As your student executive team, we fully support students’ right to choose.
We have heard from a lot of students expressing their views on the potential formation of the Students for Life Society, including a petition. We want to be clear that we understand why this issue has prompted such strong and emotional responses, particularly for students who have experienced reproductive injustice, gender‑based violence, or who feel that their bodily autonomy is being debated rather than respected.
LUU and the University are in support for bodily autonomy and for access to safe, legal abortion. These are fundamental rights and are in line with the law. They are central to our values as a students’ union and underpin our commitment to liberation, equality, and the safety and wellbeing of our members.
We also recognise that many students’ concerns go beyond the existence of a proposed society and speak to the potential impact this could have on students’ sense of safety, belonging, and inclusion on campus. Those concerns are valid. Feeling safe, respected, and supported at university is not optional, and we take seriously the harm that can be caused when people’s rights and lived experiences are challenged.
Leeds University Union is a charity that operates within a legal framework that governs how student societies are formed. Under this framework, LUU cannot legally prevent a society from applying to form solely on the basis of its views, even where those views are deeply opposed by students. This is not a choice made by LUU, and it does not reflect endorsement or agreement. The Union does not endorse the beliefs of any society through affiliation; affiliation simply allows students with shared interests to organise within the same framework that applies to all student groups.
Any society that is formed must operate within the law and within LUU’s policies. This means they must not engage in behaviour that is intimidating, discriminatory, misleading, or harmful, and there are clear routes for accountability and action if those standards are breached. Harmful speech can be reported through the report and support services.
We strongly affirm students’ right to organise, to express opposition, and to protest peacefully. Student voice is central to LUU, and collective action, including petitions, is a legitimate and powerful way for students to make their views known.
We remain committed to listening to students, to supporting those affected by this situation, and to continuing to work towards a campus that is safe, inclusive, and rooted in respect for bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. We support reproductive health choices of students. This year we have prioritised tackling gender-based violence:
- Started a making misogyny a hate crime campaign
- Made LUU an Endometriosis-friendly Union
- Restarted Reclaim the Night ensuring Students were at the heart of this campaign
- Created International Women’s Week at LUU which highlighted reproductive justice
- Worked on supporting Women+ in Sport to provide more opportunities for women in leadership positions and access to safe, accessible physical activity options
- Committed to supporting reproductive choice of students through LUU Better Forum Policy which passed On the 9th March a motion to support the reproductive choice of students was passed with funding set aside to escalate the policy
We will continue to centre student welfare and liberation in how we respond to complex and sensitive issues like this.
If you or a friend are experiencing a crisis or is struggling as a result of this situation, support is available through LUU and the University. This includes access to wellbeing and advice services, signposting to specialist support, and confidential conversations with trained staff who can help students think through next steps and options. No student should feel they have to manage this alone, and seeking support is always valid.
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