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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2017/aug/01/university-sexual-assault-report-released-live
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| University sexual assault report: half of all students harassed in 2016 – live | University sexual assault report: half of all students harassed in 2016 – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.09am BST | |
| 02:09 | |
| Methodology corner | |
| The AHRC has received a lot of criticism from people who work in the sexual assault support sector about the design of the survey. Firstly, the survey was originally intended to be sent to all university students in Australia but was instead sent to a representational sample of students, and only received 30,000 responses. | |
| The survey questions themselves have also been criticised. The questions relating to sexual harassment were detailed and behaviour based. That is, they listed a number of behaviours that constitute sexual harassment - being groped, catcalled, whistled at - and asked students to nominate if they had ever experienced those behaviours. | |
| The same format was not used for the survey questions relating to sexual assault, which basically meant responders had to nominate whether or not the had been sexually assaulted rather than just identifying behaviours that they had experienced. The concern of advocates is that by not using behaviour-based questions for sexual assault, the prevalence of sexual assault would have been under reported. | |
| Kate Jenkins was asked about the decision to design the survey in that way: | |
| The advice we received at that time was it might be more harmful to ask the same details with regard to sexual assault. | |
| Jenkins said the survey still showed “significant experiences of sexual assault,” and was approved by an independent review, which found the statistics gathered by the survey were consistent with previously reported rates. | |
| She added: | |
| We have absolutely most definitely heard students raise the concern that that might not be the most effective way to do the survey | |
| 1.57am BST | |
| 01:57 | |
| Should we warn parents about this? | |
| The AHRC press conference has moved on to questions, and Kate Jenkins has been asked whether parents should be warned that their students could be exposed to higher rates of sexual assault and harassment, particularly at residential colleges. | |
| Jenkins says yes, both parents and students need to be aware. | |
| The next question is directed at Prof Margaret Gardner. Universities Australia has been heavily criticised for “taking over” the report and for not taking action sooner. | |
| Gardner: | |
| We are very sorry for what has happened to people who are victims or survivors of sexual assault. It is unacceptable. We are committed to taking action to ensure we can better prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment on our campuses and we can provide better support to students who may have been victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment. That is our commitment today and it is a commitment of all 39 universities. | |
| She continues: | |
| There have been things that have happened that are not acceptable … but our commitment here today is we have been listening to what has been said and we are prepared to act. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.10am BST | |
| 1.51am BST | |
| 01:51 | |
| Nick Evershed | |
| Data editor Nick Evershed has been combing through the report. | |
| 1.46am BST | |
| 01:46 | |
| Sophie Johnston, president of the National Union of Students, says universities must acknowledge that “every sexual assault is a tragedy” and that all universities in Australia have handled this issue poorly. | |
| The findings of the report will be confronting for universities, she said, but it will be much more confronting for the “countless” survivors and victims of sexual assault and harassment. | |
| Johnston said: | |
| We will not accept hearing universities congratulating themselves on being slightly below the national averages. | |
| There is nothing to celebrate ... There is nothing to revel in having a few less sexual assaults or rapes than the university next door. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.06am BST | |
| 1.40am BST | |
| 01:40 | |
| The Universities Australia national chair and Monash University vice-chancellor, Prof Margaret Gardner, said Australian universities were committed to implementing change, starting by introducing those 10 initiatives mentioned earlier. | |
| Gardner said universities were committed to working in partnership with students and the AHRC to address the issue. | |
| She also spoke directly to victims: | |
| We are sorry that this happened to you. Sexual assault is a crime. The person who sexually assaulted you had no right to do what they did. It is not your fault. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.07am BST | |
| 1.38am BST | |
| 01:38 | |
| Recommendations: residential colleges need further review | |
| The report made nine recommendations, the most significant of which is a call for an “independent expert-led review” into residential colleges to identify measures to address the high prevalence of sexual assault in that setting. | |
| Other recommendations include: strong and visible leadership from universities with a clear and transparent approach to these recommendations; targeted education campaigns to change attitudes and behaviours to sexual assault and harassment; improved responses to sexual assault and harassment including new reporting measures; and monitoring and evaluating the measures taken by universities to ensure they are evidence-based and effective. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.40am BST | |
