Flare: Your Student Safety Companion

Claudia Watson on 15 December 2023

Our sense of safety and security is something we often take for granted until it is taken from us. In the blink of an eye, spaces previously comfortable and familiar can be transformed into strange and dangerous territories. University campuses and communities are no different.

The irregular schedule and busy life of a student often sees us working anti-social hours and travelling alone. Leaving the library late and walking home after dark is a regular occurrence, and 9 times out of 10, we encounter no problems.

But what about that 1 in 10 instance where something does go wrong? What then?

Seeking to answer that question is Gabriel Brown, Morgan Saville and Geno Racklin Asher, a team of recent graduates from Cambridge University’s Kings College.

Together, the team created Flare, an emergency SOS app, which allows users to instantly send a pre-customised emergency text to trusted contacts by simply swiping or pressing the Flare notification on their lock screen.

The app has been designed with students in mind and aims to improve safety on and around campuses. In light of this, it is important to take a look at the figures supporting the push for additional protective measures.

Data collected by the Office for National Statistics reveals that for the period between March 2018 and March 2020, students were more than 3 times more likely than the average person to experience sexual assault. The Unsafe Spaces report 2020, an investigation into sexual abuse at English and Welsh universities, estimated that on average, 50,000 incidents of sexual abuse and harassment occur at universities each year. Whilst data most commonly records crimes of a sexual nature, other crimes, such as theft, also largely impact student areas.

Although statistics somewhat reveal the extent to which students are at risk, they do not accurately reflect the whole picture. Research by NUS in 2019 found that only 14% of students who experienced sexual misconduct at university reported the incident, and of this number, only one in five told their college or university.

Flare stands out as a valuable safety-companion for students due to its accessibility and convenience, and this has not gone unnoticed by universities across the UK. Societies and student unions are sharing in Flare’s mission to make campuses safer by partnering and sitting on Flare’s Advisory Board, which will meet regularly to discuss student safety on campus how Flare can help.

Amongst the app’s partners are Leeds’s very own, University Commuters’ Society, and the Society Against Sexual Harassment and Assault (SASHA.) The Leeds University Commuters’ Society supports students who live at home or commute into university, aiming to foster a sense of community and accessibility. Flare represents an important opportunity to enhance student safety when getting to and from campus, and CEO and Co-Founder Gabriel Brown believes, “that Flare’s technology will play a crucial role in ensuring that commuter students are secure and supported.”

SASHA advocates for increased awareness of sexual assault and rape culture at universities, by providing a safe space for students to share their experiences and to meet a community of survivors.

SASHA’s Secretary, Kay Corbin, spearheaded the society’s partnership with Flare, and explained: “SASHA is incredibly excited to begin working with Flare, a company whose remarkable dedication to enhancing personal safety perfectly complements our mission. This partnership represents a pivotal moment for us, as it strengthens our ability to serve and protect our student community. Flare’s innovative solutions and proactive approach align seamlessly with our commitment to student support. We are confident that this collaboration will help us foster a culture of safety and well-being within the student community, setting new standards for student security.”

Flare can of course be used in conjunction with calling 999, but what makes it unique is its ability to act as a middle ground between feeling threatened and contacting the emergency services. By allowing users to let trusted contacts know of their location, it is an extremely valuable tool in instances where the police may not be needed, but the user feels at risk.

Discussing the collaboration between Flare and universities across the country, Gabriel, emphasised that, “Flare isn’t just an app; it’s a movement that is all about creating safer communities. We’re thrilled to see the positive response from the student community, and we are committed to continuously enhancing Flare to champion safety in university communities.”

Unfortunately, feeling unsafe at and around university is a shared experience for many students, but the partnerships between Flare and the Leeds University Commuters’ Society and SASHA signify a positive step in the journey towards making our campus and city a safer place for everybody. The Flare app can be download for free on both iOS and Android:

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/flare-stay-safe/id6461013913

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cx.cause.emergency

Or you can visit the Flare website for further information: www.flare.cx

For more information on the Leeds University Commuters’ Society or SASHA, visit:

https://engage.luu.org.uk/groups/Q93/commuters

https://sashaleedsuni.wixsite.com/sashaluu/about

Or find them on their social media @leedscommuters @sasha_uol

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: It’s Time to Act

Claudia Watson on 25 November 2023

Violence against women has no textbook definition. It’s not always a fight in the street, shouting from the house next door, or obvious injuries. It doesn’t recognise age or race, it’s not confined by borders, and it doesn’t depend on financial status or education. Violence against women is a threat to all women, and a problem for everyone.

