Respect. Now. Always.
Notre Dame does not tolerate sexual assault or sexual harassment. The University believes that all members of the University community have the right to feel safe and secure, and to be treated with respect and dignity at all times.
Notre Dame, together with all other Australian universities, is a part of the Respect. Now. Always. initiative driven by Universities Australia. The initiative aims to raise awareness among university students and staff that sexual assault and harassment are unacceptable, and to ensure that avenues of support are available, appropriate and easily accessible.
In August 2017, the Australian Human Rights Commission published a report titled Change the Course: National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities. The report includes results of a survey the Commission conducted, to find out rates of sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities. Click here to see a summary table of the results for Notre Dame.
Based on the survey results for all Australian Universities, the Australian Human Rights Commission and Universities Australia made recommendations aimed at helping universities to reduce and prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment. The recommendations are set out in the Change the Course report and in Universities Australia’s 10-point Action Plan. Notre Dame accepted all of the recommendations, and the University’s work in this area is overseen by the Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for Addressing Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment on Campus. See the Advisory Committee’s Terms of Reference.
See Notre Dame’s Respect. Now. Always. summary of actions and progress, dated August 2020. See the University’s latest update report to the Australian Human Rights Commission, dated September 2020.
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External support services for people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment
- Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia – 24/7 sexual assault counselling service
- 1800RESPECT National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service – 24/7 information, counselling and support service
- NSW Health Sexual Assault Services
- Perth Sexual Assault Resource Centre
- Kimberley Sexual Abuse Prevention and Support Service
- Victoria Sexual Assault Crisis Line
- eSafety Commissioner – information, support and reporting options regarding technology-facilitated abuse
- Reach Out – specially targeted help and information for young people
- Lifeline – 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention service
- Beyond Blue – 24 hour mental health support
- Commonwealth Ombudsman – assistance for overseas students
- Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia – LGBTIQ+ violence service
- QLife – anonymous LGBTIQ peer support and referral
- Living Proud – LGBTIQ support and information for people in WA
- Twenty10 – LGBTIQ support and information for people in NSW
- Immigrant Women's Speakout – informal service for immigrant and refugee women in NSW
- Indigenous Women's Legal Service NSW
- Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre NSW
- Aboriginal Legal Service WA
- Women’s Legal Service WA
- Women’s Legal Service NSW
- Transcultural Mental Health Centre – supporting people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- 1800RESPECT – support for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, migrants and refugees in relation to sexual, domestic or family violence
- Mensline Australia
- No To Violence – working to end men’s family violence
- Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria