National Student Safety Survey

This is an important survey for ACU as it gives us valuable information on which to base new initiatives and strategies for addressing issues of student safety and wellbeing.

Participation in the survey will help ACU to protect students and future students. No matter your circumstances, views or experiences, your participation in the survey is important as it will help ensure the results of the study accurately represent the experiences of students at our university.

The evidence is clear. Sexual assault and sexual harassment occur right across our society. Universities are not exempt from that. One in five women in the Australian community over the age of 15 have experienced sexual violence. Universities like ACU have an important role to play in preventing sexual violence from happening and to find out the best ways to respond to survivors with compassion and support.

When someone experiences sexual misconduct the person, they choose to talk to plays a vital role in their support. When someone discloses such personal information to you, it is important that you remain calm and reply with a safe response to sooth their possible feelings of fear, discomfort, or anxiety. You are not expected to have all the answers, it is just important that you make them feel safe, heard, and supported.  

It can be difficult to know how to respond and you may be unsure about how to help. Remember to Listen, Reassure an and Respect. Below are some guidelines that may assist you.

Hearing another person’s experience of sexual misconduct can be difficult and it is normal to be impacted by this experience. It is important you take time to recognise signs that you are being impacted and know that support is available for you too.

Access support services

Listen

• Remain calm.
• Move to a suitable environment, free of distractions.
• Refrain from asking why questions such as “why were you walking alone?”
• Don’t talk about your own experiences
• Allow the individual to use their own words.
• Give the victim your full attention.
• Don’t interrupt them

Reassure and support

• Acknowledge the strength and courage of the individual.
• Reassure the individual that it is OK that they have told you what has been happening.
• Nod occasionally to show understanding and support
• Use phrases like “I’m here for you”, “Thank you for telling me”, “You’re not alone”

Respect

• Respect that this individual may only reveal some details.
• Ensure that the individual does not feel rushed or panicked.
• Explain what will happen next using language the individual will understand.
• Respect the individuals wishes if they do not wish to make a formal report 

What to avoid

• Asking too many or leading questions.
• Expressing judgement, shock, panic, anger, or disbelief.
• Dismissing, minimising, or challenging the disclosure.
• Confronting the perpetrator.
• Providing legal advice.

To report a disclosure of sexual misconduct to ACU please visit the Respect and safety: Safe campuses webpage

If you require further information and support, please email respectandsafety@acu.edu.au

ACU has implemented a range of initiatives to ensure students safety and to prevent harm. Some key initiatives that ACU has implemented include:

• Establishment of a Respect.Now.Always Advisory Committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and President. The committee oversees the implementation of the Respect.Now.Always Action Plan and provides advice and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor Advisory Committee on initiatives to promote and facilitate safe, inclusive and equitable student experiences on all ACU campuses and at all university-endorsed activities.
• Creation of the ACU consent video to identify what constitutes consent and respectful relationships.
• ACUNSA presidents are trained and educated on 'Respectful relationships'.
• Staff who work directly with students, and who are more likely to receive disclosures about sexual misconduct, are provided with additional training and support to ensure a person-centred response and referrals to appropriate services.
• Independent review conducted of student accommodation.
• The adoption of best-practice guides from Universities Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission, Our Watch, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), resulting in the development and implementation of ACU’s Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy and Procedure.
• All students living in ACU student residences undertake an induction program, which includes understanding consent and respectful relationships.  

To view more initiatives undertaken by ACU in the university’s response to the Australian Human Rights Commission, visit the Respect and safety: Safe campuses webpage.