November 25th is observed yearly, as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The date was chosen in honour of Patria, Minerva, and María Mirabal, three sisters who were violently murdered on November 25th, 1960, for their underground movement opposing dictator Rafael Trujillo and his brutal regime. The day honours the strength and bravery of every woman who has experienced violence and encourages unified action against it.

The theme for International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women 2023 is, ‘UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.’ The campaign asks individuals what they are doing to take action and calls upon governments to invest in the prevention and eradication of gender-based violence. November 25th is preceded by ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’, a global campaign established by the United Nations, and running until December 10th, Human Rights Day.

The United Nations estimates that globally, “736 million women —almost one in three”, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence on at least one occasion. Most of the violence faced by women is at the hands of intimate, or former intimate partners, and on average in 2020, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, a woman or girl was killed by a family member once every 11 minutes. In the UK, data presented by the National Centre for Domestic Violence states that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, with Office for National Statistics figures reported by the BBC, revealing that between September 2020 and September 2021, an overwhelming 40,572 women were victims of sexual assault, and 41,332 were victims of rape.

In 2017, the #MeToo movement commanded the attention of the world, inspiring important discussion, and investigation into violence against women. The campaign, first founded in 2006 by Tarana Burke, went viral, after American producer Harvey Weinstein’s years of manipulation and sexual abuse within the film industry were uncovered. The widespread coverage over social media encouraged victims from all around the world to come forward, sharing their own experiences of violence and abuse and spreading a powerful message; enough was enough.

Unfortunately, despite global conversation and movements to eradicate gender-based violence, simply being born a woman puts you in danger. The murders of Sarah Everard, Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa, to name just three, are a terrible reminder of this fact. Every day, in every country, women are forced to change their actions, routes, or behaviours, just to make it back home safely, and sometimes even that is not enough.

In conversation with British Vogue, barrister Harriet Johnson discusses the case of Sarah Everard, and what it tells us about the world we live in.

“It’s because it wasn’t [that] late at night, she wasn’t drunk, she wasn’t flirting with anybody, she wasn’t dressed provocatively…

It’s impossible for women to make themselves smaller than that. And once you recognise that it is impossible for women to make themselves small enough to not be vulnerable to that kind of violence, then you recognise that the problem isn’t women and the burden [of staying safe] shouldn’t be on women.”

In Leeds, despite multiple petitions to persuade the council to place streetlights in Woodhouse Moor, the quickest, and most direct route home for most university students, today after 5pm, the park will sit pitch black and dangerous. How many more women need to get hurt for something to change?

So, what can you do?

In Leeds, you can attend university society, Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault, also known as ‘SASHA’’s, clay-making session, to discuss victims taking back their power, and the day’s importance. The session will be led by Welfare Officer, Lauren Royall, at 4pm, Wednesday 22nd November, in Room 1 LUU (tickets to be released on Engage on Monday the 20th). Lauren and other SASHA committee members will be available to help direct anyone requiring support or resources.

Online, you can take action by joining the global movement and sharing #NoExcuse via social media, as well as by spreading the word about any initiatives local to you. You can also head to SASHA’s social media (@sasha_uol) to find signposting to help and resources, and information on how to get involved beyond the 25th of November.

As mentioned, the theme this year is, ‘UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls’, so one of the best things you can do is get out into your local community and see how they’re working to protect women, and what you can do to help. Whether you donate money, clothes, or possessions, or choose to volunteer your time to local charities and organisations, everybody can make a difference.

November 25th is a day to celebrate all of the incredible work being done worldwide, to protect, empower, and support women, but it’s important that we also recognise just how far there is to go. Change starts with conversations, challenging behaviour, and listening to victims. Everyone has a part to play, every day, not just on November 25th.

