Hello, my name is Kerrie Draghi and I’m a part-time MA student for Creative, Digital and Professional Writing with an elective in Sexual Violence this term. The position I am standing for is Vice-president of Welfare and Equity. I am suited for the role because I am very passionate about feminism, helping to create a world where everyone is treated equally and free from violence. As your full-time Welfare and Equity VP,  I would always listen to and proactively work with you on the issues that students from marginalised groups at London Met face on a daily basis. I aim to create a community at London Metropolitan where all students can be empowered/supported and have their voices heard and respected. 

 My top priorities:

1. To deliver workshops on 1) Consent 2) Public Sexual Harassment, 3) Active Bystander Intervention and 4) Gender Inclusivity to Sports Teams/societies - ensuring that student groups are inclusive to all marganilised groups. 

2. Organise regular coffee mornings with your Welfare and Equity VP that are open to all students of marginalised groups (e.g. women, LGBT+, BAME, disabled) as a safe space to meet other students, discuss your concerns, ideas and how we can best support each other.

3. Campaign for our Vice-chancellor to sign the pledge to stop using Non-disclosure agreements to silence students and staff who report sexual violence at London Met, and to actively work with the university and students to build a more supportive environment for people who experience sexual violence, including drink-spiking and sexual harassment. 

4. Develop frequent drop-in sessions at the SU for mental health support, sexual health and gender-based violence/discrimination support. 

With my passion, commitment and experience, I believe I am the best candidate for the role. Here’s why:

• As an Our Streets Now ambassador at London Met, I already have experience working with members of the SU and university staff to raise awareness for students who experience sexual violence, including writing documents for the university’s advice service on drink-spiking and sexual harassment  and succesfully lobbying for The Rocket to remove from the venue their victim-blaming ‘Don’t get Spiked’ posters (as it is not the victim’s responsibility to not get spiked.) 

• Last year, myself and the current women’s officer hosted a fundraiser bake sale at Holloway SU that raised over £60 for the Women and Girls’ Network, a charity for women and girls who experience gender-based violence. We have another one planned in Aldgate in March, one for Planned Parenthood  in Holloway SU as part of my campaign and I plan on creating a feminist society at LM. 

• Before joining London Met, I volunteered with Women’s Aid, a charity for women and girls who experience domestic abuse, where I found my passion and gained valuable knowledge on why/how domestic abuse happens and how best to support people who are in vulnerable situations and from marginalised groups. 

To learn more about my work, my Instagram accounts are @redrosegrl @porcelaingrrrl and @ourstreetsnow_lmu

Website: https://msha.ke/kerriedraghi/ 

Voting is open from 1st March-midday 4th March at: https://www.londonmetsu.org.uk/elections/2022/