Domestic Violence: An issue for students?

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

You will probably be seeing quite a lot in the media over the next coming days over the topic of domestic violence. For example just this morning the government announced the news that schools will be teaching 5 year olds and upwards about gender equality and violence at home. Not too surprisingly this has been met by a backlash from angry parents terrified that their little angels are about to be traumatised at school. However those implementing the policy assure us that children will actually be taught about mutual respect and the unacceptable nature of violence. Personally I feel that talking about domestic violence and it's consequences in the classroom can only be a good thing.

In addition to all this the NUS national Women's Officer has just rolled out a survey on women's experiences of domestic violence at University and College. I would encourage as many students as possible to take the survey even if you aren't sure that it is relevant to you.

Which leads me to my main point, whilst talking about the survey amongst friends and colleagues I was shocked by the responses from one or two people. A number of students felt that yes domestic violence was a serious issue but as students it simply doesn't affect us. I have to say in my time as an officer I've heard a few shockers but this one left me utterly flabbergasted.

However, it didn't take long for me to realise that this view isn't all that uncommon. Namely the assumption that students aren't capable of domestic violence, are they? surely not?

It's then that it became apparent to me that domestic violence is still considered to be something that happens to others, not to people 'like us'. The image of the battered housewife huddled in the kitchen is so ingrained in every one's mind that it's difficult to imagine that the girl sitting next to you in the I.C is just as likely to be a victim. Unfortunately figures show that the under 25s are just as likely to become a victim of serious domestic violence than any other age group.

It gets worse, a survey carried out by Bliss magazine (aimed at 11-17 year olds) found that 1 in 5 of their readers had been the victim of violence from someone they were dating. This survey was exactly the wake up call we needed to realise that domestic violence is affecting the younger generation.

We are slowly starting to realise that domestic violence takes many forms and can appear anywhere, even in our happy Sheffield student bubble. The more we accept that domestic violence does exist in the rich and poor, young an old, the easier it becomes for those people affected to seek help.

If you have been affected by domestic violence please call the National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit http://www.nationaldoemsticviolencehelpline.org.uk/.

Alternatively send me an email at womens.officer@sheffield.ac.uk and I can give you advice and information on where you can find help. You wouldn't be the first and unfortunately won't be the last.

In your opinion what does a Students Union do?

Hello everyone



It's a horrible wet day and surely there's no better time to ponder the function of your Student's Union. As part of the Officer team's plan to get out and talk to students more regularly I've been harrassing the odd person innocently queing for cash/food with a few questions. Some of the people I spoke to simply couldn't care less and would much rather carry on their day unmolested by some strange woman calling herself a 'Student officer'. However for those who did respond there were some interesting comments. You said.....

In Your opinion what does a Students Union do?

• Help students that need advice


• Provides information on housing jobs, personal health


• Support societies and activities (Most common answer)


• Make fun things


• Provides food, venues, meeting rooms


• Provider of social networks


• Sells stuff


• Provides nights out
  

If you could change one thing about your Students Union what would it be?

• Lower the prices (this was most popular)


• More food outlets


• More places to sit when you haven't bought food


• Replace the bank


• Louder Radio broadcasts


• Bring back Chilli wedges in Interval..(I think I'm too young to understand this one)

And what does all this mean?

In general people were very happy with the way the Union is run and I was cheered that the majority of people were aware that the money they spent in the shop goes straight back into student activities, support and information.

Personally I was shocked that very few people knew that a Student's Union is there as a poltical representative body with the power to protect and defend students. Until of course I remebered that until my thrid year I had pretty much no idea that's what a Students Union was for either.

Sheffield Student's union really is the best in the country but we know we have to do more to show people the importance of democracy and representation. There's an awful lot going on behind the scenes at Students Union council that the majority of students are completely unaware of. Check out the student voice page to see just how much is going on.

Hands up if you want a job

It's that time of year again the Graduate Recruitment fairs have been and gone, the Careers Service are popping up in your lectures demanding that you start looking for work now or else face a life time of emptyness, and really, truthfully, you probably couldn't care less. Hiding under the duvet and only popping out to make an occasional hot chocolate probably seems like a much better option.

Well I'm afraid it's time to don the scarf and gloves and get yourself down to the Careers Service. I know it looks like a multi storey car park but it really is a good place to go for advice on employment. I went my self today and picked up a lot of stuff that I've never even heard of before.

The Skills for Work certificate is a brilliant way to give your CV something more than every other applicant will have. Employers will be bombarded with students who have excellent degrees and this can give you a little something extra to tip the balance in your favour.

Skills for Success is a series of interactive workshops designed to improve your employability skills. These are run on an ad-hoc basis by a range of real employers who know what skills other businesses will be looking for.

There is also a Careers Mentoring Scheme which gives you the opportunity to meet one to one with a working professional who is offering to give you support and develop your careers ideas.

What cannot be stressed enough is that it's never too early to start looking for what CV boosting sessions are on offer. I've graduated now and have lost the chance to participate on most schemes. The best action you can take is to go down to the Careers Service and ask an advisor what you can do now to boost your job prospects later.

There are also plenty of magazines and booklets available to give you a little inspiration if you just haven't decided what you want to be yet, I know I haven't....maybe an astronaut.