Together, we can eradicate gender-based violence, and make the world a safe place for women.

For help and support:

Women’s Aid Website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

Refuge 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Leeds Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service: scw@leeds.ac.uk , 0113 343 4107

Leeds Harassment and Misconduct Team: reportandsupport@leeds.ac.uk

Cheer: How the Leeds Celtics are setting the pace for gender equality across campus

Claudia Watson on 20 October 2023

Established in 2001, and today comprising of 6 different teams, both co-ed and all-women’s, Leeds Celtics Cheerleading are fast becoming one of the most popular sports societies on campus. With both national and grand-national titles to their name, the Celtics compete across multiple levels of difficulty, with teams tailored to a variety of abilities and skill sets. Cheerleading provides a unique opportunity to support and work alongside other sports societies. Cheer attendance at games not only boosts spectator spirit, but also player morale, fostering a culture of partnership and community. Traditionally, the cheerleading team have primarily attended men’s games, but this year, the society are working to change that, by cheering for a wider variety of sports, with a particular focus on supporting women’s teams.

With this in mind, I sat down with Celtics Captain Holly Rattigan, and Match Secretary Lilly Mansfield, to discuss how the society is using their central position to promote women’s sport across campus.

Speaking first about what encouraged them to begin cheer, both Holly and Lilly discussed their desire to try something new at university. With over 160 members, Celtics is a great way to meet new people and make friends outside of your course, whilst keeping fit and learning new skills.

“We’re a huge society…and it’s like one big family.” (Holly)

Many people haven’t tried cheer before, and transfer from dance or gymnastics backgrounds. It’s a sport which requires discipline, strength, and rhythm, with the Celtics training extensively before attending any fixtures.

‘At what point did you begin to notice a gap in the sports that cheerleaders were directed to cheer for?’

“Immediately… ‘[Whilst] we did cheer for women’s sports sometimes… it wasn’t the focus” (Lilly).

The Celtics have been a society for a long time, and naturally, relationships with other sports have developed, leading to traditions and long-established partnerships. In light of this history, the Celtics already had many teams they wanted to cheer for in the upcoming semester, however, there was a noticeable gap in cheer representation at women’s games. Captain of the Celtics, Holly, attributes this to the stereotypical perception of cheerleaders, which has emerged from US cheer culture, “The traditional view of side-line cheerleaders in America was girls with pompoms cheering on men’s games…but it’s something we really want to push against.”

With the new academic year commencing, the Celtics have set out to change tradition and challenge cheer stereotypes, all the while supporting other women’s sports societies.

‘What steps are you taking to ensure women’s sports are receiving the same support from the Celtics?’

“As soon as I became Match Sec, I said I wanted to cheer for women’s sports” (Lilly).

As Match Secretary, Lilly oversees the booking of the cheer team’s fixtures, and it was upon starting the position that she began to notice a lack of cheer presence at women’s matches. She raised the issue with the coaches and committee, and everyone was onboard with extending the scope of the Celtics’ game attendance.

“We loved the idea of girls supporting girls, and the female led societies at the Uni are amazing, so we thought it would be great if we could cheer for them as well … they appreciate the work that has been done to get cheer and other women’s sports the platform, participation and support they have now.” (Holly)

Following these internal discussions, Lilly contacted a variety of on campus women’s sports teams, each of whom were thrilled to receive cheer support at their games and begin creating a relationship with the Celtics.

Alongside match presence, a huge part of building cross-society connections comes from socials. Cheer have always enjoyed collaborative socials with other sports, however, “every time we did a joint social with another society, it was only the men’s [teams]” (Holly).

Conversations have already begun, and dates saved to change this, with the upcoming Celtics season full of socials and appearances at both men’s and women’s games, and for a wider range of sports than ever before, “we’ve got a really nice broad, even split.” (Lilly)

Whilst there is a plethora of benefits to connecting with more societies and teams, at the heart of this move for change was a desire to see women supporting women.

Women’s sport has always faced adversity. Whether it’s through lack of funding, support, or resources, female athletes have all shared in the struggle of gaining equal recognition and respect. By using their platform to promote women’s sports too, the Celtics hope to tackle harmful prejudices, and give female athletes the equal celebration and support they deserve.

