On Wednesday, 30 March the Cayman Islands Government Office in the United Kingdom (CIGO-UK) presented a Virtual Yard Meeting entitled Safeguarding, UK: Sexual Assault – Myths, Facts & Help, with United Kingdom-based Caymanians in mind, particularly university students. Guest speakers included Sam Beckett from Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS), Stephanie Reardon of LimeCulture, Joanne Beilby, the Safeguarding Manager for the North Yorkshire Police, and Emelia Spencer, the National Sexual Assault Referrals Centre (SARC) and Secure Estate Director for Mountain Healthcare. Also in attendance was Dr. Karina Palmer from the Women’s Health Clinic at Health Services Authority in Grand Cayman, and Carolina Ferreira, Deputy Director for the Cayman Islands Red Cross, amongst a host of professionals, parents, and students.

From training specialists on the front line, to the step-by-step process of attending to victims’ needs, to assessing quality standards when dealing with reported cases of sexual violence across the UK, Safeguarding discussions revealed the holistic approach these agencies in Yorkshire are taking to ensure victims of all ages and from all walks of life are treated with the care and attention they need to navigate life after sexual violence.

Noting that more funding is spent on aftercare than preventative measures it was also stated that this is ‘evening out’. Media reports on recent cases of assault, rape and homicide, as well as police handling of reports and the complaints process were also part of the talks, with notable contributions from attendees on media coverage.

Agencies were thorough in their explanations on how they operated individually and together, and through their intimate dealings with the public, were all working towards dispelling myths about why sexual violence occurs. They also shared how the UK university system has made progress with regard to providing SVLOs – Sexual Violence Liaison Officers – though the reality is that many still do not have these front line resources in place. Still, it was noted that awareness has grown throughout various sectors in the country including sports organisations, and there has been a positive uptake in training and allocation of resources to support staff and clients affected by sexual violence.

While the session ran close to two hours, it was recognised that more time could be allocated for such a sensitive and important subject as it garnered much interest from attendees. It is hoped that another session, at a time most convenient for university students in the UK, will be offered later in 2022.