Why Shout-Up! matters for our university venues in Newcastle
Last week, The Guardian reported new figures from the Office for Students (OfS) showing that one in three women in England have faced sexual harassment during their time at university, and almost one in five have experienced sexual assault or violence. The findings are shocking, but sadly not surprising.
Nobody should have to fear sexual harassment, on campus, on a night out, or anywhere else. Our work focuses on making nightlife safer for everyone through the Shout-Up! certified venues programme.
Certification that creates culture change
When a venue becomes Shout-Up! Certified, every member of staff receives training to recognise, prevent, and respond to sexual harassment. Venues are required to put in place clear policies to show how they respond to incidents of harassment and the management commit to a zero-tolerance approach to harassment of any kind.
But being a Shout-Up! certified is more than attending training sessions.
It’s a public promise that the venue takes safety seriously, that they know how to act, and will stand up for its customers and staff.
Certified Shout-Up! venue since 2021 Northumbria Students’ Union © Northumbria University
Students deserve safe spaces
The OfS data highlights how universities and nightlife settings shape the culture around students’ lives. Many of the incidents described in the survey happen in and around campus social spaces like bars, clubs, and student events.
That’s why we’re proud of Newcastle University Students’ Union and Northumbria Students’ Union who are both Shout-Up! certified, together covering four venues on campus.
Northumbria Students’ Union has held their certification since 2021, covering Habita, Reds Bar and Domain.
Newcastle University Students’ Union has been certified since 2022, covering its flagship campus venue.
This September, as thousands of new students arrived in Newcastle, Newcastle University included Shout-Up! in its Fresher’s Fair conversations, distributing thousands of copies of the Shout-Up! map of certified venues so students could see exactly where to go for a night out with confidence.
What the Student Unions say
“We’re here for students; every campaign we run, event we manage or service we provide, is done so with the health and wellbeing of students at its heart.
Fun is one of the core values of Northumbria Students’ Union and we want to assure our members that they can relax and have a good time with friends in an environment where they feel safe.
That’s why becoming Shout-Up! certified is so important to us. We have zero tolerance for sexual harassment and encourage anyone in our venues who has any concerns to 'shout up' and speak to our staff, who’re all fully trained to help in these situations.”
— Manager, Northumbria Students’ Union“Here at NUSU we want everyone, in our venues, to feel safe and welcome and because of this we are proud to be Shout-Up! certified.
Being part of Shout-Up! means our staff feel confident in identifying when situations occur, in taking steps in managing incidents, as well as taking a firm stance on unacceptable behaviour within our venues.
It has also given us clear guidance and support on how to have difficult but needed conversations.”
— Manager, Newcastle University Students’ Union
Certified Shout-Up! venue since 2022, Newcastle University Students’ Union © NUSU
NEWCASTLE leads by example
Since 2016, Newcastle City Council has worked with Rape Crisis Tyneside & Northumberland to devise and support Shout-Up! because they understand that tackling sexual harassment takes more than one approach.
Yes. We do need strong support and strategies for anyone who experiences harassment on a night out.
And we need preventive measures, training, and ongoing support for venues to help stop it happening in the first place.
We’re proud to see student unions, bars, pubs, and clubs across Newcastle commit to the same standard. Together we want our city to be free from all kinds of harassment, where you can enjoy a night out without fear.
If you’re a licensed venue in Newcastle and you want a city where everyone feels safe to enjoy a night out, find out how to become Shout-Up! certified by clicking here.