Sexual assault

Illustration in a red and blue colour scheme showing a central figure looking down, holding a medical test kit, against a backdrop individuals including a police officer, a judge, a person in a hazmat suit and a women looking into a microscope.

Features

Are self-swab kits ‘the start of the end of sexual violence’, or could they cause more harm than good?

Against a backdrop of chronic underreporting of sexual assaults, thousands of self-administered rape test kits have been distributed across Bristol, targeting university campuses. But are users, already coping with trauma, being given the clarity they need to make informed choices?

Listen: People Just Do Something – Meg and Bryony from SLEEC on smashing the patriarchy for good

‘Now I’ve opened up, there is no one to help’: how the burden of sexual crime lies on survivors’ shoulders

Investigations

Inside Avon and Somerset Police’s new ‘whole story approach’ to catching rapists 

In 2021, Avon and Somerset found itself at the forefront of Operation Bluestone, a groundbreaking initiative to increase rape prosecutions. But is it making a real difference for survivors?

Investigations

‘Hollow victory’: a rape survivor’s journey through a broken criminal justice system  

Reports

Bristol trial tackling drink spiking is hailed a nationwide success

After a drinks spiking incident at Pryzm, students speak out on sexual harassment

With Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa driving a new wave of anger about women's safety, how safe is a night out in Bristol?

Two men suspected of spiking woman’s drink in Pryzm nightclub

The alleged incident was captured on video which circulated widely on social media.

Bristol University urged to tackle underreporting of sexual violence

As more students speak out about their experiences of sexual violence, why are reporting rates so low at Bristol University?

Enough is enough. Surveying sexism at work

A Cable survey of people who’d experienced workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, yielded shocking results. What can be done about this persistent issue?

Cat Calling

Cat Calling By Marjorie Newnham- marjorienewnham.com By Marjorie Newnham- marjorienewnham.com

“We must reclaim the Clifton Downs”

In the last few months there have been three sexual assaults on the Clifton Downs in Bristol. Local women are planning a march on Clifton...