Australia’s Vice-Chancellors, through our peak body Universities Australia (UA), commissioned the 2021 National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) released today to inform an ongoing effort to build equitable, safe and inclusive learning experiences for students.
The survey is a key component of UA’s sector-wide Respect. Now. Always. initiative, aiming to prevent sexual violence in university communities and support those who have been affected.
QUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education Professor Robina Xavier said this survey actively sought out information on the issue to allow us to make positive changes.
“Almost 940 QUT students took part in the survey, as part of more than 43,800 students nationally, and we thank each of them for their involvement,” Professor Xavier said.
“QUT recognises that every person who attends university has the right to be safe and feel safe, and to believe they will be treated with respect, dignity and fairness.
“It is disappointing that any student experiences sexual harassment or sexual assault, as even one incidence is one too many,” Professor Xavier said.
“We continue to work hard to improve, making practical changes including creating dedicated harassment and discrimination advisers who take a trauma-informed approach to supporting victims and survivors.
“Other measures have included improving the accessibility of online and telephone resources to support people seeking to report complaints or to seek assistance,” she said.
Key results for QUT were similar to the national picture.
The overall rate of sexual harassment experienced in a university context for QUT respondents was 20.4 per cent since starting university, and 11.8 per cent in the past 12 months.
The overall rate of sexual assault experienced in a university context for QUT participants was 4.3 per cent since starting university and 0.9% in the past 12 months.
Professor Xavier said one area in particular that warrants further attention is continuing to improve students’ knowledge of where to go to make a complaint about or seek assistance for sexual harassment or sexual assault.
The report found about 58 per cent of QUT students had little or no knowledge of where to go to make a complaint about harassment, and about 55 per cent had little or no knowledge of where to go to seek support.
About 61 per cent of QUT students had little or no knowledge of where to go to make a complaint about sexual assault, and about 51 per cent had little or no knowledge of where to go to seek support.
“The survey indicates that despite our best efforts to improve safety on campus with initiatives such as improved security and introduction of the Safe Zone App, there is more to be done,” Professor Xavier said.
“We will continue to develop further training and other measures to ensure students understand what is expected of them and to address any behaviours inconsistent with our zero tolerance for sexual harassment or sexual assault.
“We will also explore ways to increase awareness of how to report or seek support for incidences of sexual harassment or sexual assault.
“We know that today’s report may be distressing for many in our community and encourage anyone requiring assistance to reach out to our support services team,” Professor Xavier said.
The NSSS report is available here.
Media contact:
Maureen Frame, QUT Media and Communications Manager, 07 3138 2361, m.frame@qut.edu.au
After hours: media@qut.edu.au, or 0407 585 901.
