16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that starts on 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Content warning: Some people may find this content confronting or distressing. Support is available at UNSW and through National Referral Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
In line with this campaign, UNSW acknowledges that one in three Australian women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five has experienced sexual violence.*
UNSW recognises that gendered violence is still far too prevalent across Australian universities, but also that it’s preventable. UNSW is committed to preventing gendered violence and making UNSW a safer place for all through the Stop. Empower. Support: UNSW Gendered Violence Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2025. To do this, the UNSW community needs to be aware of what constitutes gendered violence and take action to prevent and respond to it. A Gendered Violence Steering Committee has been established to implement this Strategy with UNSW staff and student representation. Through this Strategy, UNSW seeks to prevent gendered violence and offer respectful ways to support staff and students when an incident does occur. The aim is to:
STOP gendered violence on our campuses and ensure effective implementation of prevention activities.
EMPOWER all students and staff to take action to prevent and respond to gendered violence by:
- committing to a safe and respectful UNSW
- being aware of what constitutes gendered violence
- reporting incidents of gendered violence to the Gendered Violence Reporting Portal
- raising any matters with relevant faculties, schools or business units to increase confidence to access supports available both within and external to UNSW
- taking action as a bystander where it is appropriate and safe to do so.
SUPPORT staff and students who are affected by gendered violence by providing appropriate and trauma informed support and referral options, tailored training, targeted communications and other awareness raising activities.
What is gendered violence?
Gendered Violence is a broad term that includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, gendered harassment and other harmful behaviours perpetrated against a person, or group of people, based on their actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation and/ or gender identity. UN Women explain that gendered violence is driven by gender inequality, harmful gendered norms, and abuses of power. Studies clearly show that all women (cis and trans), girls and the LGBTIQ+ communities are disproportionately affected by gendered violence.
You can speak up if you, or someone you know, is affected by gendered violence
Did you know that as a staff member of UNSW, you are obligated to report gendered violence in the Gendered Violence Reporting Portal if a staff or student discloses an incident to you? There are kind and compassionate ways of doing this, including an anonymous report if that's their wish. Help is available if you are affected by gendered violence, including sexual misconduct. Students and staff can make a report and access support following an incident through the Gendered Violence Portal. Anonymous reports can be made. Visit unsw.to/genderedviolence.
Emergency contacts:
- Emergency services: 000
- UNSW Security: 9385 6666
Further support:
- For staff: Benestar (Employee Assistance) 1300 360 364
- For students: UNSW Psychology & Wellness
- 9385 5418 or text-after-hours 0485 826 595
- National referral service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
- Find more services
*Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2016 Personal Safety Survey (PSS), ABS, Australian Government, 2017.
- Log in to post comments