At UniSQ, we encourage everyone to play an active role in creating a culture of respect and safety. To help you get started, explore our range of resources and information.
Resources and information
Self-help
There are many ways that you can attempt on your own, or with a friend, to resolve or respond to an issue that you are experiencing. If you feel worried or unsafe in taking these steps on your own, you can share a concern, where you can receive support to address your concerns informally or advice around escalating your worries to a formal student grievance.
The Safer Communities Action Plan provides a map of initiatives being implemented by UniSQ to prevent and address concerning and unwanted behaviours within the higher education environment. Safer Communities' objectives include promoting a culture of safety and respect, providing clear and transparent policies and procedures for reporting unwanted behaviours, and delivering evidence-based interventions and specialist support to the UniSQ community.
UniSQ offers several short courses that will grow your understand of how respect is actioned at the University.
Respect module
This short online module created by UniSQ will deepen your understanding of sexual assault and sexual harassment and the role each of us have to play in creating a safe and respectful community at UniSQ.
Student access: Respect at USQ
Staff access: Respect @ UniSQ
Mate module
This short online module will provide you with an entry level understanding of gender equality and gendered violence as well as equipping you with the skills to be an active and safe bystander where you might witness inappropriate or concerning behaviours.
Students access: MATE
Staff access: MATE
Mate Workshops
Student Wellbeing facilitate live Mate Workshops in person and online throughout the year.
Upcoming sessions are listed below or for more information contact supportforlearning@unisq.edu.au
It’s important to note that there can be many policies and procedures that apply in resolving concerns of unwanted and inappropriate behaviours. We know that understanding these policies and procedures can be tough, especially when you’re experiencing something concerning. You can share a concern and we can support you to understand your options.
Some relevant policies and procedures include:
In September 2021 Australian Universities launched the second National Student Safety Survey which collected data on the scale and nature of university student experiences of sexual assault and sexual harassment. View analysis of responses and institutional infographic (PDF 314KB).
The University of Southern Queensland is supportive of the Australian Universities sector-wide approach to this issue and is grateful for all our students who have taken part in the survey. One report of sexual assault or harassment is one too many, and the results indicate we can do more improve our work in addressing sexual assault and harassment in our universities.
In particular, we will work to ensure our students are supported in reporting incidents and know where to find the support they need. Further information is available on the National Student Safety Survey website, including Universities Australia’s response to the 2021 National Student Safety Survey.
Our commitment to the University of Southern Queensland community
Changing unacceptable attitudes and addressing the drivers of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment across society is complex and requires sustained effort. The University of Southern Queensland, as a place of higher learning and research, is proud to use its position to promote gender equality and is committed to doing better in addressing sexual harassment and assault.
Any member of the University community who has experienced any unwanted or inappropriate behaviours is encouraged to share a concern to seek support for and report your concerns.
In the past five years, we've implemented a range of actions, which include:
- developing the Prevention of Discrimination, Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy
- updating staff guidelines for supporting students who disclose they have experienced sexual assault and/or sexual harassment,
- establishing the SAGE Athena Swann Committee,
- establishing the Safer Communities Reference Committee,
- establishing a Safer Communities Coordinator position,
- establishing a single point of contact with specialist-trained staff as the Safer Communities Coordinator for students seeking support and making reports,
- commencing the Share a Concern initiative, a simply and survivor friendly form where all UniSQ community members who have experienced unwanted or inappropriate behaviour can report,
- implementing the MATE Bystander Program for all staff and students and mandating that all residential colleges students complete,
- implementing the Respect @ UniSQ program for all staff and students and mandating that all residential colleges students complete,
- implementing the SafeZone app for emergency responses - the app connects students and staff with the UniSQ Security, and
- numerous primary prevention and awareness raising campaigns across all campuses.
We will continue to share the University of Southern Queensland's progress and achievements, and future actions that the University is taking, to create a Safer Community and to promote gender equality and prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Safety and wellbeing are at the centre of the survey process, for students and staff. Hearing about the survey and sexual assault and sexual harassment can be hard. If you need support for yourself please contact:
- UniSQ Student Wellness - 07 4631 2372
- UniSQ Employee Assistance Program - 1800 808 374
- 1800 Respect - 1800 737 732
We want to hear from survivors of sexual assault and harassment about what the University can do better. If you want to give feedback please contact safercommunities@unisq.edu.au
View Frequently Asked Questions about the National Student Safety Survey.