{"id":2032,"date":"2025-06-03T09:21:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T08:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/?p=2032"},"modified":"2025-06-03T09:21:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T08:21:08","slug":"ameera-jamil-why-charter-marks-matter-and-how-the-university-of-manchester-is-leading-the-way-with-emilytest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/2025\/06\/03\/ameera-jamil-why-charter-marks-matter-and-how-the-university-of-manchester-is-leading-the-way-with-emilytest\/","title":{"rendered":"Ameera Jamil: Why Charter Marks Matter\u2014and How The University of Manchester is Leading the Way with EmilyTest"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.17.6″ featured_placement=”above” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” date_format=”j M Y” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever scrolled through a university\u2019s website and noticed badges like\u202f<\/span>Athena SWAN<\/span><\/i>\u202for the\u202f<\/span>Race Equality Charter<\/span><\/i>, you\u2019ve seen charter marks in action. These aren\u2019t just decorative logos\u2014they\u2019re powerful symbols of a university\u2019s commitment to values like equality, sustainability, and student wellbeing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Charter marks are formal recognitions awarded to institutions that meet high standards in specific areas. For universities, they\u2019re a way to show they\u2019re serious about creating inclusive, safe, and forward-thinking environments. But they\u2019re also more than that. The process of applying for a charter mark forces institutions to reflect, gather data, and make real, measurable changes. It\u2019s about walking the talk.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most impactful charter marks emerging in the UK right now is the\u202f<\/span>EmilyTest Gender-Based Violence Charter<\/span><\/b>\u2014and The University of Manchester is proudly at the forefront.<\/span><\/p>\n

EmilyTest: A Charter Born from Tragedy, Driving Change<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In April 2025, The University of Manchester joined the pilot of the EmilyTest Charter, becoming one of the first English universities to do so. The Charter was created in memory of Emily Drouet, a student who died by suicide after experiencing abuse at university. Her mother, Fiona Drouet, founded EmilyTest to ensure no other student would be failed in the same way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Charter challenges institutions to ask a hard but necessary question:\u202f<\/span>Would our policies have saved Emily\u2019s life?<\/span><\/i>\u202fIt\u2019s built on five core principles\u2014from being \u201ceducated and empowered\u201d to ensuring campuses are \u201csafe and effective.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By joining the pilot, Manchester is helping adapt the Charter for the English higher education system, aligning it with new regulations from the Office for Students on harassment and sexual misconduct. But this isn\u2019t just about compliance\u2014it\u2019s about culture.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manchester\u2019s Commitment to Student Safety<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The University of Manchester\u2019s involvement in the EmilyTest pilot reflects a deep, ongoing commitment to creating a safer, more supportive environment for all students. This isn\u2019t a new concern for the university\u2014it has already established a strong foundation through initiatives like its\u202f<\/span>Advice and Response<\/span><\/i>\u202fteam, which provides trauma-informed support; the <\/span>Report + Support<\/span><\/i> platform, designed for reporting \u00a0incidents of harassment<\/span>;<\/span><\/i> and the\u202f<\/span>SafeZone<\/span><\/i>\u202fapp, which enhances personal safety on campus. <\/span><\/p>\n

By engaging with the EmilyTest Charter, the university is taking its efforts a step further. It\u2019s not just about responding to incidents\u2014it\u2019s about prevention, education, and building a culture where gender-based violence is actively challenged. The pilot offers a chance to evaluate existing practices, identify gaps, and implement meaningful, lasting improvements. This proactive approach signals that student wellbeing is not just a priority\u2014it\u2019s a responsibility. And Manchester is stepping up to lead by example.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, EmilyTest will be delivering some free training for staff members on responding to disclosures so if anyone is interested, please email <\/span><\/i>adviceandresponse@manchester.ac.uk<\/span><\/i><\/a> to register your interest- spaces are limited!<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ameera Jamil<\/span>\u00a0
Advice & Response Caseworker (Safeguarding, GBV & Hate)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

Related<\/h1>\n

Related posts:<\/h3>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>

Laura Cragg: Importance of Charter marks at the University<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Contact Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Find Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n