Student Spotlight
Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Tasha Lovel and Timea Iliffe

Tasha Lovel and Timea Iliffe are the co-chairs of It Happen Here, the anti-sexual violence campaign associated with Oxford SU. They spoke to us about their work, education, support, advocacy and outreach. 

"It Happen Here is an anti-sexual violence campaign associated with Oxford SU. Our campaign is dedicated to moving towards a society free from sexual violence and we do this through education, support, advocacy and outreach. We prioritise survivors and place an emphasis on amplifying their voices. Our committee is made up of elected students, including two Co-Chairs and representatives for male, female, BAME, LGBTQ+, International and disabled students to ensure intersectionality and diversity in our work.

Campaign aims

We aim to create a culture of consent through: the eradication of rape culture, consent workshops, policy changes, support and resources. Currently we’re focusing on banning staff-student relationships across the University, tackling sexual violence in sports clubs and societies, improving and centralising consent workshops, street harassment and safety, and improving policy on sexual violence and potentially harmful content in academic papers.

The campaign also helps run Letters From Survivors, an online platform for all students across the UK to share personal experience of sexual violence. We liaise with a variety of groups across Oxford, including the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service, University Security Services, academic departments, JCR Representatives, the SU Sabbatical Team and other campaigns, student press and other student groups across the University.

Events and resources

Our work also focuses on creating and promoting resources, and hosting welfare, social and other events including vigils; for example, an information event on Friday 28 May with the University’s Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service for JCR representatives and other interested students, to discuss the resources available for those who need them.

Learn more and get involved

We’ve only been in our roles for a couple of months, but have found it an incredibly rewarding experience, and are excited to see what we can achieve in the year ahead. If students are interested in learning more or getting involved in the campaign, they can find us on the Oxford SU website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We also have a Facebook group for volunteers, and have college reps for a number of Oxford colleges. If students are interested in either they can message the Facebook page, or contact either Co-Chair (Tasha Lovel, she/her and Timea Iliffe, she/her) on Facebook or via email.

If there are any projects you or your group would like help, advice, support or resources for, please also feel free to get in touch about a potential collaboration. We can also signpost to relevant resources if you require welfare or other kinds of support."

Timea Iliffe, it happens hereTasha Lovel it happens here

Join the Tackling sexual violence at Oxford talk via Teams on Friday 28 May, 4-5pm