Tuesday 03-05-2016 - 14:32

This week sees the launch of a new applet on iLancaster, UniSafe.

This joint initiative between the Students’ Union and University is all about making it far easier for students to know how to report incidents of harassment and hate crime. Through Unisafe on iLancaster, students can either anonymously report or, get the help and support they need. This could be relating to incidents on campus, in their accommodation, or in the city.

Vice President Welfare and Community Anna Lee said: “The applet has from start to finish been survivor-led, ensuring that the applet connects students with the relevant support and services as painlessly as possible. We want to ensure that all students feel comfortable and confident in reporting sexual assault, rape, hate crime or harassment anonymously or not.”

 Students are still encouraged, where they feel able to, to report incidents as and when they happen to the appropriate authorities such as the police, venue security on a night out, or staff within the University.

Vice President Campaigns and Communications Katie Capstick said: “The app is here to complement these systems and offer an alternative for students who don’t know what to do, where to go or don’t feel confident in using existing reporting methods.”

Provost for Student Experience, the Colleges and the Library Professor Mandy Chetwynd said “The applet has been a fantastic example of collaboration between the Students’ Union, Student Based Services and ISS. We hope Unisafe will benefit students here for years to come. Lancaster is at the forefront of universities in responding to making it simpler for students to know how to report”.

Unisafe will help the University and Union better understand more of the types of incidents which are occurring to our students and target campaigns and support.