University sexual assault report: Half of students harassed at least once in 2016

Updated

A survey of university students by the Human Rights Commission has found more than half of respondents were sexually harassed on at least one occasion last year.

Key points: The report found women experienced harassment and assaults at disproportionately higher rates than men

Almost a third of harassment took place on university grounds or teaching spaces

Residential colleges were also a particular area of concern

Fifty-one per cent of students were sexually harassed at least once in 2016, the commission found, while one in four students was sexually harassed in a university setting on at least one occasion in 2016.

A university setting includes on campus, travelling to and from uni, and off-campus events organised by the uni or endorsed by it.

All 39 universities have released individual data that shows the institutions with the highest rates of assault include the University of New England, ANU, Charles Sturt University, the University of South Australia, and Bond University.

The survey also found 6.9 per cent of students were sexually assaulted on at least one occasion in 2015 or 2016.

Overwhelmingly men were the perpetrators of both sexual assault and sexual harassment reported in the survey, and women experienced harassment and assaults at disproportionately higher rates than men.

Almost a third of harassment took place on university grounds or teaching spaces, and one in five assaulted said it occurred at a university or residence social event.

Residential colleges were reported as a particular area of concern.

The statistics revealed the sexual assault rate at the Australian National University (ANU) was double that of universities nationally.

ANU's survey results showed 3.5 per cent (or 52 respondents) claimed to have been sexually assaulted on campus last year, compared to 1.6 per cent assaulted nationally in 2015 or 2016, who also may have been assaulted travelling to or from university.

Vice-chancellor of ANU Brian Schmidt said the report was shocking.

"On behalf of the university I want to start by saying sorry," he said.

"The stories told by survivors are shocking. The results are shocking. We should all be shocked.

"Our first priority right now must be to support survivors and all those affected by sexual harassment or sexual assault. The shock must be met with action.

"To survivors and people affected by sexual assault and harassment, your voices and stories guide us to providing the right kinds of support, when you need it and where you need it. You are the catalyst of change."

Mr Schmidt said the ANU accepted all nine recommendations in the report and would fully implement all of them.

What does the survey reveal about sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment was defined in the survey as "an unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature".

The report found the most common sorts of sexual harassment included inappropriate leering or staring (14 per cent), sexually suggestive comments or jokes (11 per cent), and intrusive questions about someone's private life or physical appearance (9 per cent)

The peak age for sexual harassment was 20 to 22

Trans and gender-diverse students were more likely to have been sexually harassed in a university setting in 2016 (45 per cent) than women and men

Nearly half (45 per cent) of students sexually harassed in a university setting knew some or all of the perpetrators, while more than two thirds (68 per cent) said the perpetrator was another student

What does it reveal about sexual assaults?

The survey defined sexual assault as "when a person is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent, including when they have withdrawn their consent". This behaviour is unacceptable and constitutes a crime, the survey added.

Sexual assault support services: 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Lifeline: 131 114

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Bisexual and asexual students were the most likely to be sexually assaulted

Domestic students (66 per cent) were more likely to be assaulted than international students (55 per cent) by a single perpetrator (However there had been concerns the report would not sufficiently capture the experience of international students who may not have engaged with the survey.)

About half (51 per cent) of those who were sexually assaulted knew the perpetrator

'Attitudinal change is needed'

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said the report marked a huge milestone.

"For decades, advocates and survivors have argued for change. We have all heard stories of behaviours occurring on campus," she said.

"Today, for the first time, we have statistically significant national data on the prevalence and nature of this problem at Australia's universities.

"Attitudinal change and greater awareness is needed, not only among university students but also university staff who receive reports of these behaviours."

The Human Rights Commission surveyed 30,930 students across the country about sexual assault and sexual harassment at universities. The survey was distributed to 319,252 people.

It was prompted by years of activism by women's groups on campuses amid disturbing claims that universities were responding poorly to incidents of sexual assault.

The commission made nine recommendations including a commitment to action from uni leaders, improving institutional responses to assaults and harassment, and engaging an independent review to address high assault rates at residential colleges.

Universities Australia also committed to a 10-point plan, including the establishment of an interim 24-hour support line, to be operated by Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, and the development of a respectful relationships program for university students.

"We send a strong and clear message today that these behaviours are not acceptable. Not on our campuses — and not in Australia society," Universities Australia chair Professor Margaret Gardner said.

She praised the bravery of students who had responded to the survey.

"It has taken courage to tell your stories," she said. "We are listening. And we will act."

We're fighting a cultural battle: NUS

Sophie Johnston, from the National Union of Students, said the survey was an opportunity to acknowledge past failures and take action.

"It broke my heart to read this report," she said. "This is a cultural battle we are fighting everywhere.

"Today is the start of a very long road … but we're on the way to combatting this culture."

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said he had written to universities seeking their responses to the survey's findings and recommendations.

In a letter posted to Facebook, End Rape On Campus Australia urged survivors to "take care of each other".

"For over half a century, students and survivors have been fighting for universities to address sexual violence within their communities," the letter read.

"We got here because of the strength and determination of survivors and their allies. Today belongs to you."

Topics: sexual-offences, law-crime-and-justice, community-and-society, women, university-and-further-education, australia

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