Card that compares women to dogs sold at student union

Beware of the dog

A card that compares women to dogs has been removed from sale at Leeds student union, after a student complained on Twitter.

The card, which features a picture of a dog and the headline 'beware of the dog' reads: 'She may look sexy in those hot pants, but she's probably got chlamydia'.

Everything sold in the student union gift shop is approved by the student exec team, made up of six elected student officers.

What is sold in the union shop has been of interest recently, after Leeds students voted to ban the sale of the Sun because of its page three photographs.

Leeds students also successfully campaigned to get a student club night called Tequila closed down, because it released a promotional video that encouraged students to 'violate a fresher'.

Nehama Figueiredo, a student at Leeds, says: 'With those conversations going on, the card seemed at odds with the union's values. Everything that's sold in the union has to be approved and, whether or not they saw that particular card, it shows that we need to be more careful about what we sell in our shops.

'It was surprising that it was being sold in the gift shop in particular, because they sell lovely things like wrapping paper, cards and tickets for events.'

Bradley Escorcio, union affairs officer, told Leeds Student newspaper: 'The exec were comfortable with the range more generally, and felt it was up to students if they chose to purchase from it or to raise it as a concern.'

Campaign against 'revenge porn'

A campaign against 'revenge porn' has started at York after a university student had naked photos of herself posted online by a disgruntled ex.

The photos were shared on Facebook and a porn website where users are encouraged to upload explicit photos of their ex, accompanied by degrading comments.

'I've considered changing my name and dropping out completely,' said the victim in Nouse student paper. 'I just can't focus on my work, I'm having to switch to a part-time course.'

Heather Robertson, a friend of the victim, has started an online campaign against revenge porn, with over 1,000 signatures at the time of writing.

She says: 'The anonymity that comes with the internet is largely the problem. People can post what they like, to whom they like. with no fear of consequences. This is an issue that largely affects women and shames them for being 'sluts' when in fact they are merely victims of a bad break up.'

Saskia Papadakis, women's officer at the University of York's student union, said in Nouse student paper: 'We wholeheartedly support the campaign to ban revenge porn. Revenge porn is abusive and hugely destructive, and it is vital that victims are able to fight back against the individuals who post photos without permission, as well as sites that host this material.'

'Wages not wine' at Cambridge

On Sunday, Cambridge University students protested outside King's College holding 'wages not wine' placards, after it was revealed last week that the university spent nearly £3m on wine last year.

At King's College, £338,559 was spent on wine last year, according to Cambridge News. Students from King's living wage campaign gathered in the rain to protest, saying that the money would be better spent paying staff a decent wage. The group says the college currently employs over 100 on less than the living wage.