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| One in four women at University of Sydney colleges is sexually harassed, study finds | One in four women at University of Sydney colleges is sexually harassed, study finds |
| (11 days later) | |
| A disturbing picture has emerged of life at Sydney University’s elite colleges where excessive alcohol consumption is expected and one in four women experience sexual harassment. | A disturbing picture has emerged of life at Sydney University’s elite colleges where excessive alcohol consumption is expected and one in four women experience sexual harassment. |
| The study by the former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick reveals a “huge drinking culture” in which students say they are pressured to drink and to have sex to fit in, while feeling intimidated about reporting even serious incidents such as sexual assault. | The study by the former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick reveals a “huge drinking culture” in which students say they are pressured to drink and to have sex to fit in, while feeling intimidated about reporting even serious incidents such as sexual assault. |
| The report, Cultural Renewal at the University of Sydney Residential Colleges, was commissioned by the university and five colleges – St Andrew’s, St John’s, Wesley, Women’s and Sancta Sophia – after several incidents that have put colleges in the news. | The report, Cultural Renewal at the University of Sydney Residential Colleges, was commissioned by the university and five colleges – St Andrew’s, St John’s, Wesley, Women’s and Sancta Sophia – after several incidents that have put colleges in the news. |
| Overall, the research found that 49% of students agreed there was a “big drinking culture” at college and 13% (15% of females) reported pressure to drink when they didn’t want to. | Overall, the research found that 49% of students agreed there was a “big drinking culture” at college and 13% (15% of females) reported pressure to drink when they didn’t want to. |
| One in four women reported sexual harassment, including unwanted kissing, touching and cornering them, with most of it occurring within their own college. | One in four women reported sexual harassment, including unwanted kissing, touching and cornering them, with most of it occurring within their own college. |
| “The boys can be rough and violent when drunk. Although they see it as playful and just between each other, it can hurt others/damage property and it’s intimidating,” one student at St John’s reported. | “The boys can be rough and violent when drunk. Although they see it as playful and just between each other, it can hurt others/damage property and it’s intimidating,” one student at St John’s reported. |
| “Hearing them come down your corridor when they’re drunk is scary and you can feel too afraid to leave your room and go to the bathroom in case they start picking on you.” | “Hearing them come down your corridor when they’re drunk is scary and you can feel too afraid to leave your room and go to the bathroom in case they start picking on you.” |
| The five colleges have immediately undertaken to implement the 23 recommendations, which include better controlling alcohol at college bars, ensuring more women are in leadership positions, and ensuring a zero tolerance policy towards hazing and sexual harassment. | The five colleges have immediately undertaken to implement the 23 recommendations, which include better controlling alcohol at college bars, ensuring more women are in leadership positions, and ensuring a zero tolerance policy towards hazing and sexual harassment. |
| They have also pledged to overhaul reporting procedures for sexual assault, and there will be a review in three years to assess progress. | They have also pledged to overhaul reporting procedures for sexual assault, and there will be a review in three years to assess progress. |
| A sixth college, the all-male St Paul’s, which made headlines in 2009 for having a pro-rape Facebook page, and which refused to participate, has agreed to come on board and will be subject to a review by June 2018. | A sixth college, the all-male St Paul’s, which made headlines in 2009 for having a pro-rape Facebook page, and which refused to participate, has agreed to come on board and will be subject to a review by June 2018. |
| Broderick and her team spoke to 630 students and former alumni and conducted a survey which had a 69% response rate. | Broderick and her team spoke to 630 students and former alumni and conducted a survey which had a 69% response rate. |
| Broderick said she was not surprised by the results, having reviewed other organisations. While most reported a sense of belonging in college, for some it was a “challenging experience and, on occasions, unsafe”. | Broderick said she was not surprised by the results, having reviewed other organisations. While most reported a sense of belonging in college, for some it was a “challenging experience and, on occasions, unsafe”. |
| As well as an overall report, reports of individual colleges were released on their website. | As well as an overall report, reports of individual colleges were released on their website. |
| Among the most disturbing was the report on St Andrew’s college. | Among the most disturbing was the report on St Andrew’s college. |
| The survey revealed that 23% of women at St Andrew’s experienced sexist remarks directed at them, significantly higher than the experience of women across all five residential colleges (14%). | The survey revealed that 23% of women at St Andrew’s experienced sexist remarks directed at them, significantly higher than the experience of women across all five residential colleges (14%). |
| Most sexual harassment occurred within the St Andrew’s residence or grounds, with a small number also occurring at a different University of Sydney College residence or grounds. | Most sexual harassment occurred within the St Andrew’s residence or grounds, with a small number also occurring at a different University of Sydney College residence or grounds. |
| “For St Andrew’s women, the most common forms of sexual harassment included ‘unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing’ (18%); ‘inappropriate physical contact’ (12%); ‘sexually suggestive comments or jokes that made you feel offended’ (11%); ‘intrusive questions about your private life/physical appearance that made you feel offended’ (11%); ‘sexual gestures, indecent exposure or inappropriate display of the body’(6%); ‘inappropriate commentary, images or film of you distributed on some form of social media without your consent’ (6%) and ‘inappropriate staring or leering that made you feel intimidated’ (6%),” the report found. | “For St Andrew’s women, the most common forms of sexual harassment included ‘unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing’ (18%); ‘inappropriate physical contact’ (12%); ‘sexually suggestive comments or jokes that made you feel offended’ (11%); ‘intrusive questions about your private life/physical appearance that made you feel offended’ (11%); ‘sexual gestures, indecent exposure or inappropriate display of the body’(6%); ‘inappropriate commentary, images or film of you distributed on some form of social media without your consent’ (6%) and ‘inappropriate staring or leering that made you feel intimidated’ (6%),” the report found. |
