Sexual harassment and assault are never OK. All our students, staff and visitors should feel safe and respected at ACU. We have zero tolerance for sexual harassment and assault, and we expect our staff and students to behave in a manner that is respectful, inclusive and fair on every ACU campus, at all times.
All ACU campuses have 24-hour security services. If you are studying or working after hours, you can contact an ACU Security Officer to escort you around campus, call 8888 or 1300 729 452.
SafeZone app
ACU staff and students are pre-registered to the free SafeZone mobile app. Download the app and use it on campus to call ACU Security, request first-aid, or raise the alarm for emergency help. If the app is used off-campus such as student accommodation, it will direct you to dial Emergency Services (triple zero). SafeZone is monitored 24/7.
Understand the definitions of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Ensure you understand the meanings of consent and rape, and help keep our campuses safe for everyone.
The ACU Consent and Bystander Behaviour video is a resource for students and staff on the meaning of consent and why it is necessary to seek consent:
See ACU’s Code of Conduct for all staff and explore our processes and procedures for dealing with misconduct.
Are your relationships respectful? Have you witnessed disrespectful behavior? Discover indicators of disrespectful or controlling relationships and see the role bystanders play in preventing, or enabling abuse.
If the incident is life-threatening or requires emergency response, please contact the Emergency Services on Triple Zero (000)
Incidents on campus are to be reported to ACU National Security Centre on 1300 729 452 or dial 8888 from an internal ACU phone.
Staff and students are encouraged to attempt to resolve issues informally and at the local level first, if they feel safe to do so. Students can find tips for speaking to someone regarding concerns about their behaviour.
If you are unable to resolve yourissue informally or if you feel unable to discuss the matter directly with the relevant person, you can lodge a formal complaint.
Lodge a complaint (Login to Student Portal) Lodge a complaint – for staff
Find out more about the formal complaints process at ACU.
If you have experienced assault, harassment or just need someone to talk to, we offer free counselling to all students. All our counsellors are social workers or psychologists with a counselling and mental health experience.
Contact your local counsellors (Login to Student Portal)
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free counselling sessions either in person, or over the phone, to staff members and their immediate family who are facing personal and/or work-related issues. The service is confidential.
In addition to ACU counsellors, students can seek external support such as General Practitioner (GP) or the external specialist services listed below.
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre counselling services are free of charge.
Phone: 02 6247 2525 (Daily 7am – 11pm)
Forensic & Medical Sexual Assault Care (FAMSAC), Canberra Hospital
Phone: 02 6244 2222
NSW Rape Crisis
Phone: 1800 424 017 (24/7)
NSW Health Sexual Assault Services Directory
Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Services, Royal North Shore Hospital
Phone: 02 9926 7111
Eastern and Central Sydney Sexual Assault Service, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Phone: 02 9515 9040
Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline
Phone: 1800 010 120 (7.30am - 11.30pm, seven days)
Brisbane Sexual Assault Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Phone: 07 3646 5207
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) – Victoria wide
Phone: 1800 806 292
Ballarat CASA
Phone: 1800 806 292
This groundbreaking initiative was launched by Australian universities in 2016, to prevent, and address, sexual harassment on campus and in the university sector. It aims to:
In late 2016, all 39 universities in Australia participated in a national survey on university student experiences of sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the report surveyed more than 30,000 students from all 39 universities in Australia, including ACU students.
View results from ACU students (PDF, 169 KB)
Understand how to read our students' results (PDF, 300 KB)
Read ACU’s response to the national survey report (PDF, 87KB)
ACU staff and students can access the University’s policies and resources which have been developed to prevent and address discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and assault.
Read more (Login to Student Portal)
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