Guild provided “Little Emergencies” boxes were stolen from bathrooms across Kelvin Grove and Gardens Point campuses, which has impacted the ability for new products to be distributed.
Within two weeks of distributing these new boxes to locations all over the University, filled with pads and tampons, ten out of 12 boxes were stolen.
The boxes were small enough that they could easily fit in a backpack or tote.
The Guild recently changed the large Little Emergencies metal containers for smaller boxes after it was found that people were misusing them. Glass has heard that staff and interns who were refilling these boxes would repeatedly find the containers filled with rubbish, and, one time, urine.
Each of the boxes contained one packet of pads and one box of tampons, and were restocked weekly by student volunteers. While it’s understandable that students are in need in the current cost of living crisis, taking all the products leaves nothing for the next student in an emergency.
The products are free for students to use but the boxes are purchased specifically to distribute the goods. Until new boxes can be purchased, the Guild will not be able to distribute period products in the public bathrooms around QUT.
Period products are still available at HiQ locations, and the Women’s and Queer rooms on both campuses.
If any student urgently requires period products and cannot find them on campus, please come to the Guild offices located at Kelvin Grove in C Block on Level 2 anytime during business hours.
If anyone would like to volunteer to maintain the Little Emergency boxes, please email volunteer@qutguild.com
