When researching and applying for universities abroad, most international students are likely to look at the university’s ranking, fees and accommodation services. Some will also try to find out about city life and food. But do they ever also look at the university's anti-harassment policies?
Mohammed says she doubts that anyone ever does this.
“I doubt that international students ever try to find out how safe they will be from sexual, physical and verbal harassment on that particular university campus: Mariam Mohammed
“I doubt that international students ever try to find out how safe they will be from sexual, physical and verbal harassment on that particular university campus,” she says.
To her, this becomes the main reason for their failure to react and respond accordingly when they find themselves in such a situation, simply because they are not ready to deal with it or even face it. She adds that they are unaware of their rights, the facilities that they can access on campus and the services and help that they can reach out for and are entitled to - all this making them even more vulnerable.
“Not knowing what to do, they end up isolated.”
Harassment and its types
Though the most common type of harassment is sexual in nature, there is more than one type of harassment. People can face harassment on the basis of their gender, race, religion, physical appearance, disability, age, social class or school of thought.
Dia Khan, a 26-year-old Pakistani student at an Australian university, says she was harassed many times on campus "for wearing a hijab".
Harassment can be verbal, physical or online and includes behaviours and actions such as abuse, bullying, discrimination, racism, insult, derogatory jokes and comments, online stalking, threats, intolerant or racist comments on public and personal posts and blogs or other written forms.
According to Mohammed, one of the ways that international students face harassment is the response they receive on their English language skills. The second most common reason is their cultural identity. This can start from peers and go up to manipulative teachers and course coordinators in some cases.
National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities (2017) Source: Australian Human Rights Commission
Dia Khan, a 26-year-old Pakistani student at an Australian university, says she was harassed many times on campus "for wearing a hijab". She says one of her research supervisors also mocked her sometimes for her "ancient attire". The experience left her so psychologically disturbed that she had to take a leave of absence and spend some time back home to recover.
But did she report this? No!
Khan says she was too scared to be labelled in any way, here and back home. Mohammed sees this as a common response by international students. During her time with the Association, she says, she came across cases where research and PhD students were being harassed by their supervisors, who seemed to demonstrate exertion of power, such as in Khan's case.
Know your right!
Mohammed says international students in Australia face more harassment than domestic students for all these reasons. Most students, she says, won’t report these cases for a fear of an adverse effect on their enrolments, results or in serious cases, their student visa.
Ashowed that 94 per cent of students who were sexually harassed in Australia did not make a formal complaint to their university.
Mohammed says staying safe is a right at all Australian universities. In the last couple of years, all Australian universities developed anti-harassment policies that emphasise their commitment towards protecting the well-being of the campus community.
A 2017 survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission showed that 94 per cent of students who were sexually harassed in Australia did not make a formal complaint to their university.
These services, she adds, are free of cost for university students and completely confidential.
“Those facing harassment must report to the university or the police. It will not affect their visa status, safety or future in the country in any case,” she adds.
Mohammed suggests reporting to the police with an option where the complainant can choose not to press charges. This way, she says, the perpetrator gets in police record for future actions.
Mariam Mohammed (2nd from right) with a team of presenters. Source: Author
For more great stories in Urdu 1us_uk_apple_podcasts_listen_badge_rgb.jpg1google_podcasts_badge.png
Also, listen to SBS Urdu radio program on Wednesdays and Sundays at 6:00 pm AEST.
