Background
This collaborative project was dedicated to addressing and combating sexual violence, assault, and harassment on campus, with the goal of transforming a culture of inequality and silence that pervaded this nationwide issue. The mission was to establish a safer and more inclusive environment for all students and staff at Buckinghamshire New University.
To achieve this, the project built on the foundation laid by the #NeverOK Students’ Union Campaign and enhanced the #NeverStandby initiative. Central to their approach was the development of a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment, assault, and violence, ensuring that these issues were not tolerated within the community. Their efforts focused on creating a safe and inclusive environment where every individual felt secure and valued.
They also prioritised the improvement of policy and reporting processes, as well as support structures, to ensure that incidents were handled efficiently and effectively. Empowering front-line students and staff was crucial; therefore, awareness about what constituted harassment and assault was increased, and education on strategies for being an active bystander was provided. This enabled individuals to make a meaningful difference within the community.
In addition, a dedicated Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) team was established to offer specialised support and guidance. A key component of their strategy was a live brief to engage students in awareness-raising activities and behavioural change strategies, encouraging active participation in creating a safer campus environment.
The Issue
A report by the National Union of Students (NUS) highlighted concerning statistics regarding sexual harassment on campus. It revealed that one in five students encountered some form of sexual harassment during their first week of term. Examples included sexual comments, wolf-whistling, heckling in nightclub queues, and jokes about rape. Additionally, 31 percent of female students reported being victims of inappropriate touching or groping, while around one in 20 experienced more intimate but unwelcome advances or were pressured into sexual activity. Overall, 34 percent of students indicated they had faced some form of assault or abuse.
What Needs to Happen
Buckinghamshire New University was dedicated to taking a strong stand against sexual violence, assault, and harassment. The institution aimed to advocate for and protect its students, fostering a supportive environment where individuals could thrive free from fear and discrimination. Through this project, the university proactively addressed these issues and worked towards creating a safer and more equitable campus community, standing up not only for its own students but also for vulnerable individuals across the nation.
Since the identity is called #NeverOk, I needed to design an accompanying identity stamp. The theme colour for NeverOk is orange, representing change.
The Visual Concepts
The concept was to depict specific scenarios where victims are sexually harassed or assaulted, using the colour orange to emphasise that it is unacceptable to be treated this way or to treat others in this manner..
Here are the revised digital visuals for my postcards.
Here are the four postcards I have designed. The front displays the visual, while the back has space for the student to write about their incident, share their experience, and provide their contact details if needed.
Front of the postcard
Back of the postcard
#NeverOk posters that will be displayed in various parts of the university.
#NeverOk Poster