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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)
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‘These numbers are incredibly damning’
Abby Stapleton, national women’s officer at the National Union of Students says the report shows that sexual assault and harassment is occurring at levels universities simply cannot ignore, marking a turning point for students and survivors of sexual assault.
She writes:
Fifty-one of students are harassed at university and 6.9% are sexually assaulted or raped. These numbers are incredibly damning and indicate the extent of the institutional failings of Australian universities.
Ninety-four per cent of students who were sexually harassed did not report to their university, 87% of students who were sexually assaulted or raped did not report to their university. This is perhaps the strongest evidence to argue for change and reform at university, an issue that student activists have been campaigning on for decades. This low reporting rate is strongly attributed to inadequate and ineffective reporting mechanisms at university. Students simply don’t know where to seek help.
Survivors also do not report because so often universities choose to support the perpetrators rather than the victim, university management would rather sweep sexual assault under the carpet than take steps to prevent it.
This is simply not good enough, universities have failed to protect students and provide vital support to survivors. Universities need to acknowledge their short comings and apologise to the students who have been left unprotected.
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Just on that question of under-reporting, here’s a comment from Ellie Greenwood, an ambassador for End Rape on Campus Australia.
The report shows that a significant number of survivors indicated that they didn’t report to the university because they didn’t think the issue was “serious enough” or because they “didn’t need help” from their university. Universities might say that this demonstrates that they aren’t doing anything wrong, but that’s not the case.
It is common for sexual assault survivors to downplay what happened to them. Many don’t identify their experiences as sexual assault even if they were. It is also common for survivors to struggle to reach out for support because of the stigma associated with sexual assault, and because they don’t want to be a burden to others. In the case of universities, it is common for survivors not to know that their university has the responsibility or ability to provide them with support. Thinking that an assault wasn’t “serious enough” to report to the university might mean that the survivor believes that the university won’t think it is “serious enough”, even if it has had a significant impact on them.
Universities that are serious about encouraging reporting of sexual assault will take these results as an impetus to provide more holistic support to survivors, as well as to make it clear what other action the university can take. If survivors feel truly supported by their universities, and believe their university will take action on their behalf, we might see a rise in reporting.
Greenwood is one of a number of advocates invited by Guardian Australia to share their thoughts on the survey in this blog. If you’d like to do the same, email me at calla.wahlquist@theguardian.com
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A few responses to that question about whether the methodology of the survey could lead to under-reporting.
The harm has been done anyway! Ugly Qs are hard indeed but if you dont ask about the ugly, you wont know about it. Underreporting is worse. pic.twitter.com/nLHR29sdCE
You are talking about young people at an age when they may not realise they are being harassed, so yes: under-reporting
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Before we get into the responses and reaction to the report, I want to go back and look at the introductory comments from Rosalind Croucher, the new president of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
It was quite an interesting speech.
Croucher said the overwhelming feeling she got from the report was the importance of support from bystanders – friends, peers, fellow students – both in helping victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment come forward, and in changing the culture so those behaviours were no longer acceptable. It was, she said, not unlike the sentiments seen in anti-bullying campaigns, or from survivors of family violence.
She said:
They want to feel safe. They want to feel respected. And they want others to acknowledge the pain of their experience. They want others to support them in their healing. And they want things to change so others were not subjected to what they were, and this means a change in culture.
She said cultural change “has a long horizon and happens incrementally” and required universities to:
... understand the difficulties and delicacies of sexual exploration at a time when young people are spreading their wings both personally and intellectually.
That means watching for:
... where lines are crossed into unwelcome and unlawful zones.
As Kate Jenkins later explained in more detail, she said residential colleges were:
Places where things can go wrong.
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A few final questions.
Prof Margaret Gardner is asked if universities would look at stripping the degrees of people who were convicted, after they graduated, of a sexual assault that occurred on campus while they were students.
Gardner says they have not “fully debated” that issue but it will be looked at as part of a broader investigation into responses to student misconduct. The exact rules and punishments will be up to each individual university to decide and administer.
Kate Jenkins is asked what effort was made to engage international students in the survey.
She says a number of international students were sent the survey, as part of efforts to get a representational sample of respondents, but the survey was only available in English.
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Methodology cornerMethodology 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 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 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 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.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: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.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. 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: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 We have absolutely most definitely heard students raise the concern that that might not be the most effective way to do the survey.
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Should we warn parents about this?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.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.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.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: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.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: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.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.
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Nick EvershedNick Evershed
Data editor Nick Evershed has been combing through the report.Data editor Nick Evershed has been combing through the report.
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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.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.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:Johnston said:
We will not accept hearing universities congratulating themselves on being slightly below the national averages.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.There is nothing to celebrate ... There is nothing to revel in having a few less sexual assaults or rapes than the university next door.
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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.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.Gardner said universities were committed to working in partnership with students and the AHRC to address the issue.
She also spoke directly to victims: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.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.
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Recommendations: residential colleges need further reviewRecommendations: 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.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.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.
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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.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.
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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
You can watch the livestream here or read the full report here.
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Half of all university students sexually harassed in 2016
Naaman Zhou
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Watch the livestream of the launch
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.
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.
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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.
Alternatively you can share your thoughts with me and everyone else on Twitter. I’m @callapilla.
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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.
You can read Johnston’s full comments here:
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If you find today's media coverage distressing, support is available. pic.twitter.com/aZfNoLIvqE
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‘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
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:
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.
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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.
The key findings, Guardian Australia understands, are:
Women are sexually assaulted at higher rates than men
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
About two-thirds of perpetrators are male
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 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
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.
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Sexual assault on campus report to be released today
Calla Wahlquist
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.
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.
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.
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