The University of Aberdeen is one of 17 Scottish universities that have come together to create and fund access to a new training course to help prevent and eradicate gender-based violence (GBV) in colleges and universities.
Building on the work of the Scottish Government’s Equally Safe national strategy and carried out in partnership with AMOSSHE- Scotland, the student services organisation, it is the first open access resource which has been tailored to assist all Scottish colleges and universities implement training for their staff.
Nick Edwards, Acting Deputy Director of People, said: “we are thrilled to be launching this new training tool for staff at the University. It has been great to work collaboratively with AMOSSHE Scotland to deliver an impactful and consistent source of training for staff on the important topic of GBV.
“This training is part of a longer-term plan of tools and action that will help our staff, not just in their roles at University, but beyond.
“We understand that we and society have a long way to go in eradicating GBV and we are committed to the work we are doing in this area. Thanks to the team at UHI and our colleagues in AMOSSHE Scotland for making this project happen.
Dr Iain Morison, Dean of Students at the University of the Highlands and Islands added: “I am thrilled that an idea emerging from conversations with like-minded people resulted in a national agreement to join forces and to work together to make this happen.
“The University of the Highlands and Islands has over twenty years of experience in delivering blended learning supported by local student services and we were delighted to be able to bring this expertise to the project, helping to create an accessible and interactive online course.
“I am extremely proud of everyone that worked on this project, especially my colleagues in the educational development unit who have developed the digital learning materials which delicately balance the need to develop understanding of how gender-based violence affects individuals and the wider campus community, with also offering guidance on how to recognise and respond sensitively to a disclosure from a survivor of gender-based violence.”