Twelve months ago, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, stood in front of staff and students and made a commitment: Macquarie would provide them with a safe and respectful environment.

With the launch of the Respect.Now.Always Action Plan last August, the Vice-Chancellor made it clear that gender-based discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or sexual assault has no place at Macquarie University.

The RNA team, working with key partners across the University, got to work on the Action Plan: Rolling out a ‘Consent Matters’ online learning course to students; providing specialist training and workshops for students; developing training for staff; and working with students to co-create and deliver information to the student body.

Last Thursday 8 August, Professor Dowton once again stood in front of students and staff at the ‘Why Respect.Now.Always Matters’ event to report back on the progress of the Action Plan at the one-year mark, and to reaffirm Macquarie’s commitment to creating a culture of respect.

“All members of the Macquarie University community have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to work or study in a safe environment,” he said, reaffirming Macquarie’s commitment to zero tolerance of gender-based harassment and discrimination, sexual assault, sexual harassment and bullying. “This event is an opportunity to reflect on the University’s values and respect of relationships of all kinds, and what it means to belong to a true community.”

It is clear Professor Dowton is deeply committed to the RNA program. He commended the important groundwork being done in building a strong support network through ongoing dedication of the RNA team, sponsors and partners. He said continuing collaboration, and closing the feedback loop, will be key to sustaining incremental change and continuing to build trust.  He quoted Lieutenant General David Morrison ­– “the behaviour you walk past is the behaviour you accept” ­– which resonated with the audience, and was later reinforced by panellist, Chris Miller, Academic Engagement Coordinator at Walanga Muru.

Professor Dowton reminded the University community that “we are all custodians for providing a safe and inclusive environment where students can learn and engage in a safe and truly transformative way.”

New staff and student policies

Professor Dowton also announced the completion of a key milestone in the Action Plan – the launch of the Student Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy and Staff Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy.

These new policies contribute to developing a culture around community, defining behaviours which are prohibited at our University. The policies also set out clear expectations and procedures around support, reporting, and responses to reports.

All Macquarie staff have a role to play in creating a culture of respect. As a staff member, you might be affected by discrimination, harassment or sexual assault in several ways – be it experiencing it yourself, witnessing it in your workplace or classroom, or supporting students or colleagues that are affected. It is important for all of us to be familiar with these new policies and understand our rights and obligations as University staff.

Staff policy – what you need to know

The new policy brings our community’s attention to the important society issue of workplace sexual harassment.

• The 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 explains how staff can seek support and report sexual harassment.
• Mandatory training will soon be launched to support the roll-out and implementation of this policy. (For more information about training, please contact workplacediversityinclusion@mq.edu.au)

Read the Staff Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy >

Student policy – what you need to know

• The new 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. This form can be used by any student or staff member to report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual harassment which involve students.
• The policy outlines the University’s responsibilities in providing support and responding to reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment of a student. If a student discloses to you as a staff member, it is important that you:
  • Consider the safety of the person disclosing to you, and your own safety. If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment yourself, you may feel that you are not the best person to disclose to. You can respectfully suggest they contact a support service.
  • Refer them to support services, such as Student Wellbeing or NSW Rape Crisis Centre.
  • Respect the decisions made by the person who has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment about what to do next.
  • Show understanding to the person who has disclosed to you. You can acknowledge that what happened is not their fault and that you believe them.
  • Look after yourself. Hearing a disclosure of sexual assault or sexual harassment can be difficult. You can contact the University’s Employee Assistance Provider or NSW Rape Crisis Centre for support.
• There are some situations where you are required to make a report if a student discloses to you. If the student is under the age of 18, you must contact Student Wellbeing to discuss the situation and seek advice, or if the disclosure raises serious concerns about the current safety of the student.
• If you are unsure whether you must report an incident, contact Student Wellbeing, the RNA team (respect@mq.edu.au), or your Human Resources Client Relationships representative.

Ahead of the Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan launch this Thursday 9 August, Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton discusses the progress the University has made towards establishing a safe and respectful culture on campus.

On Thursday I will launch Macquarie University’s Respect. Now. Always. (RNA) Action Plan to the University community.

It is now one year since the Australian Human Rights Commission released its report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities, ‘Change the Course’, and we gathered to discuss the implications and required actions we needed to take as a University.

At Macquarie University, we do not tolerate acts of sexual assault and sexual harassment. As an institution, we are committed to preventing these behaviours and fostering a culture of safety and respect. The Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan underpins the University’s commitment to provide a safe environment for students and staff through cultural and organisational change.

If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, I want you to know that you do not have to cope on your own. We can help you get the right support and ensure that you, and other community members, are safe on campus.

In the 12 months since the Commission released its report, we have partnered with students and staff to pursue the commitments we made to establish a safe and respectful culture on campus, and to provide compassion, care and support to those who seek help. Our process has been collaborative, comprehensive and evidence-based. I am grateful to the students, staff and community members who took part in the initial survey, and to those who continue to give their feedback so openly.

Through the RNA Project, progress to date includes:

• An extensive education program focused on building the capacity of the Macquarie community to prevent and respond to incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment:
  • Consent Matters is an online learning course available via the iLearn RNA site. All students will be required to complete the course during their studies. To access the course, click here.
  • Face-to-face workshops for students are available throughout Session 2. The workshop focuses on understanding consent in relationships, decision-making and communication in relationships, as well as how to take action, safely, to prevent sexual assault or sexual harassment. You can book into a workshop via the iLearn RNA site.
• Information about education, support on campus and reporting options is available via the iLearn RNA site. I would encourage all students and staff to enrol in iLearn RNA.
• In addition, the RNA team has delivered tailored face-to-face workshops to student groups and staff with identified needs and risks relating to sexual assault and sexual harassment.
• Over the next 12 months, all Macquarie staff will have access to training on understanding sexual harassment and sexual assault, and responding to disclosures.
• For those staff and student leaders who are most likely to receive disclosures, additional face-to-face training will be provided.

