Reportage
Bristol protests: the full story, told by those who were there
#KillTheBill — Last weekend, protests erupted into chaos in the South West of England city over a draconian bill that seeks to increase police powers. Politics Editor Ben Smoke speaks to protestors to find out what really happened.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Uni ‘confession‘ pages: a space to discuss sexual assault?
Speaking up — Liberated by anonymity, students across the country are sharing stories of sexual assault online – but just how effective are these spaces in helping survivors overcome their trauma and addressing systemic misogyny?
Written by: Serena Smith
The sex workers fighting Bristol‘s strip club ban
‘It‘s slut shaming‘ — As Bristol prepares to become the biggest city in the country to ban lap-dancing clubs, adult entertainers are calling out the move’s blatant whorephobia and the threats it’ll pose to their safety and livelihoods.
Written by: Sophie K Rosa
How ‘Smack City’ Liverpool halted an HIV epidemic
The Mersey Model — In an oral history, the people at the centre of a pioneering harm reduction approach explain how Merseyside avoided an AIDS crisis among injecting drug users, unlike other parts of the country, which was replicated globally and saved untold lives.
Written by: Ella Glover
Athens is rising up against police brutality
Chaos in the streets — Earlier this month, a video allegedly showing an officer beating a man circulated in Greece. It has since violently unleashed pent-up anger over an out-of-control police force and the government’s mishandling of the pandemic and destruction of democratic rights.
Written by: Alex King
The internet’s substitute mothers are here to help
r/MomForAMinute — As the pandemic leaves people feeling scared and vulnerable, Reddit users are seeking out stand-in mothers for advice, love and comfort – but some experts suggest it might not always be the healthiest coping strategy.
Written by: Jessica Lucas
How the BAFTAs faced up to its problem with race
Behind the scenes — This week, the awards ceremony unveiled its diverse nominations list – a far cry from the overwhelmingly white line-up from last year. But do these changes go far enough, and what will it take for the rest of the industry to follow suit?
Written by: Rory Horne
Inside the soaring Pokémon trade fuelled by lockdown
Gotta Catch Em’ All — With the pandemic triggering widespread nostalgia, many have found themselves returning to childhood favourites like Pokémon, which turned 25 this year. And now, card traders are raking in hundreds of thousands by capitalising on the growing demand.
Written by: Gunseli Yalcinkaya
Is lockdown fuelling a student gambling crisis?
Rolling the dice — Looking for ways to fill the hours, the pandemic has caused a perfect storm for student gamblers. But some fear their habit to alleviate boredom could be spiralling into addiction.
Written by: Serena Smith
TikTokers are using secret hashtags to discuss self-harm
Under the radar — The hashtag #selfharm is censored on TikTok, but that hasn’t stopped users from speaking out about their experiences. While the platform needs to do more to keep young people safe from triggering content, experts stress that the problem runs much deeper than social media.
Written by: Serena Smith
