A charity created in memory of a young woman whose life was cut heartbreakingly short is leading the charge to protect students across Scotland’s colleges and universities.
EmilyTest, founded after the death of undergraduate Emily Drouet, has been awarded more than £200,000 by the Scottish Government to continue its powerful work tackling gender-based violence in education.
The charity’s mission is clear and urgent: to stop abuse before it starts, to support those affected, and to help institutions take real responsibility for student safety.
This year’s funding will help drive further engagement with the EmilyTest Charter, an ambitious and practical set of standards designed specifically for further and higher education settings.
The Charter is already making waves.
Seven institutions across Scotland have been awarded for meeting its robust criteria, and many more are actively working towards it.
Rape Crisis Scotland will also receive £45,000 to support parallel work with colleges and universities, aimed squarely at preventing violence before it happens.
This funding signals a broader pledge from the Scottish Government to root out gender-based violence in every corner of society.
First Minister John Swinney paid heartfelt tribute to the work of Fiona Drouet, Emily’s mother and the driving force behind the charity.
He said:
“Violence against women and girls remains a blight on our society and societies around the world.
“In some cases, it can lead to young lives being cut tragically short.
“That was what happened to Emily Drouet.”
He continued:
“I am proud that the Scottish Government helped EmilyTest create its Gender-Based Violence Charter, the only initiative of its kind in the UK.
“Given their obligation to keep students safe, I am pleased that many of Scotland’s colleges and universities have engaged with the Charter.”
Mr Swinney described tackling gender-based violence as a personal and political priority, adding that education and prevention must go hand in hand if real change is to be made.
Fiona Drouet, Founder and CEO of EmilyTest, responded with gratitude and determination.
“I want to sincerely thank the First Minister and his Government for their unfaltering commitment to tackling gender-based violence in universities and colleges,” she said.
“Students are the occupational group most at risk, which is why this work is vital.
“With support from the Scottish Government, we are able to help institutions take meaningful action in prevention, intervention and support.”
She added that early evidence shows the charity’s framework is already creating lasting change, and this progress would not be possible without strong government backing.
Emily’s story, and her family’s tireless work in the wake of unimaginable loss, has sparked a movement that is changing lives.
Thanks to this renewed commitment, that movement continues to grow.
