Please note - since this item was recorded, Universities Australia has announced plans to conduct another National Student Safety Survey to find updated figures for sexual assault and harassment on campuses post-covid.
TRANSCRIPT
The Federal Government has renewed a push to stop sexual harassment and assault on University campuses.
The 2021 National Student Safety Survey found that one in 20 students had been sexually assaulted since starting university and one in six reported being sexually harassed.
Jason Clare is the Federal Education Minister.
He says those stats simply aren't good enough.
"Mr Speaker, we have to get this right. Safety on campus has been talked about for long enough. The statistics are shocking. I have met with the remarkable young women from the Stop Campaign and from Stop Rape on Campus and listened to their stories. Stories not only of what has happened to their fellow students, but of a confused and inadequate response process within our universities, of inconsistent complaint processes."
The government released the Universities Accord Interim Report last month [[JULY 19]] which recommended more needs to be done to make universities safer for students and staff.
Mr Clare has appointed Patty Kinnersly, the head of violence against women prevention organisation Our Watch, to lead a new working group.
The working group will consult with advocacy groups and provide advice to improve university governance.
Mr Clare says university governing bodies have not done enough to stop sexual assault and harassment on their campuses.
"Universities have responsibilities to their staff and to their students which must be met. The Accord Panel's interim report makes it clear that more and more jobs in the future will require a university qualification. That means more students at our universities, getting the quality education that they deserve and building the skills that our country is going to need and we need to make sure that they are safe."
Professor David Lloyd is the chair of the sector's peak body, Universities Australia.
He admits there's a problem.
"We have a significant issue in our institutions which we have to step up on and be accountable for. We cannot do enough to actually engage to deliver better outcomes four students in this matter. The fact that 1-in-5 students experiences sexual harassment and that 1-in-20 students had a sexual assault while at university is absolutely unacceptable and every single one of the Vice Chancellors here in this room would stand beside me and say we cannot tolerate a single instance on our campuses."
However, Universities Australia has been criticised for not doing enough to stop sexual violence on campuses.
Recently, it was revealed that the body dumped a consent program when some university Vice-Chancellors objected to its explicit nature, despite receiving 1.5 million dollars in government funding for anti-harassment training.
Greens spokesperson on Women Larissa Waters says both the government and Universities Australia need to do better.
"Well we just saw this morning the government is starting to realise that the epidemic of sexual violence on campus might need something done about it. But what we saw this morning was the bare minimum. The Minister has appointed some great new people to a working group, but where are the timeframes for that working group? Where is the commitment to actually do what is necessary to keep students safe on campus? It is not too much to ask."
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says universities need to be more supportive of students.
"Creating a culture of safety requires survivors having the means to come forward without fear and with support. Clear and accessible reporting mechanisms are essential. Some universities have stronger policies than others, but given the seriousness of both the issue and the students statistics being reported, it is clear that more must be done to protect and support students. It is vital that universities increase access to counselling, legal guidance, medical services, and mental health resources. It is also vital that students are made aware of these resources and are encouraged to use them."
If you or someone you know wants to talk about sexual assault or harassment, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
