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| University sexual assault report: 'degrading' college hazing described – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.59am BST | |
| 05:59 | |
| Calla Wahlquist | |
| I’m going to hand over the reins to my colleague Naaman Zhou, who was at the launch in Sydney today. | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.14am BST | |
| 5.30am BST | 5.30am BST |
| 05:30 | 05:30 |
| Residential colleges particularly high risk | Residential colleges particularly high risk |
| Residential colleges at Australian universities are full of students from regional and remote areas, as well as international students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time. They’re usually co-ed. | Residential colleges at Australian universities are full of students from regional and remote areas, as well as international students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time. They’re usually co-ed. |
| They’re also one of the highest risk places on campus for sexual assault and sexual harassment, according to the AHRC survey. Twelve per cent of women and 3% of men who were sexually assaulted at a university in 2015 and 2016 said it had occurred at a residential college. | |
| The report found that hazing practices at colleges often involved excessive alcohol consumption and humiliating or degrading acts, “and, in many cases, sexual harassment and sexual assault”. | |
| According to one submission: | According to one submission: |
| The aim is to get the freshers as drunk as possible. Maybe a secondary aim is to make them look as ridiculous and embarrassing as possible, giving them costumes, props, and even sometimes smearing food all over them. | The aim is to get the freshers as drunk as possible. Maybe a secondary aim is to make them look as ridiculous and embarrassing as possible, giving them costumes, props, and even sometimes smearing food all over them. |
| Said another: | Said another: |
| You had to participate, there was nothing you could do about it. The administration knew about this and they condoned this. The students had no power whatsoever, you couldn’t say anything. | You had to participate, there was nothing you could do about it. The administration knew about this and they condoned this. The students had no power whatsoever, you couldn’t say anything. |
| Hazing practices described in the report included getting female students to “run the gauntlet”, which meant running down a hallway where male students stood in every doorway with the nozzle of a cask of wine sticking out their fly. | |
| Female students were required to kneel before each male resident and “drink from his sack”. | |
| Another college had a ritual where all first-year female students had to remove their top when a certain song was played. They would be surrounded by male students and unable to leave the dance floor with their top still on. | |
| Other submissions described year-round traditions that focused on residents’ sexual exploits. | Other submissions described year-round traditions that focused on residents’ sexual exploits. |
| Conquests of guys getting girls from other colleges were broadcasted weekly in this gossip session the whole college had, where you would submit your experiences to an executive, and on weeknights we would gather and hear about everyone’s conquests that week ... women were described as objects or trophies. | |
| The report also found that power relationships between resident advisers – usually senior students – and first-year students, as well as the close proximity created by living in residential colleges and the easy access to both alcohol and bedrooms, were contributing factors in the high rates of sexual assault. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.52am BST | |
| 5.14am BST | 5.14am BST |
| 05:14 | 05:14 |
| Dropping out because of sexual assault | Dropping out because of sexual assault |
| In addition to the survey data, the report contains details from almost 2,000 written submissions, mostly from students and former students sharing their experiences of sexual assault and harassment. | In addition to the survey data, the report contains details from almost 2,000 written submissions, mostly from students and former students sharing their experiences of sexual assault and harassment. |
| Some said they dropped out of university to avoid bumping into their attacker. | Some said they dropped out of university to avoid bumping into their attacker. |
| One person wrote: | One person wrote: |
| I left the course and tried studying by distance education but have now been so traumatised by “higher education” institutions that I don’t feel able to set foot into study again. | I left the course and tried studying by distance education but have now been so traumatised by “higher education” institutions that I don’t feel able to set foot into study again. |
| Said another: | Said another: |
| He delayed my education by a year and made me afraid to go to uni and at the time I truly didn’t see how bad the impact he was having on me, not even when I dropped out. | He delayed my education by a year and made me afraid to go to uni and at the time I truly didn’t see how bad the impact he was having on me, not even when I dropped out. |
| The release of the report prompted other people to share their stories. This tweet is posted with the author’s permission. | The release of the report prompted other people to share their stories. This tweet is posted with the author’s permission. |
| The reality of sexual assault and feeling unheard/unwelcome was one of the main reasons I dropped out of my phys/chem undergraduate degree. | The reality of sexual assault and feeling unheard/unwelcome was one of the main reasons I dropped out of my phys/chem undergraduate degree. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.17am BST | at 5.17am BST |
| 5.01am BST | 5.01am BST |
| 05:01 | 05:01 |
| Fact check: who actually initiated this survey? | Fact check: who actually initiated this survey? |
