POSITIVE PROGRESS (3)

It is round three of our positive progress round-up, where we gather the latest stories in the news and shine the spotlight on some of the more hopeful and practical action that is being taken to improve the safety and wellbeing of women across Liverpool and nationwide. 

PRETTY LITTLE THING'S ANTI-RAPE CAMPAIGN 

Popular low-cost fashion brand Pretty Little Thing launched a campaign in conjunction with International Women's day 2022, responding to the common rape myth that a women's choice of clothing contributes to their chances of getting assaulted. According to PLT's website, they report that nearly 6 out of 10 women said it was commonly believed that women who go to parties wearing 'provocative' clothing are 'asking for trouble' which is where the hashtag comes into play: #MyDressDoesntMeanYes. The campaign was promoted by many fashion, beauty, and lifestyle social media influencers, and a unique line of slogan tote bags with the hashtag on, as well as a range of dresses was created. PLT's alliance with women reclaiming their right to dress as they like is important since the brand caters to a predominantly younger market. 

To read more about their anti-rape message visit PLT's website: https://www.prettylittlething.com/the-edit/2022/international-womens-day?refresh=1647907497197  

STUDENT FROM LIVERPOOL PUT BEHIND BARS FOR RAPE

Charles Goodwin, a 21 year old Manchester student from Liverpool was found guilty of the rape of two students and sexual assault of another. This week, he received a sentence of 17 years in prison for the brutal attacks. Judge Bryne at Liverpool Crown Court spoke at Goodwin, stating: Part of your modus operandi was to encourage the victims to drink as much alcohol as possible so that they would lower their defences and in one case, to ply her with so much alcohol that she did not know what she was doing, so that you could take advantage of their vulnerability." Although the jail time will never irradicate the trauma the women face, a level of justice has been served which is ultimately down to their courage for speaking out, especially as figures show that The proportion of rapes being prosecuted in England and Wales has plummeted to just 1.7 per cent (Independant, 2019).

Find out more: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2022/march/charles-goodwin-jailed-for-17-years-for-rape-and-sexual-assault/

THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL PROVIDES FREE PERIOD PRODUCTS 

Way back in 2016, University of Liverpool's Feminist Society (FemSoc) made it their mission to work with the Student Union to have free sanitary products installed in the Guild, a mission which they succeeded. However, in November 2021, another campaign was launched by a third-year law student who believes that  “I believe that ending period poverty for students needs to become a reality”(The Tab, 2021), to have free period products all around campus! Just last week one of our Birds spotted these free items in the Harold Cohen Library which is a really positive sign of change! 

To learn more about period poverty see: https://periodpoverty.uk