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Respect Now Always

In response to the Respect Now Always initiative begun by Universities Australia and the Change the Course Report published by the Australian Human Rights Commission, AC has undertaken sector-wide good practices to ensure our community is safe, inclusive and well informed about matters of welfare.

AC is committed to providing a safe on-campus and online student learning environment which includes:

  • a dedicated team to oversee AC’s prevention and responses to Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) and Student Wellbeing. This team has initiated a project that aims to ensure AC is performing best practices in promoting a safe College community. Executive Committee oversees the implementation of this project.
  • Professional Development for all AC administration and academic staff, including HETP staff, on responding to disclosures of SASH.
  • Central location for all Professional Development session recordings in the Faculty Handbook.
  • A commitment to partnering with the Australian and state governments in the ‘Stop it at the Start’ initiative. AC seeks to clearly identify disrespectful attitudes and behaviours and proactively talk and teach about loving and caring relationships.

If you experience harassment, bullying, unlawful discrimination or assault (sexual or otherwise) AC recommends:

  • You seek support from a trusted source such as a family member, counsellor, campus pastor, student support team member, or an external provider; 
  • You seek to appropriately limit the number of people you inform so that any investigations are impartial and your own privacy is protected;
  • You report the incident by making a complaint using the Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) Incident Form. This can be done independently, or with the help of a trusted AC staff member (such as a student support team member or first responder); 
  • If you are not satisfied with the way your complaint is dealt with, you can seek further advice from an outside agency such as the Human Rights Commission or the Equal Opportunity Commission (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA) or other relevant government agency;
  • Students and staff members may choose to report the incident to the police. In the case of an emergency please dial 000 for the police, fire or ambulance. If the situation is not an emergency please call your local police station or you can make a report in-person at your nearest station. You may wish to make a formal report, or draw upon the informal or anonymous reporting options offered by the different state police forces. You can take a support person with you when making a report to the police.  

AC has a number of staff members who are trained as ‘First Responders’ to students and staff who wish to discuss any matter that may be difficult or traumatic. You can contact them here: studentsafety@ac.edu.au. First responders will: 

  • Support you by listening to what you choose to share – their first priority is your wellbeing 
  • Show you the available support services;
  • Show you how to report – to AC and/or to the police;
  • Maintain confidentiality of the complainant and the accused except for reporting to College Health & Safety Officer and police (where legally required).
  • If desired, connect you to a counsellor trained in assisting those who have experienced SASH.
External Support Services

Rape and domestic violence services Australia

NSW Rape Crisis – 1800 424 017 – Available 24/7 

Domestic & Family Violence Counselling Service – 1800 222 387 – 8am-8pm AEST Monday – Friday

Sexual Assault Counselling Australia – 1800 211 028 – 8am – 11pm AEST 

Online counselling http://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/Get-Help/Our-Services/Online-Counselling

RESPECT

1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 – Available 24/7 Australia-wide

Online counselling https://chat.1800respect.org.au/webmodules/chat/initialinformation.aspx