Abertay Students Outraged Over JIMs Speaker Session

Enraged by controversial Abertay University lecture, students have voiced their opinions.

On the 28th of October, the Director of JIMs (Justice for Innocent Men Scotland) gave a talk to students at Abertay University’s Criminology Lecture. 

JIMs Scotland is a group that focuses on the lack of fair trials for men, and their campaign is centred around fighting for justice, transparency, and much needed reform in the legal system.

Marzena Paszkowska, the Director of JIMs, was invited by Dr Stuart Waiton, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at Abertay University.

The talk focused on the story of JIMs, how new corroboration rules have shifted justice away from evidence and toward ideology, the feminist lobbying that now shapes policing and prosecution culture and the human toll of wrongful convictions.

Internationally Renowned Activist Ellie Wilson shared her views about JIMs via her Instagram. She said: 

“JIMs claims to campaign for fair trials and argues that it doesn’t harass victims, but that’s not true. On the JIMs website and social media, you’ll find examples of victims being named and subject to horrific insults.”

“JIMs members have published victims’ identities, personal details, and even their medical records. Some members have even turned up to court to intimidate witnesses”.

This talk has sparked outrage amongst students and members of the public. Abertay Student Amelia Szyrowska said: 

“I think that’s absolutely shocking. I don’t know how the Uni allowed that to happen, as some of the people there could have been victims of rape, and that could have been very triggering to them.”

On 29th October, Abertay University released a statement on JIMs speaker, saying “The JIMS speaker session reported in the press was not approved by the senior management team, and the group’s views do not reflect those of Abertay University.”

It was followed by: “The speaker session was linked to a criminology module where students were required to critically explore criminal justice systems. We believe it is vital that our students are given opportunities to engage with challenging or controversial views and that we have a responsibility to equip them with the academic and critical thinking skillsets required to confront difficult issues in order to drive positive social change.”

An Abertay student who wishes to stay anonymous said that: I think that the people who gave that talk should have been researched on more, before giving a talk to students, especially because students are impressionable, and we pick up things.”

“I understand that there will be innocent men, not everyone will be guilty of the crime they’re accused of, but for a woman to be giving that talk, who’s actually a partner of someone who’s a convicted rapist, that gives the wrong idea.”

Principal Professor Liz Bacon issued a statement on the external speaker session, saying that: 

“We are reviewing our external speaker approval processes as a result, and I want to also directly address this matter with you, recognising that it has caused concern for students and staff and also in the wider community. An investigation into the issues raised on this matter has already begun.

It was further expressed that: “the language, content and general approach publicly promoted by members of JIMS is not in alignment with our strategic values statement to be both inclusive and caring, or our commitment to fostering an environment where disclosures of gender-based violence can be freely reported.”

Students want the university to take accountability and take action against Dr Stuart Waiton. This incident has affected their views of the University as a whole. When asked about their opinions on the staff and senior management, a student said: 

“This is absolutely shocking, it should not be allowed, and it’s changed my mind on the management of Abertay. I feel like this could be a deal-breaker for some people who want to come and study here, seeing that something like this is being allowed in the uni.”

The Lecturer, Stuart Waiton, was spotted at the JIMs protest in June in Edinburgh, giving a speech, in which he said:

“The criminal justice system seems really politicised; it seems to be influenced heavily by a kind of victim feminism in terms of academics, and then, of course, you have the attempt to get rid of the jury.”

Dr Stuart Waiton wrote a blog titled: Do civil rape cases mark ‘destruction of justice’? In which he stated:

“This feminist ideology that has been adopted by the government stems from a belief that we live in a patriarchal society based on gender inequality, enforced by men, who have power, over women, who do not.”

The majority of Abertay University Students display an opposing view against Dr Stuart Waiton. University Students Joel, Matteo and Harry said:

“That’s terrible. How did that even happen? The fact that a member of staff set it up, they need to rethink who they hire and how they hire them.”

In a Facebook post, JIMs stated that: “We also knew that our visits to Abertay University would spark debate.” This was followed by:

“We want to thank Dr Waiton for allowing us this opportunity, and we encourage all of you to reach out to The Principal and show your support for Dr Waiton.”

When students were asked about their thoughts on JIMs, David and Jake said: 

These things obviously do happen where innocent men get convicted, but if they’ve been to trial, they’ve been convicted, they’re no longer innocent, they’ve been through the system. There’s not really any argument behind that, to be honest.”

Another student who wishes to remain anonymous said:

“They should not be an organisation; they should be banned, abolished!”

Opinion from TJJ Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Connor Bertie:

The majority of students from both Abertay and Dundee Universities seem to be completely against even the idea of this lecture taking place.

So, to reiterate what some have said above: how was this allowed to happen in the first place?

Secondly, they must have expected the amount of backlash to be enormous, which it certainly has been. This begs another question: why on earth did Dr Waiton and Director Paszkowska believe this to be a good idea? Especially with the former’s unemployment being demanded for in consequence.

Abertay University should likely reconsider who and what they host in the future.