Blog: St Andrews University on External Partnerships
The University of St Andrews has partnered with the Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre (FRASAC) since October 2021. We provide ring-fenced funding in order to provide students with access to a dedicated specialist support worker, three days per week, in St Andrews. This relationship with FRASAC allows students to access crisis and ongoing support, not only from the dedicated support worker, but from the wider organisation so that students are not waiting longer than the general population.
Students have the choice of accessing the specialist support directly, or via a university referral. The specialist support worker is not directly employed by the University, however they undertake relevant and required university training, join meetings with Student Services colleagues, have knowledge of key university policies in order to provide advice and signposting to students, and work with the university to enhance services and advise on communications relating to sexual violence. Information about a student is only shared by FRASAC with the university upon written consent.
Our students have responded positively about the support offered, including the expert advice, including legal advice, high quality counselling, help with processing trauma, and the safe, non-judgemental and comforting environment in which support is provided.
Students have commented that they are able to better recognise what may upset or trigger them, and are able to find ways that make them feel better in such situations. They are able to better process difficult events and change their mindset in order to support themselves. They feel listened to, and recognise they are not to blame for what has happened to them.
This partnership approach aligns with several areas of the University and Students’ Association Student Mental Health Agreement, specifically how we support our diverse student communities, notably campaigns to tackle Gender Based Violence and to work with specialist referral services, and also in enhancing awareness of our support services, including accessing crisis support.
Our partnership approach was included in our successful submission to the EmilyTest Charter.
For further information on how students can be supported by FRASAC, please refer to our Access Support page.
