VC STATEMENT
Statement from Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett
University of the Sunshine Coast
Results from the 2021 National Student Safety Survey
Content warning: The below contains discussion of sexual assault and sexual harassment
Universities and their partners play an important role in preventing sexual violence from happening in our communities, and to find the best ways to respond with compassion and support.
On behalf of its members, Universities Australia called on the Social Research Centre to conduct the 2021 National Student Safety Survey because we want to know the scale and nature of university student experiences of sexual assault and sexual harassment, so we can take actions to address them.
We are immensely grateful to all 1,244 USC students who completed this survey and for sharing their stories to help us continue to make our community a safe space.
We will use information from this survey to inform an update of our Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) action plan.
One concerning finding across Australia, and that is also reflected at USC, is that very few students who had experienced sexual assault or harassment in a university context made a formal report or complaint to their university. This means we need to do better at encouraging people to come forward.
If an action made a student feel uncomfortable or unsafe – whether it is a comment, a touch, a look, a hug, loitering, intrusive questions about appearance or private life – we encourage our students to report it and know that they will be taken seriously by USC.
Not all of the experiences are occurring in a university-specific context. Many of them are outside of the grounds – however any instances are unacceptable and we have a responsibility to continuously improve student safety – and their feeling of safety – both on and off the campus grounds.
We are pleased to have this latest information that can help show us where further improvements can be made.
In response to a similar survey in 2016, USC implemented many improvements to student safety. We established the Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) taskforce, which includes students and staff along with representatives from specialist sexual assault counselling and support service Laurel Place, the USC Student Guild and the Queensland Police Service.
The Taskforce meets regularly to review and update USC’s approach in responding to instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment.
We understand that conversations about the NSSS and its results can be distressing for members of our university and wider community.
Student Wellbeing services are available 24 hours a day, with duty counsellors available to provide support to students after hours, including anything that arises from this information.
Support services for students and staff
Whether you are a staff member, student or a member of the public, please use the below tools to report and seek support.
Survey results
2021 National Student Safety Survey – University of the Sunshine Coast
Support available
Any member of the USC community who has experienced or witnessed any concerning behaviours is encouraged to contact the Safer Communities to seek support or report your concerns.
If any student has experienced sexual assault or harassment on or off campus, we encourage them to report or seek support.
We also encourage all members of the USC community to find out more. The Respect. Now. Always. campaign raises awareness in the USC community of the role we all have in promoting fairer, safer and respectful campuses.
Students and staff who need immediate support on campus can contact SafeUSC or call 07 5430 1168. In an emergency, call 000 (Triple Zero).
Student Wellbeing provides a variety of trauma-informed services and resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of students at all USC campuses.
Student Wellbeing services are available 24 hours a day, with duty counsellors available to provide support to students after hours, including anything that arises from this information.
07 5430 1226
Staff Wellbeing and Counselling Program
Staff wellbeing and counselling support is available through the Employee Assistance Program.
1300 687 327
Other organisations that support include:
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732, or 1800respect.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14, or lifeline.org.au
QLife: 1800 184 527, or qlife.org.au
MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78, or mensline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636, or beyondblue.org.au
Australia-wide university support and safety services (listed through Universities Australia)