Safer Community

Safer Community

Safer Community provides support and advice to RMIT students and staff concerned about threatening or inappropriate behaviour including sexual assault and harassment, and family violence.

What is Safer Community?

At RMIT, we are committed to providing a respectful and safe place to study and work. Safer Community is RMIT's dedicated service for students and staff to report unwanted or threatening behaviour.

This includes sexual harassment, assault, and family violence, as well as other concerning or inappropriate behaviours. 

If you are feeling unsafe or unsure what to do about threatening or unwanted behaviour, you can talk to us about your concerns and options – even if the behaviour happened off campus.

If you or someone you know has experienced unwanted or threatening behaviour, we can help.

When you contact Safer Community, we will:

  • Listen
  • Try to understand what’s important to you
  • Explain and explore options – you decide which is most appropriate
  • Always consider your well-being
  • Discuss with you if we need to take steps to ensure the safety of our community

Learning resources

Information and resources to help you learn more about what sexual harm and inappropriate behaviour are, how to be an active bystander, and how to support someone who discloses sexual harm to you.

What is sexual harm?

Sexual harm is a term used to describe unwanted sexual acts, including sexual harassment and sexual assault.

What is inappropriate behaviour?

Learn more about concerning, threatening or inappropriate behaviour and available support options.

How to be an active bystander

Learn simple, effective and safe ways to call out disrespect when you see it.

Online module: How to support someone who discloses sexual harm to you

Learn how to respond to and support someone who has experienced sexual harm.

Online module: Consent conversations

Learn what makes for appropriate and respectful behaviour, what does and does not constitute sexual consent, and how to intervene safely in difficult situations.

Respect at RMIT

RMIT is partnering with Universities Australia to ensure students and staff are safe from sexual harm.

In 2017, RMIT joined the Respect.Now.Always campaign initiated by Universities Australia. The campaign aimed to understand the nature and prevalence of sexual harassment and assault at universities, to prevent it, and to assist those who have experienced sexual assault or harassment to seek the support they need. As a result of this campaign, RMIT committed to an internal 'Be the Change' campaign and a Changing the Course framework that outlined action over a three-year period (2017-2020). 

While 'Be the Change' has finished, this important work continues and is outlined in a new 'Changing the Course' framework for action. Access our new two-year plan here (PDF).

A student smiles as she hangs a painting of a hand on a peg line

Creating a safe and respectful community at RMIT

We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and valued in their place of study and work. Find out what we're doing to build a culture of respect and make RMIT a safer place for everyone.

Find out more

Contact Safer Community

You can report unwanted or threatening behaviour by contacting Safer Community at RMIT.

Phone: +61 3 9925 2396

Email: safercommunity@rmit.edu.au

Online: Support Request Form

This form has an option to be submitted anonymously; however, please be aware that our ability to provide support and advice might be limited.

Safer Community checks emails, phone messages and submitted support request forms daily from Monday to Friday.

Please note that we are not an emergency service. If you or others feel at risk or consider the situation to be an emergency, phone 000. If you are on campus, contact Campus Security.
 

Help someone else

As a friend, family or staff member you are an important source of support to members of the RMIT community. If you are concerned about an incident, or behaviour you have become aware of, contact us to talk through your concerns.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information