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Through my experience as SASHA's Welfare Officer for the past two years, I have learnt a lot about the means of creating a safe space for victims and survivors of sexual violence. I am passionate about advocating for change at the university and believe I have brought a lot of ideas about creative activism and support for students that I would love to continue to build on as president of such an empowering and comfortable committee.

I have worked alongside others to build a lot of connections with charities including Women Friendly Leeds, Survivors West Yorkshire, SARSVL and Young Abuse Support. We have, and continue to develop many exciting events and projects with these charities and organisation, which I wish to progress as President (such as implementing Ask for Angela training and opportunities to be on podcasts/panels). I am also keen to continue to work with other orgganisations beyond Leeds in order for SASHA to expand and be set up within other Universities to improve systems of support for victims/survivors there.

Another thing I am passionate about is ensuring that SASHA is as inclusive as it can be and always progressing in this way. We are a welfare society who support ALL survivors. I want to collaborate with societies such as BSL and neurodivergent society next year to culminate more ideas about inclusivity and also to open up conversations with victims/survivors who are men, in the LGBT community and to discuss the intersecting oppressions of sexual violence and racism. Furthermore, I want to ensure that we create a safe, happy and friendly space for the committee where we also ensure considerations of our own well-being, emphasising the importance of setting boundaries and knowing that our mental health comes first. Gratitude is extremely important to me and I believe everyone on the committee should be rewarded for the amazing work they do.

I believe that my new job role as a facilitator for Talk Consent (delivering consent and active bystander workshops in schools) will help me to consider ways in which SASHA can implement welfare for and advocate for change about support for victims/survivors. I will develop and expand my knowledge even further in campaign towards introducing compulsory consent training at the univeristy.

Overall, through my experience with SASHA over the past two years I believe I am well equipped to be president of the society. I am so excited by this opportunity that I could continue to bring new and refreshing ideas to the team and continue to support others and create a safe space for ALL survivors!