Anti- Rape Nail Polish: Ignoring the problem

Four students in America all know women who have been sexually assaulted, as most students anywhere do. But instead of sitting around and saying something bad is happening they've decided to d something about it. Introducing anti-rape nail polish, which won't do exactly as it says on the tin, but it will alert the wearer if their drink has been spiked. The invention has received a lot of praise, winning $11, 250 at a local entrepreneurial competition and a donation of $100, 000 for the product, being an area not yet studied in large by the scientific community or commercial companies.

Although at first glance this seems to many a great way to empower women and make them feel safe on a night out, and some people have criticised the product saying that it is not something currently needed, with only 2.3% of a group of sexual assault victims questioned believed they had been given drugs. Furthermore, as most crimes of this sort are committed by known and trusted men, many women feel that even if they had the nail polish on, they would not have thought to stir a drink given to them by a friend or family member.

The main problem I see with this product is the fact that it is accepting rapists and the fear of them. It’s great that it will empower women to feel safe on a night out, but how long until we start telling people who were sexually assaulted that they should have been wearing the nail polish, and it becomes just another way of controlling the way women look? Will it become that we can only wear a short skirt if we also have this nail polish on so we can avoid getting attacked with blame and have the crime taken seriously?

All in all, encouraging people to wear this nail polish without addressing the issue of sexual assault will not reduce the number of incidents, it will just change who it happens to. Not everyone in a club will be wearing anti-rape nail polish. It takes a long time to work, so if you’re noticed, the suspect can move on.

As part of my role next year, I will be working to make sure the campus and surrounding area stay safe, providing information on Zero Tolerance and Consent on campus throughout the year.

One great service you can use to report any sexual assault on campus and the surrounding area is Hollaback! The link to Royal Holloway's one is here: http://ulu.ihollaback.org/hollaback-campus/surhul/ and you can download it to your phone or use the web page to post what has happened to you. If you need any help regarding this issue, contacts for support and advisory services can also be found on this page.

See you in Fresher's!
Imogen x

ENGLAND WIN THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

The last time we won the Rugby world cup I was 1. I'm now 21 and yesterday victory was ours once again. The final was against Canada who we had drawn 13 all with in the pool stages, but we took to a flying start in this match, ending the first half with a lead of 11 points, and putting further distance between us as Canada started catching up, finishing on a total of 21-9.

At this point, you may be wondering what I'm talking about- wasn't it the football world cup this year? And didn't we get knocked out of that pretty early on? Or maybe you already know, due to the sudden interest of newspapers now that we've won it. If they only reported victory for men's sport most of the general public would be wondering what was up. Although that would be because most of the general public would know there was a match on. Flags would be out, TVs would be on, pubs would be full. But this wasn't men's sport. This was the women's rugby world cup.

Celebrating their victory: Source

Female sport is still massively underrepresented in media- only making up 2% of the content of sports coverage in the UK. The women participating in the rugby world cup came from many different professions, most taking unpaid leave to participate in the tournament, while it was reported that the men's England team were paid £41, 666 per man up to the quarter-finals during their world cup.

Men vs. Women sport coverage in 2012: Source

Despite having jobs and living all over the country, England's women team did not let this jeapordise their chances of victory. Captain Katy Mclean told Sky Sports, "We've worked so hard for this, and there are so many great legends that have gone before us that haven't won in an England shirt, and that's for all of them who are here today" 

Katy Mclean, England's captain, works as a primary school teacher in Sunderland: Source

Hopefully there will now be a bit more of an interest in women's sport. We saw a growth after the Olympics, and now we've won the rugby world cup perhaps we'll see even more. Next year sees the women's football world cup taking place in Canada. It's a big sport in some countries now, and I hope this means there will be coverage of it in the UK.

Having women's sport televised more is important, not just because they should be represented as much as men are (although yeah that's pretty much it), but also because it gives young girls role models, it lets them know it's not just boys who get to play football, it gives them confidence to pursue sports they want. 

Remember, there are some brilliant women's sports teams at Royal Holloway, make sure to visit the sports fayre and get involved!

Hello!

Hey everyone!

I'm Imogen and I'll be your Women and Marginalised Genders' officer for the next academic year. I thought I'd start off with a little post to let you know a bit about myself, my ideas, and how to get in contact with me.

Who am I?
I'm about to start an MRes in the Classics department. But don't worry, I'm not new to Royal Holloway; I've been around for 3 years doing my undergraduate degree, so I'm familiar with the campus, the SU, and student life in the area.

I was an active member of the Amnesty International Society for three years and was on the committee for two of them, so activism isn't a new thing to me. When you bring problems to me I will do all that I can to help you.

For reference, here is a picture of me and some goats.

Why did I run?
I guess this question could have a lot of different answers, but really I just want to continue working towards a more inclusive campus where everyone feels safe. I really enjoy organising and campaigning for issues I'm passionate about and I'm looking forward to working with the other liberation officers to help achieve a campus where everyone feels welcome and cared for.

So...what do I plan to do?
I want create a campus where students are educated about their rights and issues that concern them. I want women and marginalised genders to feel represented in this on campus and by the end of the year to walk around more confident in expressing themselves and making a change.

Throughout the year I'll be holding talks on topics such as trans media awareness, consent, and equal pay among many more, I'll also be creating stronger links between the SU, the health centre and the counseling service so you know where to go if something's up. I'm hoping to organise self-defense workshops and women and marginalised genders gym introductions, and if there's anything else you need there will be regular forums where you can come and have your say.

You can view my election manifesto here.

How can you get in contact with me?
Facebook: RHUL women's and marginalised genders' network
Twitter: @rhulwmg
Email: rhulwmgo@gmail.com

You'll also be able to see me at the Fresher's Fayre with the other liberation officers.
The first forum will be on Wednesday the 8th October, and the first film screening will be on Sunday 12th October :)