Contact us
- Student Diversity and Inclusion
- Level 4, 18 Wally’s Walk
- Macquarie University NSW 2109
- E: respect@mq.edu.au
Building a safe and supportive university community
The Respect. Now. Always. (RNA) project at Macquarie aims to build a safer uni community. We do this by improving how we prevent – and respond to – sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other inappropriate or unwanted behaviours.
In 2017, the Australian Human Rights Commission published its Change the Course national report on sexual assault and sexual harassment in Australian universities. They identified that 51 per cent of students taking part had experienced sexual harassment in 2016, and seven per cent reported being sexually assaulted in 2015–16.
The impacts of sexual violence on survivors can be long-lasting and devastating.
Led by the Vice-Chancellor and other high-level executive sponsors, RNA’s priorities and initiatives are overseen by an Implementation Committee, and supported by student and staff advisory groups.
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Who supports the work?
RNA is coordinated and supported by staff in the Student Equity and Inclusion team, who work within Student Wellbeing.
Meet the team
Penny Huisman (Interim Senior Manager, Student Wellbeing)
Office: Ground Floor, Australian Hearing Hub
T: +61 (2) 9850 7380 (Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Friday)
E: penny.huisman@mq.edu.au
Penny is a clinical psychologist who has worked at Student Wellbeing in Macquarie University since 2010 as a welfare officer and psychologist. She completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology at Macquarie in 2016.
Penny has experience working in policy, research, evaluation and project management, as well as providing advocacy, support and psychological services. She has worked for services such as the NSW Office for Women, student representative organisations, and services for people experiencing significant mental health problems and long-term unemployment.
As Interim Manager of Student Wellbeing, Penny focuses on developing and implementing projects which promote students’ wellbeing, sense of belonging, and inclusion, and which work to create a campus where all students feel valued and supported.
Penny's pronouns are she/her.
Preventing harm, building a safer community
Everyone has a role to play in creating a safer and more supportive Macquarie community.
If you're a student, start by completing the compulsory 'Consent Matters' course on iLearn. It covers topics such as communication and relationships, with a special focus on consent and how to take action if you witness something difficult happening – either on campus or online.
If you're a staff member – and especially if you work with students – it's important to know where you can seek advice and support. The Student Care and Reporting Network at Macquarie brings together staff and teams across the University to help respond to concerns that involve a student.
Action Plan updates and reporting
Safety/behaviour reporting statistics: 2019/2020
Statistics relating to safety and behaviour reports made to Macquarie University for the period of 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 are available here. Download the 2019-2020 statistics document.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to these statistics, contact the Student Equity and Inclusion team at respect@mq.edu.au.
Action Plan update: 2019/2020
A 24-month progress report on Macquarie’s Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan 2018–20 is now available. Download the 24-month progress report.
If you have any questions or concerns in relation to this report, contact the Student Equity and Inclusion team at respect@mq.edu.au.
Action Plan update: 2018/2019
Since the August 2018 release of the Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan 2018–20, the RNAteam has been working with stakeholders and community across, and at all levels of, the University, as well as external agencies and services, to drive progress.
A 12-month progress report is now available in two formats:
If you have any questions or concerns in relation to this report, contact the Student Equity and Inclusion team at respect@mq.edu.au.
Current initiatives
Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan (2018–2020) | The Action Plan 2018-2020 outlined Macquarie’s response to the recommendations set out in Change the Course, as well as other sector reports. Describing the priorities and actions for RNA, it was developed in consultation with students and staff. The Action Plan 2018-2020 can be accessed in two formats: Macquarie is looking to establish a renewed action plan following roll-out of the National Student Safety Survey across Australia's universities in September 2021. |
Education with students | The Student Equity and Inclusion team coordinate workshops and resources for students in the area of gender-based violence prevention and response. These are offered online given the continued impacts of COVID-19. Macquarie implements the Consent Matters course on iLearn - this is compulsory for all currently enrolled students. If you're a student and interested in learning more about gender-based violence prevention and response, contact the Student Equity and Inclusion team at respect@mq.edu.au. The team can organise workshops that are designed to increase your knowledge, build your skills, and meet your needs. |
Student Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy | The Student Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy removes some of the barriers students face in reporting and seeking support, with the introduction of reporting, including anonymous reporting via a simple online report form: Report inappropriate or unwanted behaviour. This form can be used by any student or staff member to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual harassment which involve students. The Student Policy outlines behaviours which are not accepted by Macquarie University, what consent means in relation to those behaviours, how reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment concerning students can be made to the University, and how the University will respond to a report about sexual assault or sexual harassment committed by a student. |
Staff Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy | The Staff Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy brings our community’s attention to the important issue of workplace sexual harassment. The Staff Policy details what workplace sexual harassment is and how it might show up in our community. It articulates the rights, role and responsibilities of all staff and affiliates, and the part we all play in challenging problematic behaviours and building a culture of respect. The Staff Policy also explains how staff can seek support and report sexual harassment. |