Published: Tuesday 1st August 2017

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) today released the results of a national survey of sexual assault and sexual harassment of university students.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) has joined all 39 Australian universities participating in the national project, and has published its institutional report today.

We are serious about the safety and wellbeing of students, and the University has taken a number of steps to ensure all its campuses were places of safety and respect.

Sexual harassment, sexual assault or violence will never be tolerated at ACU.  Our ACU mission has central to it the dignity of the human person and the common good. These matters are core to enacting our Mission and each of us has a responsibility to create and maintain a safe ACU community.

This project has been an important opportunity to consider our approach to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment. It is part of our regular practice to review these regularly, and we can ensure that there are services in place to support any student or staff member who discloses or reports any such incidents.

Initiatives ACU has undertaken include:

• A review and upgrade of policies, procedures and guidelines
• Awareness and prevention programs to communicate with students and staff throughout the year
• Establishment of an advisory committee for consultation and advice: representatives include students, staff and a member of NSW Police
• Introduction of training for ACU counsellors, with development of broader staff training underway
• Provision of increased resources, information and support services: including adoption of the SafeZone app, enhanced CCTV services and increased access to drop-in counselling services

Resources will continue to be reviewed and developed as an ongoing commitment.

ACU is also partnering with other Australian universities in a national campaign led by Universities Australia. The Respect. Now. Always campaign highlights the determinations of Australia’s universities to ensure students and staff are safe from sexual assault and sexual harassment.

We are committed to responding to the survey results which may lead to improvements to our policies and service enhancements. Some of the recommendations address activities we have already undertaken as part of our standard business practice and we are looking at implementing the others. The University is also working with UA on implementing its 10-point action plan.

The AHRC findings released today combined with our own review will strengthen ACU’s approach to preventing and responding to sexual assault and harassment.

The results of the survey of ACU students can be read here

Media coverage of the issue may be traumatic for a student who has experienced sexual assault, and the release of a major report like this may unearth dormant trauma among our students.

Information on the Student Portal (https://www.studentportal.acu.edu.au/respect) provides guidelines in relation to reporting sexual assault or harassment, definitions, internal/external support, resources with access to relevant policies and procedures.

It is important that staff are familiar with this information and know how to respond to a report of sexual assault/sexual harassment by a student.

We have planned for increased availability of counsellors for drop-ins to provide for any additional demand for support/counselling at this time.

CONTACT DETAILS

If the incident is life-threatening or requires emergency response, please contact the Emergency Services on triple zero (000).

National support line (available during the academic year): 1800 572 224

ACU National Security Centre: 1300 729 452 or 8888 from an internal ACU phone.

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