Our response has also focused on the support available to students and staff, including:

• Commissioning an independent, expert-led audit of Macquarie’s counselling services
• Establishing a Student Care and Trauma Team in Campus Wellbeing to meet the needs of students who require emergency care
• Working closely with our accommodation partners to review existing systems and develop agreed standards for responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment
• Engaging the Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service and Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia to ensure our actions are guided by independent, expert advice
• Increasing community awareness of support services and reporting options. This information is displayed via a stand-alone RNA webpage (mq.edu.au/respect) and iLearn RNA.
• Reviewing existing policies and procedures for effective enforcement, and developing a single sexual assault and sexual harassment policy.

I acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. Meaningful change requires that we target the cultural factors known to contribute to acts of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Moving forward, I am calling on all members of the Macquarie community to bring about the change we need.  We all have a role to play in developing a culture of safety and respect. Whether it be through participating in RNA workshops, completing Consent Matters, challenging attitudes and practices that may lead to harmful conduct, or providing us with feedback, all students and staff can commit to taking action.

I invite you all to attend the launch, and engage with the panel discussion on sexual harassment. I remain personally and deeply committed to this important project. Together with the leadership of our Executive Sponsors, Nicole Gower and Professor Kevin Jameson, support of the Respect. Now. Always. Staff and Student Advisory Groups, and continued engagement with the Macquarie community, I am confident that we will make meaningful progress towards ensuring that the University is a place of safety and respect.

Professor S Bruce Dowton
Vice-Chancellor

Register for the Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan launch event on Thursday 9 August or download the Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan.  

Support at Macquarie

For students: Campus Wellbeing can provide confidential counselling, discuss report and complaint-making options at the University and refer students where appropriate. Campus Wellbeing provides same day appointments for any urgent issues.

To contact Campus Wellbeing, students can phone, email, fill in the self-referral form online, or drop by Reception:

T: (02) 9850 7497
T: 1800 227 367 (24/7)
E: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
W: online self-referral form

Campus Wellbeing is located on Level 2, 16 Wally’s Walk (Building C8A). Opening hours Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm.

For staff: Staff or their immediate families can access free confidential counselling or support via the Employee Assistance Program.  Support and information about reporting is available from your immediate supervisor or from Human Resources.

Respect.Now.Always. project lead Tatiana Lozano provides an update on the report release and ongoing work in the University.

Following the release last week by the Australian Human Rights Commission of the national report and Macquarie’s own report into sexual assault and sexual harassment we started a conversation and will continue with our work at Macquarie on how best to address the issues raised in these reports.

On the day of the report release the Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton hosted a Town Hall for students and staff where more than 160 people attended.

The Town Hall event invited staff and students to come together as a community to discuss the findings of the report, and reaffirm the Vice-Chancellor’s and the University’s commitment to the Respect.Now.Always. project.

The Vice-Chancellor spoke openly on his personal commitment to addressing the issues raised by the report and provided an overview of Macquarie’s own results. The Vice-Chancellor then joined in a panel session that also featured Professor Catharine Lumby, Esra Mustafa from North Sydney Sexual Assault Service, The Hon. Jenny Aitchinson MP (Member for Maitland and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault), and students Jimmy Brackin, Jasmine Noud (President of the Women’s Collective) and Harini Enasha De Mel. The floor was then opened for questions from students and staff.

An information session on the project and reports was also held for staff which saw representation from staff across the University.

The Respect.Now.Always project team will continue to work with the executive team and consult with students and staff members supported by external experts, with a focus on prevention and cultural change through evidence-based education, and the review and improvement of the University’s policies, procedures and support services.

The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that there is still much work to be done, and as a community we will continue to work together to ensure that our University is a safe and supportive environment where students are able to achieve their full potential in peace and confidence.

Macquarie has a range of support services available to all students. Visit the website for more.

The Respect. Now. Always. campaign was launched on our campus in August with a screening of The Hunting Ground – a film that explores the issues and institutional responses in the American university system. We are continuing the campaign with new initiatives on campus.

In addition to wide-ranging respectful relationships training for student leaders, we will be conducting sexual assault disclosure training for staff and developing a standalone Sexual Assault Policy to embed respectful behaviour and sexual ethics at the university and to ensure a comprehensive, accessible and effective response to incidents of sexual violence.

We have also developed a central hub with a range of materials and resources that you may find helpful when considering or dealing with these issues.

As part of the broader Respect. Now. Always. campaign across all Australian universities, some Macquarie students have been randomly selected to participate in Australia’s first-ever national survey on university student experiences of sexual assault and harassment.

The survey is completely anonymous and is being run by the independent Australian Human Rights Commission with assistance from Roy Morgan Research and Universities Australia, which will inform a final report on this issue by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

If you have not been randomly selected but would like to share your views, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission’s website.

I am very committed to providing a safe, respectful and enjoyable experience for everyone who chooses to work and study with us, and I am grateful for your support for this very important initiative.

If you have any questions about the Respect. Now. Always. project, or any of the issues raised, please contact Tatiana Lozano on 02 9850 7380.