about the support available to; help you stay safe, the ways to report any issues you experience and the range of advice on offer.

If you would like to speak to someone, we would encourage you to get in touch with our SU Advice team for confidential and compassionate support. You can also get professional wellbeing help from Living Support or by contacting studentservices@fxplus.ac.uk.

You can report any incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault, by using the Falmouth & Exeter Speak Out tool: www.exeter.ac.uk/speakout/report/cornwall. Any specific evidence relating to this rumour can be reported, in confidence, to studentservices@fxplus.ac.uk.

This issue has increased the need for us to action how we can move forward discussions of personal safety and making sure Cornwall campuses are more inclusive and safe.

We have already started these discussions and last week, Charlotte Agnew, President Welfare & Inclusivity and Mia Terra St-Hill, Liberation Committee’s Women’s Officer, met up with Ginny Howard and Tes Choi from the LTAS (Lets talk about Sex Society - @_ltas_). The society brought a range of ideas to the table on how students can work more proactively with their Universities on topics including sexual health and personal safety. This is the first step towards a huge collaborative effort whilst ensuring that the SU’s student members are fully supported in their own initiatives. It’s our job to represent and support you as our student members.

We want to build on these ideas. If you are a student, group or a society, do not hesitate to reach out to the Students’ Union if you want to contribute to the discussion or if you have any new ideas.

The Students’ Union does not tolerate any form of violence or sexual harassment.

UPDATE: We wanted to provide you with an update of how we have been working with the University, FXPlus and the Police, based on your feedback and responses regarding the rumours on the 24th April.

• The University has provided us with reassurance that Devon and Cornwall Police have investigated the rumour and confirmed that they do not believe there is a specific threat in Cornwall
• To help students feel safe the University’s Security and Facilities teams will have a higher than usual visible presence on both campuses on 24 April
• If you have any concerns on campus call Glasney Lodge on 01326 253503 or in the general community, please contact the Police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency)
• If you have been affected by this and would like to speak to someone, there is help out there. Please see the information and contact details highlighted in this statement.

Thank you to all of you who have been in touch this week, sharing your stories and raising your concerns. We have put this at the heart of our collaboration with the Universities & FXPlus and are looking to continue working with members, by arranging an open forum to discuss how we can progress our work on sexual assault & health.

Additional advice:
Truro SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) https://sarchelp.co.uk/truro-sarc/ special facility, independent of the police, where recent victims of rape or sexual assault can receive immediate help and support

First Light https://www.firstlight.org.uk/ a charity supporting people in Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire who have been affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence

Rape Crisis https://rapecrisis.org.uk/ national network of independent Rape Crisis Centres

Suzy Lamplugh Trust https://www.suzylamplugh.org/students-and-personal-safety personal safety charity