One year on from a hallmark assessment of sexual assault and harassment, we have implemented a range of measures to reduce unacceptable behaviour and protect staff and students.
August 1 was the one year anniversary of UNSW Sydney’s participation in the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) survey on sexual assault and sexual harassment. The survey results and accompanying recommendations were a hallmark step in helping Australian universities address these unacceptable behaviours.
One year on, UNSW has built on existing measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students and staff, implementing the nine recommendations of the AHRC Change the Course report. Some of the University’s initiatives include:
- Conducting extensive face-to-face and online training for staff and students on the prevention of and responses to sexual misconduct.
- Establishing an accredited First Responders network of staff members and student representatives across the University to ensure processes are compassionate, consistent and robust.
- Developing a portal for reporting sexual assault and sexual harassment, capturing de-identified information, with easy to find information on how to report and where to go for immediate and long-term support.
- Completing an independent external review of UNSW’s policies and procedures around preventing and responding to sexual assault, sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour.
- Launching UNSW’s Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy, developed in consultation with students, staff, accommodation providers, unions, and expert counselling and medical staff.
For a complete list of UNSW initiatives read our response to the AHRC report.
UNSW’s Professor Eileen Baldry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Inclusion and Diversity, said the sector is united in its resolve to prevent sexual assault and harassment and support those who have experienced these behaviours.
“Among UNSW initiatives, is compulsory training for our students living on campus. Developed in partnership with the Gendered Violence and Research Network, the training helps students understand what consent is and recognise and speak out against disrespectful behaviour,” Baldry said.
“We have a collective of powerful advocates from staff and student groups across the University and I thank them for their contributions to our policy and this enormous body of work.
“Sexual misconduct is unacceptable at UNSW and we are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every student, staff member and visitor to our campuses.”
The university-funded survey released in 2017, and new guidelines for university responses to sexual harassment and sexual assault, released 20 July 2018, form part of the Universities Australia 10-point Action Plan and the national Respect. Now. Always. initiative.
If this story raises any issues for you, or you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct, help is available for students here student.unsw.edu.au/harassment and for staff who may need to report an incident, go to: https://feedback.unsw.edu.au/reportsexualmisconduct/
Note: The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Town Hall will be held at The Roundhouse on Monday 20 August, 2:00 - 3:00pm. Register here.
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