| There has been a fair bit of debate about whether Universities Australia was correct in saying that it commissioned the AHRC survey, when the process began two years earlier with lobbying from the Hunting Ground Project Australia. | There has been a fair bit of debate about whether Universities Australia was correct in saying that it commissioned the AHRC survey, when the process began two years earlier with lobbying from the Hunting Ground Project Australia. |
| One of those who raised this issue is Anna Hush, an ambassador for End Rape on Campus Australia. She was at the launch today. | One of those who raised this issue is Anna Hush, an ambassador for End Rape on Campus Australia. She was at the launch today. |
| She writes: | She writes: |
| We’ve heard a lot today from Universities Australia, the peak body representing all 39 universities. Let’s fact check some of the claims they made. | We’ve heard a lot today from Universities Australia, the peak body representing all 39 universities. Let’s fact check some of the claims they made. |
| Belinda Robinson, the chief executive of UA, wrote an op ed in the ABC yesterday, claiming that ‘vice-chancellors at 39 of our universities asked an independent body [the AHRC]’ to survey students’. However, when the prospect of a national survey was first raised by the AHRC in 2014, residential colleges flat out refused to participate, citing risk to their reputations as a major concern. Indeed, this survey was originally proposed by the Hunting Ground Australia Project, who raised $150,000 in seed funding. Only once it was clear that it would go ahead with or without them, did universities decide to get involved. | Belinda Robinson, the chief executive of UA, wrote an op ed in the ABC yesterday, claiming that ‘vice-chancellors at 39 of our universities asked an independent body [the AHRC]’ to survey students’. However, when the prospect of a national survey was first raised by the AHRC in 2014, residential colleges flat out refused to participate, citing risk to their reputations as a major concern. Indeed, this survey was originally proposed by the Hunting Ground Australia Project, who raised $150,000 in seed funding. Only once it was clear that it would go ahead with or without them, did universities decide to get involved. |
| Hush said many vice-chancellors had been “resistant” to calls for a national survey before making that public commitment. She echoes the words of National Union of Students president, Sophie Johnston: This is not a day for universities to congratulate themselves on what they have done, it’s a day to acknowledge the victims and the enormous amount of work still to do. | Hush said many vice-chancellors had been “resistant” to calls for a national survey before making that public commitment. She echoes the words of National Union of Students president, Sophie Johnston: This is not a day for universities to congratulate themselves on what they have done, it’s a day to acknowledge the victims and the enormous amount of work still to do. |
| Hush writes: | Hush writes: |
| It is only through the hard work of students, survivors and advocates that this issue has been brought into the national spotlight. And glossy press releases aren’t enough from universities – we need to see decisive and rigorous action taken to prevent sexual violence. | It is only through the hard work of students, survivors and advocates that this issue has been brought into the national spotlight. And glossy press releases aren’t enough from universities – we need to see decisive and rigorous action taken to prevent sexual violence. |
| The Hunting Ground Project campaign director, Allison Henry, confirmed that it provided the seed funding in 2015 to support a national student sexual assault survey. | The Hunting Ground Project campaign director, Allison Henry, confirmed that it provided the seed funding in 2015 to support a national student sexual assault survey. |
| Henry says: | Henry says: |
| We would not have this report today but for the thousands of students and former students who participated in the survey or provided a submission. For many, we appreciate that telling their story was a harrowing experience and we thank those survivors for their vital and courageous contribution. We hope that today is a turning point and that the necessary changes will now be implemented. | We would not have this report today but for the thousands of students and former students who participated in the survey or provided a submission. For many, we appreciate that telling their story was a harrowing experience and we thank those survivors for their vital and courageous contribution. We hope that today is a turning point and that the necessary changes will now be implemented. |
| Universities Australia pledged $1m to fund the survey in February 2016 and asked the AHRC to conduct a national survey of Australian university students, as part of the national Respect. Now. Always. initiative. That is the support the UA president, Prof Margaret Gardner, was talking about, when she said UA had commissioned the survey. | Universities Australia pledged $1m to fund the survey in February 2016 and asked the AHRC to conduct a national survey of Australian university students, as part of the national Respect. Now. Always. initiative. That is the support the UA president, Prof Margaret Gardner, was talking about, when she said UA had commissioned the survey. |
| So, who’s right? | So, who’s right? |
| Well, both of them, but it does seem UA might be overselling it by saying it commissioned work that had already begun. | Well, both of them, but it does seem UA might be overselling it by saying it commissioned work that had already begun. |
| According to the sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins: | According to the sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins: |
| The Hunting Ground Australia Project’s advocacy was instrumental in driving this work from its early stages. The Hunting Ground Australia Project also provided the commission with $150,000 in seed funding to conduct the national survey. | The Hunting Ground Australia Project’s advocacy was instrumental in driving this work from its early stages. The Hunting Ground Australia Project also provided the commission with $150,000 in seed funding to conduct the national survey. |
