campusreview. com. au
ON CAMPUS
Name & tame sex offenses
Survey collects data on harassment and assault on Australia’ s campuses, and authorities’ responses to incidents.
By Patrick Avenell
The Australian Human Rights Commission has unveiled a survey on the experiences of sexual harassment and assault at Australian universities. It’ s being conducted at the behest of Universities Australia.
This survey – the first of its kind – is the latest chapter in the surge to identify the causes and symptoms of sexual harassment and assault on campuses and eliminate them. It forms part of Universities Australia’ s Respect. Now. Always. initiative, which mandates a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct.
All 39 Australian universities are lending their imprimatur to the survey, which has received seed funding from The Hunting Ground Project, which takes its names from the feature film documentary examining the pervasive rape culture at US college campuses.
“ Our universities want to make it absolutely clear that we have a zero-tolerance policy on sexual assault and sexual harassment,” Universities Australia chair professor Barney Glover says.“ This survey will give us an even clearer picture of further work we need to do. University leaders are determined to use the survey results to keep improving our responses and the support we provide to students who have experienced sexual assault or harassment.”
Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs says:“ The human stories are important, but to develop policy … in a consistent manner nationwide, we need research. [ The survey ] will produce, I believe, scientifically valuable data that allows the vicechancellors then to agree on processes for the future.”
In addition to asking questions about past experiences of harassment and assault, the survey also inquires as to how thoroughly various authorities investigated accusations, and the standard of these responses. Respondents are asked to provide their real names and contact details, though all submissions will be de-identified should the contents be published, and any respondents having their stories published will be contacted in advance.
People wishing to take part in the survey can do so via an online form or by saving and completing a Word document – digitally or via handwriting – and emailing it back to the commission.
Respondents are asked their age, what university they attend, their level of study and their accommodation situation. There are also questions about gender, sexual orientation, disability status and Indigenous and / or Torres Strait Islander status.
What constitutes sexual assault and harassment is outlined by the Human Rights Commission in broad terms:
Sexual assault and sexual harassment can include a range of behaviours, such as
• Unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing
• Inappropriate staring or leering that made you feel intimidated
• Sexual gestures, indecent exposure or inappropriate display of the body
• Sexually suggestive comments or jokes that made you feel offended
• Sexually explicit pictures, posters or gifts that made you feel offended
• Repeated or inappropriate invitations to go out on dates
• Intrusive questions about your private life or physical appearance that made you feel offended or uncomfortable
• Sexually explicit emails or SMS messages
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Repeated or inappropriate advances on email, social networking websites or internet chat rooms by another student or someone employed by the university
• Inappropriate images or film of you distributed on some form of social media without your consent
• Requests or pressure for sex or sexual acts
• Any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
In the open-ended part of the survey, respondents are asked if they have“ experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment at university” and to relate the experience in detail. Then they are asked if they reported the incident and to assess their satisfaction with the response. One issue that has come up repeatedly is the widespread belief that authorities, both the police and university security personnel and management hierarchy, do not take claims of harassment and assault seriously and do not complete investigations with the rigour worthy of them.
Respondents are also asked for their suggestions and recommendations to reduce the prevalence of assault and harassment at universities.“ Do you think there are specific factors that contribute to the prevalence of these incidents at university?” and“ What do you think needs to change?” are two of the questions in this section. ■
The survey can be completed at: http:// goo. gl / QYt8f2
If you feel distress at any time during or after participating in the survey, support is available. Call 1800 737 732, or 1800 RESPECT. In an emergency, call triple-zero.
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