“We…love the idea of pushing back against the misogynistic undertones and stereotypes that often come to people’s mind[s] when they think of side line cheer, and we prioritise the girls wanting to support, uplift and encourage other female societies, and hope that this can go some way to change people’s perceptions.” (Holly)

The Celtics have an exciting year ahead, with requests to cheer from the Leeds Gryphons Women’s Ice Hockey team, who have made it into the premiership, and Leeds’s very own professional rugby club, the Leeds Rhinos.

The changes the Celtics are making set the standard for gender equality across campus, and challenge historic gender stereotypes which threaten to limit and undervalue women’s sport.

Top Student Friendly European Travel Destinations

Claudia Watson on 9 May 2023

‘Cheap places to travel?’ 

These four words have been typed into my search bar at least a dozen times since beginning my year abroad. Contrary to popular belief, seeing Europe on a student budget is entirely possible, and it doesn’t have to involve staying in the worst hostels imaginable (although these places do make for good stories…) 

Before deciding where you are visiting, you need to be looking for the cheapest way of getting there. Skyscanner is my go-to for flights. It compares all airline prices in one place, but be warned, often the cheapest options are companies without glowing reviews. If possible, book directly through the airline. You can reduce your costs by travelling on weekdays, particularly Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, and by booking as far in advance as possible. Airlines such as SAS also offer youth tickets, which give students a discount on flights.

If you’re visiting a city, it is likely that they will have a transport app available to buy train or bus tickets. In my experience, it always works out cheaper, sometimes by as much as 50%, to purchase tickets via an app, and there is often a student discount available. Do your research before going and save your pennies for experiences and souvenirs.

In terms of affordable destinations, a must see is Prague. Known for its stunning gothic architecture and ridiculously cheap bars, Prague has a lot to offer students on a budget. Its Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge are all free to see and admire, and you can hire pedalo boats for £10 an hour to see the city from the river Vltava. For a more in-depth exploration of the city, you can join a free walking tour, given by an experienced guide who talks (and walks) you through Prague’s interesting history. Hidden within the city’s beautiful streets is the Wallenstein Palace Gardens, a great spot to sit and relax. Lennon Wall is also a must see! You can find a bed in a central hostel for as cheap as £10 a night (use HostelWorld to compare prices). If there is a group of you travelling, you might prefer to rent an Airbnb. You can find flats close to the city centre for as little as £70 a night, split between 5 people.


Another incredible place to visit on a student budget is Budapest. I visited with 3 friends, and we found an Airbnb for £40 each (total) for 3 nights. Whether you’re booking a hostel or private accommodation, it’s worth finding somewhere with a kitchen so you can cook for yourself and reduce the costs of a dinner out. Budapest has so much to explore, from its beautiful castle to its breath-taking Parliament, and like Prague you can join a free walking tour. Whilst we were there, we took an unlimited (yes, unlimited!) prosecco cruise, and it only cost us £17. The famous ruin bars are also really reasonable and full of students and travellers.

If you’re looking for a place with culture and nightlife that won’t break your bank, Poland is definitely one to tick off your list. The capital, Warsaw, is home to a huge number of museums and is the perfect place to try amazing Polish food. Look out for places called “Bar mclenzy” (translating to milk bars), for cheap, traditional food. Gdansk and Wroclaw are also amazing Polish cities to see. Cheap trains run between them, but be sure to book in advance to avoid extra costs!

Finally, I want to talk about the Balkans. This area in south-eastern Europe offers incredible travel opportunities that cater to a student budget. Mostar, in Bosnia, is host to an infamous bridge jump which has been attracting the brave since 1664. The city is extremely affordable, and you can have dinner out for as little as 5 Euros. If you are looking to explore some historical sights, Bosnia’s capital Sarajevo is your place. In its centre, you can walk through Bascarsija (old bazaar) and admire the Sebilj Brunnen Fountain – just make sure to try a traditional Bosnian coffee whilst you’re there! If you’re looking to swim, be sure to beach hop in Himara, Albania, for turquoise water and cheap hostels. Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia, also offers stunning waterside scenery, and has extremely student friendly prices.