| Universities, though their peak body Universities Australia, contributed the bulk of the funding to conduct the survey, without which the commission would not have been able to implement the survey at all 39 Australian universities. | Universities, though their peak body Universities Australia, contributed the bulk of the funding to conduct the survey, without which the commission would not have been able to implement the survey at all 39 Australian universities. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.12am BST | at 5.12am BST |
| 4.50am BST | 4.50am BST |
| 04:50 | 04:50 |
| How have universities responded? | How have universities responded? |
| The Australian Human Rights Commission may not have provided an embargoed copy of the report to media or advocates, but universities have had it for a week. Their responses, and that of their peak body, Universities Australia, have been quite polished. | The Australian Human Rights Commission may not have provided an embargoed copy of the report to media or advocates, but universities have had it for a week. Their responses, and that of their peak body, Universities Australia, have been quite polished. |
| Some, like the Australian National University, sent a prerecorded video around to all students and staff explaining the findings. | Some, like the Australian National University, sent a prerecorded video around to all students and staff explaining the findings. |
| First off the rank was Universities Australia, which provided its 20-page response under embargo to ensure journalists were familiar with it before the AHRC report was released. | First off the rank was Universities Australia, which provided its 20-page response under embargo to ensure journalists were familiar with it before the AHRC report was released. |
| It announced a 10-point action plan: | It announced a 10-point action plan: |
| What about the universities themselves? | What about the universities themselves? |
| All 39 Australian universities have published the data from the survey that relates to them specifically, and most have already committed to implementing all nine recommendations in the report, as well as the initiatives outlined by University Australia. | All 39 Australian universities have published the data from the survey that relates to them specifically, and most have already committed to implementing all nine recommendations in the report, as well as the initiatives outlined by University Australia. |
| The University of Tasmania (survey results here) has appointed its dean of law, Margaret Otlowski, to the new role of pro-vice-chancellor of culture and wellbeing to oversee its response to the survey. ANU (results here) has appointed external consultants to undertake an independent review of its policies, commissioned former diplomat Donnell Wheeler as chair of its steering group and appointed a full-time rape councillor. Sydney University (results here) has appointed the former sex discrimination commissioner Liz Broderick to work with its residential colleges. | The University of Tasmania (survey results here) has appointed its dean of law, Margaret Otlowski, to the new role of pro-vice-chancellor of culture and wellbeing to oversee its response to the survey. ANU (results here) has appointed external consultants to undertake an independent review of its policies, commissioned former diplomat Donnell Wheeler as chair of its steering group and appointed a full-time rape councillor. Sydney University (results here) has appointed the former sex discrimination commissioner Liz Broderick to work with its residential colleges. |
| Deakin University (results here) has begun delivering more training to frontline staff with the assistance of the Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault. The University of Melbourne (results here) has formed a “respect taskforce”, chaired by deputy vice-chancellor Richard James, and “making the fact that the university finds sexual assault and sexual harassment unacceptable more visible on campuses”. | Deakin University (results here) has begun delivering more training to frontline staff with the assistance of the Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault. The University of Melbourne (results here) has formed a “respect taskforce”, chaired by deputy vice-chancellor Richard James, and “making the fact that the university finds sexual assault and sexual harassment unacceptable more visible on campuses”. |
| A number of universities have either already rolled out compulsory online training in consent and respectful relationships to all students, or announced they plan to do so next year. | A number of universities have either already rolled out compulsory online training in consent and respectful relationships to all students, or announced they plan to do so next year. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.16am BST | at 5.16am BST |
| 4.30am BST | 4.30am BST |
| 04:30 | 04:30 |
| Nick Evershed | Nick Evershed |
| Why did people choose not to report sexual assault? | 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. | 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). | 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%): | 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: | 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 of where to go to make a complaint about sexual harassment or sexual assault. | This issue was common across all students who responded, with the majority of students (60% and 62% respectively) having little or no knowledge of where to go to make a complaint about sexual harassment or sexual assault. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.40am BST | at 4.40am BST |
| 4.01am BST | 4.01am BST |
| 04:01 | 04:01 |
| What are the recommendations? | 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. | 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 5.07am BST | at 5.07am 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.40am BST | at 4.40am BST |
| 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 |