Preventing and responding to gender-based violence
Macquarie University is committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive community where all members can learn and work free from gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence means any form of physical, sexual, economic or psychological violence, harassment or abuse based on gender. It can result in harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation, and restrict a person’s freedom and autonomy.
Gender-based violence has no place at Macquarie.
Our commitment
We take a university-wide approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence with a focus on prevention, accountability, transparency and support. We are guided by:
A message from Professor S. Bruce Dowton MD, Vice-Chancellor and President, Macquarie University
How we will achieve it
Building on the work of the Respect.Now.Always project in preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, our response to gender-based violence is governed by the University Council and led by a Gender-based Violence Steering Committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
The Steering Committee is informed by a Gender-based Violence Working Group comprising senior staff responsible for student and staff safety and wellbeing.
The group will work closely with a wide range of students, staff and leadership to ensure extensive consultation across the University, reflecting the core work areas of safety and risk, education and training, and data and reporting.
Current initiatives
The University has a number of initiatives that improve safety and support for students and staff.
The plan represents the University’s commitment to systemic, long-term cultural change guided by its values of collective ambition, bold innovation, purposeful collaboration and genuine care. It:
- centres the voices of diverse cohorts across the Macquarie Community
- enhances support services
- strengthens governance.
This is particularly important for those who are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence, including:
- culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- First Nations people
- people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities
- people with disability
- women.
This policy outlines our commitment to providing an environment free from gender-based violence and establishes our obligations in preventing and responding to gender-based violence.
- provide information about the University’s Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Policy
- help you understand what happens if you make a Disclosure or Formal Report.
This procedure sets out the processes for preliminary assessments and formal investigations into gender-based violence involving students and/or staff.
Developed in consultation with students and staff stakeholders from across the University, this plan builds on our previous Respect.Now.Always initiatives.
You can view the launch message from the Vice-Chancellor or download the Sexual Safety and Wellbeing Action Plan 2024–2026.
Safer Communities @ MQ is a mandatory online educational unit that aids in fostering a safer environment by helping students understand important aspects of relationships.
The unit covers:
- alcohol and drug safety
- consent in relationships
- information about reporting, support and security services
- sex education including safer sex, STI prevention and testing
- what constitutes a healthy relationship
All Macquarie staff and students can access and complete the Safer Communities @ MQ course.
Sextember is Macquarie's annual sex-positive festival that embraces and educates our community on safe, healthy and respectful relationships with themselves and others.
The Student Equity and Inclusion team coordinate workshops and resources for students in the area of gender-based violence prevention and response. Our workshops are free for all Macquarie students to join and provide opportunities for students to develop skills which will help build a safer and more inclusive community for all.
For more information contact the team at gbv@mq.edu.au.