national university student survey on sexual assault and sexual harassment

If you need help, or to talk with someone, specialist support is available by calling the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

From the week of 19 September, tens of thousands of Australian university students will be asked to participate in Australia’s first-ever national prevalence survey on university student experiences of sexual assault and sexual harassment. 

The survey will give Australian universities a clearer evidence base to guide further work to prevent and address sexual assault and sexual harassment. It is a critical part of the university sector’s Respect. Now. Always. campaign that aims to  keep university students safe.

The leaders of all 39 Australian universities have asked the Australian Human Rights Commission to investigate the nature and scale of these behaviours. The survey is supported by the National Union of Students and the National Tertiary Education Union. 

1. Students will be randomly selected to complete the confidential anonymous survey via their student email

2. If you aren't selected, you can still have your say by going to humanrights.gov.au/universitysubmissions

All responses will be confidential and the privacy of everyone invited to take part will be protected. No university will ever know whether a student has participated in the survey or what they say. 

Find out more at #RespectNowAlways

History behind the Respect. Now. Always. campaign

In February 2016, Australia's universities launched a major new campaign to prevent and address sexual assault and harassment, in a ground breaking initiative across the sector.

The campaign – Respect. Now. Always. – highlights the determination of Australia’s universities to ensure that our students and staff are safe from sexual assault and sexual harassment.

It builds on work done by individual universities in Australia over many years to develop policies, reporting procedures and support services. 

Hear from former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and other university leaders about the campaign:

The campaign aims to: 

• raise awareness of sexual assault and sexual harassment and lift the visibility of support services for students; 
• obtain data to guide further improvement in university policies and services; and
• assist universities in sharing global best practice resources across the sector​​