A charity working to prevent gender-based violence at colleges
and universities will receive more than £200,000 from the
Scottish Government this year.
EmilyTest, which was set up in memory of undergraduate student
Emily Drouet, helps to promote equality and tackle violence
against women and girls. The funding will support the charity's
work, including further engagement on its Charter containing
specific measures for educational institutions. Rape Crisis
Scotland will also receive £45,000 for the current financial year
to fund work with colleges and universities intended to prevent
violence.
The financial support reflects the Scottish Government's wider
commitment to tackling gender-based violence wherever it occurs
in society.
First Minister said:
“Violence against women and girls remains a blight on our society
and societies around the world. In some cases, it can lead to
young lives being cut tragically short. That was what happened to
Emily Drouet. Emily's mother Fiona has undertaken remarkable work
in her daughter's memory.
“I am proud that the Scottish Government helped EmilyTest create
its Gender-Based Violence Charter, the only initiative of its
kind in the UK. Given their obligation to keep students safe, I
am pleased that many of Scotland's colleges and universities have
engaged with the Charter, with seven of them now having received
their Charter Award.
“Tackling gender-based violence is a priority for my Government.
As First Minister, I am acutely aware of my own responsibilities
and the need at all times to join others in acting as a positive
role model. But we need to go further than that by working with
partners to educate, and to put in place effective measures to
prevent violence. Only through such sustained work and shared
commitment will we deliver the equality we need in our society.”
Founder and CEO of EmilyTest Fiona Drouet said:
“I want to sincerely thank the First Minister and his Government
for their unfaltering commitment to tackling gender-based
violence in universities and colleges. Every student
deserves to live, work and study free from the harms of such
abuse, but sadly, students are the occupational group most at
risk, which is why this work is vital.
“With support from the Scottish Government, we are able to help
institutions take meaningful action in prevention, intervention,
and support, applying our evidence-based framework to ensure
minimum standards across the country. Early evaluation shows
this work is driving meaningful change in policy and practice,
and that wouldn't be possible without the steadfast commitment of
our Government.”
Background
In financial year 2025 to 2026, EmilyTest will receive
£223,319 in grant funding from the Scottish Government.
The First Minister spoke about the importance of tackling
gender-based violence and improving support for victims when he
was interviewed by Sean McDonald for the Blethered podcast at the
end of April. The second part of the interview, which includes
the discussion, can be found here on audio and here on
video.
The first part of the interview can be found here on audio
and here on video.
