New student policy for sexual assault and harassment prevention
The University of Sydney has today adopted a new .
Developed in consultation with the Safer Communities Advisory Group with student representative and expert input, the policy details how the University will support survivors, protect confidentiality and eliminate unacceptable behaviour that does not reflect the University鈥檚 values.
The implementation of the policy was one of the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission and Universities Australia鈥檚 , and follows the release of Universities Australia鈥檚 own guidelines last month.
鈥淚n the past 12 months we have taken some significant steps in collaboration with students, staff and experts in the field to implement the recommendations of the Change the Course report,鈥� said Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence.聽
鈥淭hese steps are part of our ongoing commitment to provide a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all our staff and students.鈥�
The University has also launched a new online portal that allows confidential disclosure of an incident, by a student, without the need to make a formal complaint.
This will allow any student to bring an incident to the University鈥檚 attention and be in control of next steps; whether it is accessing support or initiating a formal reporting process.
The University will continue to make refinements to the portal based on valuable feedback from students and staff, including an upcoming update that will enable anyone to make a disclosure.
鈥淭he portal is one component of our commitment to an improved complaints handling process that puts the needs of survivors first,鈥� said Dr Spence.
Other work undertaken by the University in the last 12 months includes the introduction of a Consent Matters module for all commencing students, bystander training for student leaders, responding with compassion training for staff, and the appointment of two Student Liaison Officers in November last year to help students access support.
The University continues to work with the residential colleges to implement all recommendations outlined in the on cultural renewal and will do the same when St Paul鈥檚 review is released later this year.
鈥淲hile we have made significant progress, there is more we need to do,鈥� said Dr Spence.
鈥淲e will continue to liaise with our students and community to ensure all students feel safe on campus and college grounds at all times.鈥