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| University sexual assault report: numbers 'damning', students say – live | University sexual assault report: numbers 'damning', students say – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.30am BST | |
| 04:30 | |
| Nick Evershed | |
| Why did people choose not to report sexual assault? | |
| The majority of students who were harassed or assaulted did not make a formal complaint to their university (94% and 87% respectively). Students were also much more likely to seek support from outside the university rather than from the university. | |
| For those who did not make a formal report on harassment, the most commonly cited reason was they did not think it was serious enough (68% of respondents). | |
| However, a significant proportion of students did not report it as they were unaware of how to do so (16%), or who to make the formal complaint to (12%): | |
| The results for not reporting sexual assaults were worse, with 25% of respondents not reporting it as they did not know who they could make a formal complaint to: | |
| This issue was common across all students who responded, with the majority of students (60% and 62% respectively) having little or no knowledge on where to go to make a complaint about sexual harassment or sexual assault. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.31am BST | |
| 4.01am BST | |
| 04:01 | |
| What are the recommendations? | |
| The AHRC report is 264 pages long and very detailed. While we comb through it, here is a summary of its nine recommendations, which can be found in the report starting at page 168. | |
| Recommendation one: Vice-chancellors should take direct responsibility for the implementation of these recommendations, including decision-making and monitoring and evaluation of actions taken. They should also establish an advisory body within their own institution, with representatives from the university’s senior leadership, students, academic staff, affiliated residential colleges, student services and a frontline sexual assault service. That advisory body should publicly report on the university’s progress towards implementation of these recommendations within 18 months of the release of the report, so by the end of 2018. | |
| Recommendation two: Universities must develop a plan for addressing the drivers of sexual assault and harassment which includes education for students and staff about behaviours that constitute sexual assault. Those education programs should target all levels of the organisation and be based on best practice and research, as well as consultation with students | |
| Recommendation three: Universities should widely disseminate information to both students and staff about: how to report sexual assault, the university’s procedures for responding to a report of sexual assault, and available medical and counselling services. | |
| Recommendation four: Within a year of the release of this report, universities should commission an independent, expert-led review of their existing policies and response pathways to sexual assault and harassment to assess the effectiveness so existing policies and make specific recommendations to each university about the best-practice responses to sexual assault and harassment. Internal reviews should occur in the mean time. | |
| Recommendation five: Universities should conduct an assessment to identify staff members and student representatives within their institution most likely to receive disclosures of sexual assault and sexual harassment, and provide those people with training in responding to such disclosures. | |
| Recommendation six: Universities should ensure that information about individual reports of sexual assault and harassment is collected and stored confidentially, including details of steps taken following the complaint, support or assistance received, and time taken for the university respond. Every six months, vice-chancellors should review those de-identified reports to ensure their processes are working correctly and identify any gaps. | |
| Recommendation seven: Within six months of the report universities should conduct an audit of their counselling services to assess their capacity and whether they have received training in working with sexual assault survivors. | |
| Recommendation eight: Universities should engage an independent body to conduct the national university student survey of sexual assault and sexual harassment at three-yearly intervals to track progress in reducing the prevalence of these incidents at a sector-wide level. | |
| Recommendation nine: Residential colleges and university residences should commission a separate, independent, expert-led review of the factors which contribute to sexual assault and sexual harassment in their settings. | |
| Updated | |
| at 4.04am BST | |
| 3.33am BST | 3.33am BST |
| 03:33 | 03:33 |
| Nick Evershed | Nick Evershed |
| Where were students most likely to be assaulted? | Where were students most likely to be assaulted? |
| The report from the AHRC shows that students who were sexually assaulted in the university setting were most frequently assaulted at a social event, such as a university or residence pub crawl or party: | The report from the AHRC shows that students who were sexually assaulted in the university setting were most frequently assaulted at a social event, such as a university or residence pub crawl or party: |
| For sexual harassment in the university setting, the report shows the most frequent location was on public transport: | For sexual harassment in the university setting, the report shows the most frequent location was on public transport: |
