STUDENTS are aiming to prevent sexual violence on university campuses with a new awareness raising campaign.

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and its Students’ Association have launched the Standing Safe initiative.

It comes after Scottish Government figures revealed that there has been a steady increase in the number of reported violent sexual crimes since 1974, with a 46 per cent increase in the last decade alone.

Dr Kallia Manoussaki, a lecturer in psychology at UWS who leads Standing Safe, said: “Sexual violence is a growing but largely hidden problem which is particularly prominent among young people between the ages of 17 and 25.

“Education institutions have a responsibility to address the matter and University of the West of Scotland is committed to developing a proactive approach to help students across the country learn about and prevent the root causes of sexual violence.

“We have already received positive feedback from colleagues and students and we will continue to work collaboratively to improve understanding of the attitudes underlying sexual violence and to promote an ethos of mutuality, equality and respect on our campuses.

"Importantly, Standing Safe will work to actively engage students, support safe bystander intervention and provide a tool kit so students know how to get help if they need it.”

Politicians, Rape Crisis representatives, leading representatives from NHS Health Scotland, student campaigners and representatives from UWS gathered yesterday at the institution’s Paisley Campus for the launch.

Standing Safe will include focus groups, workshops, art projects, conferences and social events facilitated by students and supported by staff and external partners.

Organisations involved include Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre, the NHS Lanarkshire Gender Based Violence and Health Programme and Glasgow Women’s Library.

Work is also underway to develop a project, giving students the opportunity to work with an artist in residence on themes around gender, sexuality, sexism and sexual violence.

Heather Armstrong, president of societies and citizenship with Students’ Association UWS, said: “SAUWS are incredibly proud to be involved in a campaign which prioritises the real problem of sexual violence in our society.

“We are really pleased that students and staff are coming together to highlight it with this campaign. We hope to see all UWS students engaging in the campaign and taking forward the ethos in all aspects of their lives.”

Christina McKelvie MSP added: “The repercussions of sexual violence can be arduous and torturous, with the victims facing a long road to recovery.

“Every step of the way, The Scottish Government will be there to support the victims of such heinous crimes.

“We also support the approach to the prevention of sexual violence, through programmes such as the Standing Safe Campaign which will delve deeper into the root causes of sexual violence.

"This will ensure that all our students can stand safe on campus.”

More information on UWS’ Standing Safe campaign is available on Twitter @StandingSafe