Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • Our Staff
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Keep it clever
    • Teaching, Learning & Funding
    • Research & Innovation
    • International
    • Diversity & Equity
    • Safety & Wellbeing
    • Health
    • Copyright
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
    • University Profiles
    • Teaching Calendar
    • University Contacts
    • University Startup Hubs
    • Student Safety – Contacts
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
Study in Australia
©2021
Site by ED.

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 1 August 2018

RESPECT. NOW. ALWAYS. - 800 MAJOR STRIDES FORWARD AND MORE TO COME

Another 800 major actions and initiatives have been instigated by Australian universities over the past year to contribute to a society-wide push against sexual violence.

A year on from a national university-funded student survey, all 39 universities have continued to enhance student support services, university policies and prevention programs.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said sexual violence affects every society worldwide — and Australian universities were determined to help tackle this global challenge.

“With 1.3 million students and more than 100,000 staff in our sector, we know our collective efforts to prevent violence can have a ripple effect across entire societies,” Ms Jackson said.

“Universities and their frontline staff have been working to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault for decades – but the Respect. Now. Always. initiative has brought the sector together to make even greater inroads,” she said.

“Student safety is our utmost priority. This work doesn’t stop. It’s an ongoing process to be renewed and repeated at the start of each year when 300,000 new students join our community,” she said.

“Our strong message remains the same: every student has the right to feel safe, and to be safe.”

The 800-plus initiatives include activities such as:

  • respectful relationships and consent education programs;
  • greater access to specialist counselling for students and staff;
  • increased visibility and access to support and emergency lines through websites, social media, and student guides;
  • improved orientation and pre-arrival information for international and residential students;
  • upskilling counsellors and support staff;
  • first responders and bystanders training for students and staff;
  • new streamlined online reporting tools and de-identified, confidential data collection;
  • enhanced engagement with sexual violence services, police and transport authorities;
  • major reviews of policies and procedures, including creating standalone policies on sexual assault and sexual harassment;
  • awareness campaigns and student-led initiatives;
  • campus-specific safety and emergency apps; and
  • new initiatives and partnerships with residential colleges and accommodation providers.

Last week Universities Australia released a set of Guidelines for university responses to reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment: UA Guidelines (2).

The guidelines form part of UA’s 10-point Action Plan that includes the development of tailored training resources, specialist professional development for counsellors, and respectful relationships education.

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
18 December 2020

Universities congratulate new Education Minister

Universities Australia has congratulated Alan Tudge on his appointment as Minister for Education and Youth following the Federal Cabinet reshuffle announced today.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
9 December 2020

Walker report on freedom of expression released

Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities have reiterated the sector’s commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of inquiry following today’s publication of the Walker report.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
19 November 2020

UA welcomes Peter Coaldrake as TEQSA Chief Commissioner

Universities Australia today welcomed the appointment of Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO as the new Chief Commissioner of the tertiary sector regulator.

Read more
See All Media
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Popular Search Terms

  • Business & Community
  • Careers & Staffing
  • Indigenous
  • International
  • Resources & Regulation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Governance
  • Research
  • Students & Teaching
  • Student Income Support
  • Teaching Calendar
©2021
Site by ED.
Universities Australia Logo


Australian Aboriginal Flag Flag of the Torres Strait Islanders

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Facts & Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact

Get in touch

  • 1 Geils Court
  • Deakin ACT 2600
  • T: +61 2 6285 8100

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
©2021 - Site by ED.
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index