| 1.32am BST | 1.32am BST |
| 01:32 | 01:32 |
| Kate Jenkins is running through the damning submissions the AHRC received when compiling the report. The backbone of the report is data from the 30,000 students who completed the sexual assault survey, but it also received 1,849 submissions – a record for the commission. | Kate Jenkins is running through the damning submissions the AHRC received when compiling the report. The backbone of the report is data from the 30,000 students who completed the sexual assault survey, but it also received 1,849 submissions – a record for the commission. |
| The report found “unacceptable rates” of sexual assault and harassment at Australian universities, and particularly, “worryingly”, high rates at residential colleges and on-campus accommodation. | The report found “unacceptable rates” of sexual assault and harassment at Australian universities, and particularly, “worryingly”, high rates at residential colleges and on-campus accommodation. |
| She mentions a student who was harassed and kissed by a lecturer on a bus and was so scared she asked her sister to call her at the same time each day so she could avoid him; a student whose classmate flashed her his genitals in class; and a student who was groped by a classmate. | She mentions a student who was harassed and kissed by a lecturer on a bus and was so scared she asked her sister to call her at the same time each day so she could avoid him; a student whose classmate flashed her his genitals in class; and a student who was groped by a classmate. |
| At residential colleges, she said, sexual assault sometimes occurred on the very first day. She spoke of O-week camps, held for students from regional and remote areas to get to know the fellow students at their residential college before the semester began. | At residential colleges, she said, sexual assault sometimes occurred on the very first day. She spoke of O-week camps, held for students from regional and remote areas to get to know the fellow students at their residential college before the semester began. |
| A woman told us she was raped by a senior student leader who was running one of these camps. She later heard that he had previously raped another student at one of these camps and no action was taken a result. | |
| Jenkins said students said the colleges were aware of the culture that led to high rates of sexual assault and harassment. | Jenkins said students said the colleges were aware of the culture that led to high rates of sexual assault and harassment. |
| Perhaps most worryingly, there was a perception that colleges were aware of this behaviour and they condoned it. | Perhaps most worryingly, there was a perception that colleges were aware of this behaviour and they condoned it. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.10am BST | |
| 1.19am BST | 1.19am BST |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| The sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins, is running through the key findings. | The sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins, is running through the key findings. |
| #ChangeTheCourse @Kate_Jenkins_ 1.6% of students sexually assaulted in a university setting in 2015 & 2016 pic.twitter.com/4nAwyNd7QN | #ChangeTheCourse @Kate_Jenkins_ 1.6% of students sexually assaulted in a university setting in 2015 & 2016 pic.twitter.com/4nAwyNd7QN |
| You can watch the livestream here or read the full report here. | You can watch the livestream here or read the full report here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.10am BST | |
| 1.16am BST | 1.16am BST |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| Half of all university students sexually harassed in 2016 | Half of all university students sexually harassed in 2016 |
| Naaman Zhou | Naaman Zhou |
| The report has been released. My colleague Naaman Zhou has a copy and has sent through this summary of key findings. | The report has been released. My colleague Naaman Zhou has a copy and has sent through this summary of key findings. |
| 51% of all university students were sexually harassed on at least one occasion in 2016. | 51% of all university students were sexually harassed on at least one occasion in 2016. |
| 10% of female students were sexually assaulted in 2015 or 2016. This was three times the rate of male students (2.9%). Women were also twice as likely as men to be sexually harassed. | 10% of female students were sexually assaulted in 2015 or 2016. This was three times the rate of male students (2.9%). Women were also twice as likely as men to be sexually harassed. |
| A quarter (26%) of students were harassed in a university setting – which includes on campus, while travelling to or from university, or at an off-campus event organised by a university. | A quarter (26%) of students were harassed in a university setting – which includes on campus, while travelling to or from university, or at an off-campus event organised by a university. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander students and students with a disability were more likely to be sexually assaulted. | Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander students and students with a disability were more likely to be sexually assaulted. |
| The “vast majority” of students who were sexually assaulted or harassed did not make a formal complaint to their university. Students said they did not know where to make a report, or were unsure of how serious their experience was. | The “vast majority” of students who were sexually assaulted or harassed did not make a formal complaint to their university. Students said they did not know where to make a report, or were unsure of how serious their experience was. |
