In April, following reports from Fairfax Media, every one of Australia's universities committed to releasing data on sexual assaults after they were accused of "actively covering up sexual abuse" in the wake of revelations there had been six expulsions in the past five years from 145 reports of rape. Sexual assault victim Freya protests on the lawns outside Parliament House. Credit:Karleen Minney RMIT University will set a nationwide precedent by committing to a process of restorative justice for victims of sexual assault and peak body Universities Australia will establish a national round-the-clock 1800 hotline for student survivors. "Our adversarial justice system produces a McDonald's, one-size-fits-all approach, but the justice needs of victims are far more complex than that," said RMIT's adjunct professor Rob Hulls.

"It's been estimated that fewer than 1 in 100 cases of sexual assault result in a conviction. That means 99 per cent of victims are missing out on some form of justice and never have an opportunity to convey the impact the assault has had on them." For the first time, students at the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney are set to complete an online sexual consent course, while more than 300 staff and students have been trained in counselling at UNSW. End Rape on Campus ambassador Nina Funnell. Credit:Domino Postiglione Universities Australia chief Belinda Robinson said she "fully expected the results to be challenging". "Sexual assault is a despicable crime," she said. "From past research, we know that one in five Australian women experience sexual violence during their lifetime."

Universities Australia chief executive Belinda Robinson. Credit:Daniel Munoz On Friday, the Network of Women Students called on the government to go further. More than 60 students with mattresses covered in anti-rape messages protested in front of Parliament demanding the establishment of an independent tribunal to allow survivors to dob in universities that mishandle sexual abuse. Students protest outside Parliament on Friday. Credit:Karleen Minney "While the counselling hotline represents an important step in the right direction, there is till a huge amount of work to be done," said End Rape on Campus ambassador and sexual assault survivor Nina Funnell. "Ultimately we need to stop sexual violence at its source."

The industry's peak body, Universities Australia, has partnered with not-for-profit Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia to deliver the 1800 hotline after a campaign from End Rape on Campus University of Sydney students will have access to an anonymous call back service. Credit:Lee Besford The decision follows allegations raised by End Rape on Campus of counsellors at the government's 1800RESPECT service run by Medibank Health Services, dumping their own trauma on victims and concerns over rape victims calls being recorded. Transcripts of calls seen by Fairfax Media also show counsellors revealing details of other victims trauma to survivors seeking counselling in a clear breach of confidentiality. Social Services Minister Christian Porter. Credit:Andrew Meares

In one instance a counsellor divulges the abuse of an eight-year-old to a survivor seeking help. Social Services Minister Christian Porter has consistently defended the 1800RESPECT service and labelled the campaign against it by advocates as disgusting. "The [triage] reforms were based on a review which highlighted serious deficiencies in the service, including wait times of more than 10 minutes and 67 per cent of calls being abandoned by frustrated callers who were getting no answer," he said in a statement last month. "Since our reforms, average call wait times have reduced to 45 seconds with 80 per cent of calls answered in 20 seconds. There has been a huge improvement in the service." If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency contact 000.

An earlier version of this article suggested Universities Australia would deliver "a stunning show of no confidence" in the 1800RESPECT line and was "denying them the contract" for the new hotline to support sexual assault survivors. These statements are incorrect and we regret the error. Follow us on Facebook