| There were some differences between genders also, with males more likely to be harassed in a university teaching space, while females were more likely to be harassed on public transport. Trans and gender diverse students were more likely to be harassed on the university grounds. | There were some differences between genders also, with males more likely to be harassed in a university teaching space, while females were more likely to be harassed on public transport. Trans and gender diverse students were more likely to be harassed on the university grounds. |
| 3.10am BST | 3.10am BST |
| 03:10 | 03:10 |
| The education minister, Simon Birmingham, says he has written to all Australian universities asking for their response to the Australian Human Rights Commission report. | The education minister, Simon Birmingham, says he has written to all Australian universities asking for their response to the Australian Human Rights Commission report. |
| My statement on the @AusHumanRights survey on sexual assault and harassment @uniaus #RespectNowAlways pic.twitter.com/6beKzYmHL2 | My statement on the @AusHumanRights survey on sexual assault and harassment @uniaus #RespectNowAlways pic.twitter.com/6beKzYmHL2 |
| Here’s the heart of that statement: | Here’s the heart of that statement: |
| To ensure our institutions lead the world in tackling these problems I have today written to each university to seek their response to the survey’s findings and recommendations given their legal obligation to provide a safe learning environment ... | To ensure our institutions lead the world in tackling these problems I have today written to each university to seek their response to the survey’s findings and recommendations given their legal obligation to provide a safe learning environment ... |
| Our government will work with universities to ensure they address the findings and recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report and implement changes that will make them safer and more inclusive environments in the future. | Our government will work with universities to ensure they address the findings and recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report and implement changes that will make them safer and more inclusive environments in the future. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.13am BST | at 3.13am BST |
| 3.01am BST | 3.01am BST |
| 03:01 | 03:01 |
| Nick Evershed | Nick Evershed |
| How the university figures compare with other surveys | How the university figures compare with other surveys |
| It’s difficult to directly compare the results of the university report with other surveys that measure the rate of sexual assault, such as those produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as each survey has different methods for collecting and displaying data. | It’s difficult to directly compare the results of the university report with other surveys that measure the rate of sexual assault, such as those produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as each survey has different methods for collecting and displaying data. |
| With that caveat in mind, here are some national figures for some wider context. The 2012 personal safety survey from the ABS found 2.2% of women aged 18 to 24 had experienced sexual assault within the past 12 months. This is consistent with the 2.3% figure of on-campus sexual assaults of females reported in the university survey, but much lower than the 10% figure for all sexual assaults experienced by females in 2015 and 2016. | With that caveat in mind, here are some national figures for some wider context. The 2012 personal safety survey from the ABS found 2.2% of women aged 18 to 24 had experienced sexual assault within the past 12 months. This is consistent with the 2.3% figure of on-campus sexual assaults of females reported in the university survey, but much lower than the 10% figure for all sexual assaults experienced by females in 2015 and 2016. |
| The university report’s rate of sexual assaults is generally higher than those contained in the ABS victims of crime survey for 2016 also, though the same patterns of gender are consistent between both – that is, females are much more likely to be the victims of an assault. | The university report’s rate of sexual assaults is generally higher than those contained in the ABS victims of crime survey for 2016 also, though the same patterns of gender are consistent between both – that is, females are much more likely to be the victims of an assault. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.14am BST | at 3.14am BST |
| 2.55am BST | 2.55am BST |
| 02:55 | 02:55 |
| Call to ‘acknowledge the complicity of universities in the harm suffered by survivors’ | Call to ‘acknowledge the complicity of universities in the harm suffered by survivors’ |
| End Rape on Campus Australia founder and director, Sharna Bremner, says she was “devastated” by comments by Universities Australia today, which she says underplayed the role of sexual assault survivors in bringing the report about. | End Rape on Campus Australia founder and director, Sharna Bremner, says she was “devastated” by comments by Universities Australia today, which she says underplayed the role of sexual assault survivors in bringing the report about. |
| Bremner writes that the AHRC survey began as part of the Hunting Ground Australia project, with Universities Australia joining at a later stage. Even the support hotline, she said, was prompted by lobbying by advocates: | Bremner writes that the AHRC survey began as part of the Hunting Ground Australia project, with Universities Australia joining at a later stage. Even the support hotline, she said, was prompted by lobbying by advocates: |