| Only 6% of students thought their university was doing enough to provide clear sexual harassment procedures. Only 4% thought they were doing enough for sexual assault procedures. | Only 6% of students thought their university was doing enough to provide clear sexual harassment procedures. Only 4% thought they were doing enough for sexual assault procedures. |
| The amount of on-campus sexual assaults was surprisingly low – only 1.6% across both 2015 and 2016. | The amount of on-campus sexual assaults was surprisingly low – only 1.6% across both 2015 and 2016. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.11am BST | |
| 12.59am BST | 12.59am BST |
| 00:59 | 00:59 |
| Watch the livestream of the launch | Watch the livestream of the launch |
| Universities Australia is livestreaming the launch of the report on it website. You can watch it here. | Universities Australia is livestreaming the launch of the report on it website. You can watch it here. |
| UA will announce a range of initiatives in response to the report, as part of the same launch. The bulk of those initiatives are embargoed to 10am but I can tell you two. | UA will announce a range of initiatives in response to the report, as part of the same launch. The bulk of those initiatives are embargoed to 10am but I can tell you two. |
| One: it will develop a “respectful relationships education program” for university students. | One: it will develop a “respectful relationships education program” for university students. |
| Two: it will upgrade or extend first-responder training at universities to more frontline staff, so more staff are trained to respond to sexual assault. | Two: it will upgrade or extend first-responder training at universities to more frontline staff, so more staff are trained to respond to sexual assault. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.33am BST | at 1.33am BST |
| 12.50am BST | 12.50am BST |
| 00:50 | 00:50 |
| Once the report is released we will start sharing reaction and comments from students, survivors and people working in this sector. | Once the report is released we will start sharing reaction and comments from students, survivors and people working in this sector. |
| If you want to share your story, email me at calla.wahlquist@theguardian.com. If you’re happy for me to share it here, please say so, otherwise all details will remain in confidence. | If you want to share your story, email me at calla.wahlquist@theguardian.com. If you’re happy for me to share it here, please say so, otherwise all details will remain in confidence. |
| Alternatively you can share your thoughts with me and everyone else on Twitter. I’m @callapilla. | Alternatively you can share your thoughts with me and everyone else on Twitter. I’m @callapilla. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.51am BST | at 12.51am BST |
| 12.43am BST | 12.43am BST |
| 00:43 | 00:43 |
| Sophie Johnston, president of the National Union of Students, is one of those who received a briefing about the report yesterday. She told ABC news this morning that the results were “heartbreaking”. | Sophie Johnston, president of the National Union of Students, is one of those who received a briefing about the report yesterday. She told ABC news this morning that the results were “heartbreaking”. |
| ... after decades and decades of silence from so many victims, to actually hear the voices and see these stories is very confronting. | ... after decades and decades of silence from so many victims, to actually hear the voices and see these stories is very confronting. |
| You can read Johnston’s full comments here: | You can read Johnston’s full comments here: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.11am BST | |
| 12.37am BST | 12.37am BST |
| 00:37 | 00:37 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.31am BST | at 1.31am BST |
| 12.28am BST | 12.28am BST |
| 00:28 | 00:28 |
| If you find today's media coverage distressing, support is available. pic.twitter.com/aZfNoLIvqE | If you find today's media coverage distressing, support is available. pic.twitter.com/aZfNoLIvqE |
| 12.22am BST | 12.22am BST |
| 00:22 | 00:22 |
| ‘Today belongs to you’ | ‘Today belongs to you’ |
| End Rape on Campus Australia launched a powerful campaign on Saturday featuring the voices of survivors of sexual assault. The campaign is called #BelieveSurvivors | End Rape on Campus Australia launched a powerful campaign on Saturday featuring the voices of survivors of sexual assault. The campaign is called #BelieveSurvivors |
| It posted a message of support on Facebook this morning urging them not to let universities take credit for the release of the AHRC report, which it says is the result of months of student campaigning. | It posted a message of support on Facebook this morning urging them not to let universities take credit for the release of the AHRC report, which it says is the result of months of student campaigning. |
| It says: | It says: |
| Whether you took part in the survey, made a submission, reported to your university, or not: we believe you. Whether you’ve told your story publicly or if you’ve never told anyone at all: we believe you. We stand with you. You are not alone. | Whether you took part in the survey, made a submission, reported to your university, or not: we believe you. Whether you’ve told your story publicly or if you’ve never told anyone at all: we believe you. We stand with you. You are not alone. |
| Irrespective of what you hear in the public statements, news coverage and media releases, today belongs to you. We didn’t arrive here because of the “bravery” of universities, or the determination of vice-chancellors. We got here because of the strength and determination of survivors and their allies. Today belongs to you. | Irrespective of what you hear in the public statements, news coverage and media releases, today belongs to you. We didn’t arrive here because of the “bravery” of universities, or the determination of vice-chancellors. We got here because of the strength and determination of survivors and their allies. Today belongs to you. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.30am BST | at 1.30am BST |
| 12.15am BST | 12.15am BST |
| 00:15 | 00:15 |
| What can we expect? | What can we expect? |
| According to the briefing given to some stakeholders yesterday, the report will make a number of statistical findings before making nine recommendations. Eight of those recommendations will be aimed at universities themselves, while one will be aimed at non-university-owned residential colleges. | According to the briefing given to some stakeholders yesterday, the report will make a number of statistical findings before making nine recommendations. Eight of those recommendations will be aimed at universities themselves, while one will be aimed at non-university-owned residential colleges. |
| The key findings, Guardian Australia understands, are: | The key findings, Guardian Australia understands, are: |
| Women are sexually assaulted at higher rates than men | Women are sexually assaulted at higher rates than men |
| LGBTIQ people, particularly trans people, are sexually assaulted at a much higher rate than women | LGBTIQ people, particularly trans people, are sexually assaulted at a much higher rate than women |
| More than half of people who reported being sexually assaulted knew the perpetrator | More than half of people who reported being sexually assaulted knew the perpetrator |
| About two-thirds of perpetrators are male | About two-thirds of perpetrators are male |
| Post-grad students are more likely to have been sexually assaulted by a staff or faculty member | Post-grad students are more likely to have been sexually assaulted by a staff or faculty member |
| The majority of sexual assaults occur at residential campuses/on-campus accommodation, or at university parties | The majority of sexual assaults occur at residential campuses/on-campus accommodation, or at university parties |
| The majority of reported cases of sexual harassment occurred on public transport | The majority of reported cases of sexual harassment occurred on public transport |
| About three-quarters of university students had never witnessed sexual assault or harassment, and of those who had two-thirds took no action | About three-quarters of university students had never witnessed sexual assault or harassment, and of those who had two-thirds took no action |
| This is certainly not an exhaustive list of all the findings made by the Australian Human Rights Commission. It’s also not particularly surprising to anyone familiar with studies on the prevalence of sexual assault. As one stakeholder said: there’s nothing new here. | This is certainly not an exhaustive list of all the findings made by the Australian Human Rights Commission. It’s also not particularly surprising to anyone familiar with studies on the prevalence of sexual assault. As one stakeholder said: there’s nothing new here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.30am BST | at 1.30am BST |
| 11.56pm BST | 11.56pm BST |
| 23:56 | 23:56 |
| Sexual assault on campus report to be released today | Sexual assault on campus report to be released today |
| Calla Wahlquist | Calla Wahlquist |
| The Australian Human Rights Commission will release its long-awaited report on sexual assault at university campuses at 10am. | The Australian Human Rights Commission will release its long-awaited report on sexual assault at university campuses at 10am. |
| The report is being launched in Sydney, at a joint event with Universities Australia, the peak body representing Australia’s 39 universities. All of those universities received a full copy of the report last week but no one else, including media, victims’ groups, or even people who were part of the working group, has been given a copy. | The report is being launched in Sydney, at a joint event with Universities Australia, the peak body representing Australia’s 39 universities. All of those universities received a full copy of the report last week but no one else, including media, victims’ groups, or even people who were part of the working group, has been given a copy. |
| Some stakeholders who represent victims’ groups received a one-hour briefing yesterday, and have told Guardian Australia they were not impressed. | Some stakeholders who represent victims’ groups received a one-hour briefing yesterday, and have told Guardian Australia they were not impressed. |
| We’ll get into those key findings and some of that criticism in a moment, but first, survivors of sexual assault should know that this blog will contain details and first-person accounts of sexual assault, and could be triggering. | We’ll get into those key findings and some of that criticism in a moment, but first, survivors of sexual assault should know that this blog will contain details and first-person accounts of sexual assault, and could be triggering. |
| Universities Australia has set up a hotline to help people affected by the release of the report. It is 1800 572 224. | Universities Australia has set up a hotline to help people affected by the release of the report. It is 1800 572 224. |
| Alternatively, you can call 1800 RESPECT, the sexual assault and family violence support line. That’s 1800 737 732, or online counselling here. | Alternatively, you can call 1800 RESPECT, the sexual assault and family violence support line. That’s 1800 737 732, or online counselling here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.45am BST | at 12.45am BST |