Their efforts led to a nationwide survey of 31,000 university students in which 51 percent said they were sexually harassed at least once in 2016. Advocates said the actual figure might be even higher; in most cases, neither the victims nor bystanders report the episodes — often because they feel nothing will be done.

Many Australian women a generation removed said it was at least as bad or worse during their student days. And, they said, the culture of student politics did not help.

Each of Australia’s main political parties has an active youth wing — the Young Liberals promote themselves to anyone ages 16 to 31; Young Labor focuses on anyone under 26 — and their efforts often overlap with on-campus campaigns.

Many lawmakers started out in this milieu, with student bodies or union boards, before moving to staffing roles, party offices or legislatures. Three of Australia’s five most recent prime ministers — Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and John Howard — began their political careers as students at the University of Sydney.

The dynamics of power in these groups have not been equal. Women make up only 29 percent of the Young Liberals membership, according to the group’s website. Student leaders say men tend to dominate the senior ranks across parties and campuses.

Regular gatherings of young people in politics — like the annual National Union of Students conference in December — are also notorious for alcohol-fueled inappropriate behavior.