| Nine female survey respondents (8%) and 2% of men surveyed had experienced actual or attempted sexual assault. This was in line with the overall figures. | Nine female survey respondents (8%) and 2% of men surveyed had experienced actual or attempted sexual assault. This was in line with the overall figures. |
| Also of concern was the fact that 32% of students surveyed at St Andrew’s reported experiencing “bullying or intimidation”, “hazing”, or “pressure to participate in activities that were humiliating or intimidating to you or other students”, significantly higher than 19% of surveyed students across the five residential colleges. | Also of concern was the fact that 32% of students surveyed at St Andrew’s reported experiencing “bullying or intimidation”, “hazing”, or “pressure to participate in activities that were humiliating or intimidating to you or other students”, significantly higher than 19% of surveyed students across the five residential colleges. |
| “There was a view from some students that hazing at St Andrew’s is not serious and that people do not have to participate in any activities which make them feel uncomfortable,” the report said. | “There was a view from some students that hazing at St Andrew’s is not serious and that people do not have to participate in any activities which make them feel uncomfortable,” the report said. |
| “It’s actually fun. It’s just part of college culture and … therefore not an issue and not necessary to report.” | “It’s actually fun. It’s just part of college culture and … therefore not an issue and not necessary to report.” |
| However, an alternative perspective of hazing was also provided: “Once you begin an activity, leaving it is very difficult. In those situations where I have feared that I may be physically hurt … there is little choice whether to participate or not.” | However, an alternative perspective of hazing was also provided: “Once you begin an activity, leaving it is very difficult. In those situations where I have feared that I may be physically hurt … there is little choice whether to participate or not.” |
| St Andrew’s big drinking, male sport-oriented culture also came up. | St Andrew’s big drinking, male sport-oriented culture also came up. |
| “Many women at Andrew’s are too scared or uncomfortable with challenging the authority of these men,” one respondent said. “I actually refuse to attend Rawson and Rosebowl events because I am so offended by the chants that get sung at those events … [They] are derogatory about women … [and] about the gay and lesbian community.” | “Many women at Andrew’s are too scared or uncomfortable with challenging the authority of these men,” one respondent said. “I actually refuse to attend Rawson and Rosebowl events because I am so offended by the chants that get sung at those events … [They] are derogatory about women … [and] about the gay and lesbian community.” |
| A similar theme emerged in the St John’s College report. “There is overt masculinity that’s in your face. It can be uncomfortable. Fresher boys want to impress the older boys so they degrade the girls,” one student said. | A similar theme emerged in the St John’s College report. “There is overt masculinity that’s in your face. It can be uncomfortable. Fresher boys want to impress the older boys so they degrade the girls,” one student said. |
| All the colleges reported strong pressure to to drink alcohol, and the project team has recommended that college bars be put under outside management and that buying alcohol with college funds be prohibited. | All the colleges reported strong pressure to to drink alcohol, and the project team has recommended that college bars be put under outside management and that buying alcohol with college funds be prohibited. |
| At Women’s College women reported a sense of empowerment within the college, but this did not translate into less pressure to “ hook up” with fellow students. | At Women’s College women reported a sense of empowerment within the college, but this did not translate into less pressure to “ hook up” with fellow students. |
| There was also criticism of the college leadership. Twenty per cent of Women’s College students surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that “student leaders have too much power over other students” (on par with female students across the five residential colleges). | There was also criticism of the college leadership. Twenty per cent of Women’s College students surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that “student leaders have too much power over other students” (on par with female students across the five residential colleges). |
| “There is a pecking order. The senior students come in [to the dining room] and you move or let them help themselves first. The superiority [with] year groups is intimidating but has gotten a lot better this year,” was one comment. | “There is a pecking order. The senior students come in [to the dining room] and you move or let them help themselves first. The superiority [with] year groups is intimidating but has gotten a lot better this year,” was one comment. |
| Wesley and Sancta Sophia fared slightly better. | Wesley and Sancta Sophia fared slightly better. |
| The project found that 30% of Sancta Sophia students surveyed agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “drinking alcohol helps me to socialise and make friends at college” (significantly lower than across the five residential colleges (49%). Only 4% reported experiencing “hazing”. | The project found that 30% of Sancta Sophia students surveyed agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “drinking alcohol helps me to socialise and make friends at college” (significantly lower than across the five residential colleges (49%). Only 4% reported experiencing “hazing”. |
| The vice-chancellor of Sydney University, Michael Spence, acknowledged that the report revealed “embedded cultural challenges”, particularly those that relate to alcohol consumption and the experiences of women at college. | The vice-chancellor of Sydney University, Michael Spence, acknowledged that the report revealed “embedded cultural challenges”, particularly those that relate to alcohol consumption and the experiences of women at college. |
| The project did not look at the governance arrangements in colleges, which ensure boards and councils are heavily weighted toward alumni. These have been seen as entrenching college culture and contributing to the colleges’ inability to tackle the problems. | The project did not look at the governance arrangements in colleges, which ensure boards and councils are heavily weighted toward alumni. These have been seen as entrenching college culture and contributing to the colleges’ inability to tackle the problems. |
| But Spence issued a veiled warning that the NSW education minister, Rob Stokes, was watching progress and could change legislation that governed colleges if there was not sufficient progress on cultural change. | But Spence issued a veiled warning that the NSW education minister, Rob Stokes, was watching progress and could change legislation that governed colleges if there was not sufficient progress on cultural change. |
| Last week Stokes introduced legislation to overhaul the 160-year-old laws that govern St John’s. | Last week Stokes introduced legislation to overhaul the 160-year-old laws that govern St John’s. |
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