| As someone who was part of the Australian Human Rights Commission working group, the launch of today’s report was devastating. It wasn’t the data that emerged, however, that was upsetting. We already suspected that’s how the results would look. The true devastation came from listening to the AHRC and Universities Australia’s Margaret Gardner take credit for the work that was done by survivors, students and advocates. | As someone who was part of the Australian Human Rights Commission working group, the launch of today’s report was devastating. It wasn’t the data that emerged, however, that was upsetting. We already suspected that’s how the results would look. The true devastation came from listening to the AHRC and Universities Australia’s Margaret Gardner take credit for the work that was done by survivors, students and advocates. |
| Despite being part of the AHRC working group, I was not provided with a copy of the report until the public was able to access it at 10am today. Universities, however, all received it last week. Enough time to digest the information and release glossy PR statements, telling us that they “take sexual assault very seriously”. It’s disappointing that, at no point during the launch today, did Margaret Gardner acknowledge the complicity of universities in the harm suffered by survivors. | Despite being part of the AHRC working group, I was not provided with a copy of the report until the public was able to access it at 10am today. Universities, however, all received it last week. Enough time to digest the information and release glossy PR statements, telling us that they “take sexual assault very seriously”. It’s disappointing that, at no point during the launch today, did Margaret Gardner acknowledge the complicity of universities in the harm suffered by survivors. |
| True change begins with transparency and an admission that there’s a problem. If universities can’t give credit to survivors for their hard work or even admit that they too have played a role in the harm suffered by students, we may never see that true change eventuate. | True change begins with transparency and an admission that there’s a problem. If universities can’t give credit to survivors for their hard work or even admit that they too have played a role in the harm suffered by students, we may never see that true change eventuate. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.02am BST | at 3.02am BST |
| 2.41am BST | 2.41am BST |
| 02:41 | 02:41 |
| ‘These numbers are incredibly damning’ | ‘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. | 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: | She writes: |
| Fifty-one per cent 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. | Fifty-one per cent 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.50am BST | at 2.50am BST |
| 2.32am BST | 2.32am BST |
| 02:32 | 02:32 |
| Just on that question of under-reporting, here’s a comment from Ellie Greenwood, an ambassador for End Rape on Campus Australia. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.37am BST | at 2.37am BST |
| 2.26am BST | 2.26am BST |
| 02:26 | 02:26 |
| A few responses to that question about whether the methodology of the survey could lead to under-reporting. | 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 | 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 | You are talking about young people at an age when they may not realise they are being harassed, so yes: under-reporting |
| 2.24am BST | 2.24am BST |
| 02:24 | 02:24 |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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: | 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. | ... 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: | That means watching for: |
| ... where lines are crossed into unwelcome and unlawful zones. | ... where lines are crossed into unwelcome and unlawful zones. |
| As Kate Jenkins later explained in more detail, she said residential colleges were: | As Kate Jenkins later explained in more detail, she said residential colleges were: |
| Places where things can go wrong. | Places where things can go wrong. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.30am BST | at 2.30am BST |
| 2.13am BST | 2.13am BST |
| 02:13 | 02:13 |
| A few final questions. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.29am BST | at 2.29am BST |
| 2.09am BST | 2.09am BST |
| 02:09 | 02:09 |
| Methodology corner | 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 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 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.27am BST | at 2.27am BST |
| 1.57am BST | 1.57am BST |
| 01:57 | 01:57 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.10am BST | at 2.10am BST |
| 1.51am BST | 1.51am BST |
| 01:51 | 01:51 |
| Nick Evershed | Nick Evershed |
| Data editor Nick Evershed has been combing through the report. | Data editor Nick Evershed has been combing through the report. |
| 1.46am BST | 1.46am BST |
| 01:46 | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.06am BST | at 2.06am BST |
| 1.40am BST | 1.40am BST |
| 01:40 | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.07am BST | at 2.07am BST |
| 1.38am BST | 1.38am BST |
| 01:38 | 01:38 |
| Recommendations: residential colleges need further review | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.40am BST | 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. | 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 | at 2.10am BST |