Five English universities have signed up to a gender based violence charter aimed at protecting young students against suffering abuse on campus.

Anglia Ruskin University, Birmingham City University, the University of East London, the University of Manchester, and the University of Warwick are taking part in a pilot project organised by the EmilyTest charity, which will require them to provide minimum standards of support for male and female students.

The EmilyTest GBV Charter was founded by Fiona Drouet, whose 18 year-old daughter Emily died by suicide in her first year of studying law at Aberdeen University in 2016, following a sustained campaign of physical and psychological abuse by her boyfriend, who was a fellow student, living in the same halls of residence.

The inaugural meeting of these universities and EmilyTest took place last week, hosted by the University of Warwick.

Safe, accessible and inclusive

Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills and Government spokesperson for Equalities, addressed university representatives at the meeting, emphasising the importance of this initiative:

She said: “As a government, we are fully committed to ensuring higher education is safe, accessible, and inclusive for every student. I want to personally thank the universities piloting the EmilyTest gender-based violence Charter in England for their leadership and dedication to tackling sexual violence.

“This proactive approach is an important step in creating safer campuses and giving students the support they need to thrive.”

She added: “The Emily Test offers an opportunity for real change, helping universities ensure higher education is a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued”.

The charity was founded by Mrs Drouet, who was determined to ensure no other victims/survivors would be left unsupported and at risk like her daughter.

The GBV Charter for universities and colleges – the first of its kind in the UK –has already been adopted by several Scottish higher education institutions including the universities of Aberdeen, St Andrews, and Strathclyde.

Minimum standards

It sets minimum standards in sexual and gender-based violence prevention, intervention, and support; it supports institutions in asking if their policies, practices and procedures would have saved Emily’s life: ‘Would they pass the Emily test?’.

Based on five principles, the Charter has already proven successful in Scotland, with 13 institutions actively engaging and 6 now officially awarded. As already fed back by these participating institutions, the programme is playing a pivotal role in strengthening policies, procedures, and practices while encouraging collaboration and shared learning.

The pilot programme in England aims to adapt this evidence-based framework to meet the unique needs of English institutions while aligning with the Office for Students’ Condition of Registration on harassment and sexual misconduct, which takes effect in August 2025. While the core principles of the charter remain the same, the pilot will ensure its relevance to the English higher education context.

Safe and responsible environments

Mrs Drouet said: “We are delighted to expand this work into England, benefiting thousands of students and staff. By adapting our GBV Charter framework, we will ensure it effectively supports institutions in meeting the new OfS requirements.

“This work is critical, as sexual and gender-based violence is sadly all too prevalent in our society. Data from the Office for National Statistics highlights that students are the occupational group most at risk of sexual violence as well as perpetrating it, so we must all work together to create environments that are safe and responsible.

“Through collaboration, we can ensure that students and staff can live, work, and study free from the harms and threats of this abuse.”