The report captures key statistics and progress in the prevention of gendered violence at the University.
This fourth annual report highlights the work being undertaken at the University to reduce the incidence of gendered violence, support students and staff, and increase awareness. It also captures key statistics for the reporting of gendered violence.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs welcomed the report and said UNSW’s goal was to create a welcoming and safe environment where everyone is respected and supported.
“Each person at UNSW has a responsibility to make our University a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Gendered violence behaviours have no place at our University.
“UNSW is committed to providing an environment where students and staff are valued and respected and can realise their full potential. While we have made progress, there is much more to do. We have had success in increasing ease of and support for reporting, and are now increasing our focus on tackling underlying issues.”
The annual report includes recent incidents and past incidents reported in 2023 that occurred at a UNSW campus, online or off campus. There were 75 reports of gendered violence where the incident had occurred at a UNSW campus, representing 42 per cent of the total 180 reports for the year.
New reporting systems were introduced in 2023 that made it simpler for people who experience gendered violence to report an incident. Increased awareness of what constitutes gendered violence and how to make a report are also thought to have influenced the reporting rate, which increased for the year.
Increased awareness and improved reporting systems
The annual report highlights the range of awareness and education campaigns at UNSW. The creation of the Safer Communities team, which focuses on gendered violence, psychosocial risk and respect, was a particular focus in 2023.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Transformation, Planning and Assurance Professor George Williams, said the annual report highlighted the impact of the University’s work to improve awareness of gendered violence and the ways students and staff can make a report.
“Transparency is crucial for us as a university as we address incidents of gendered violence in our community. Through this annual report we openly share data and what we’re doing to prevent and respond to incidents of gendered violence,” he said.
“By doing this, we aim to build trust and accountability, making sure everyone feels safe and respected. Putting together the report helps us identify areas where we can do better and where we need to focus our efforts.
“The creation of the Safer Communities team has enhanced the University’s efforts to improve wellbeing for our students and staff. In particular, we’ve streamlined the reporting process to make it simpler for people to report gendered violence.”
Other projects in 2023 that focused on awareness and education included grants to encourage new ideas and initiatives from students and staff to drive progress towards a safer and more respectful campus, training modules for students and staff, bystander awareness workshops and bespoke consent education at UNSW-owned colleges.
Help is available
Gendered violence is any type of harm perpetrated against a person or group of people because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Behaviours described as ‘gendered violence’ include sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence and gendered harassment.
Support is available for students and staff affected by gendered violence.
UNSW community members can report gendered violence using the UNSW Gender Violence Portal. Reports do not have to identify those involved and can be anonymous. They can come from students or staff who have been directly affected, a witness to an incident or a support person.
Any report submitted on the Gender Violence Portal is received by staff at the UNSW Student Psychology and Wellness service, which focuses on support and the safety of those affected. Further action after a report depends on the specific incident and the wishes of the person affected.
Find out more about making a report of gendered violence and what happens after a report is made.
Learn about responding to disclosures of gendered violence.
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