There is no place for gender-based violence at RMIT.
We are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone. We will continue to support those impacted by gender-based violence, whether physical or non-physical, no matter where it occurs.
The Australian Government’s National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (the National Code) came into effect on 1 January 2026.
It sets consistent standards for all Australian universities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including governance and accountability, creating safe environments, education and training, support services, and transparent reporting.
RMIT welcomes the National Code as an opportunity to enhance our prevention and response initiatives, and to ensure our students and staff have access to safe, trauma-informed support when they need it most.
Our progress
RMIT is developing its Prevention and Response Plan 2026-2029 (the Plan) which will serve as our Whole-of-Organisation Prevention and Response Plan under the National Code.
We continue to make meaningful progress to deliver prevention and response efforts across RMIT, and work is underway to identify further opportunities to strengthen our approach. These will be included in our Plan.
Key activities include redeveloping staff and student e-learning modules, delivering targeted training programs, co-designing prevention and response initiatives with students and staff, and strengthening relevant policies, processes and our approach to data, evaluation and measuring impact.
The Plan 2026-2029 will build on our foundational work over the last decade, including actions set out in our Respect at RMIT Progress Report, Planning for Change report and our Addressing Gender-based Violence Action Plans and supporting policies and procedures.
RMIT’s response to the National Code is overseen by the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Group for Addressing Gender-based Violence, University Executive and Council.
The Plan will undergo consultation with our community throughout June 2026.
Our commitment
Gender-based violence is a national priority, and universities play a critical role in prevention and response.
RMIT’s approach centres on building trust, understanding and confidence in our prevention work and response processes.
Every leader, staff member and student has a role to play in creating a safe and respectful community.
Support and reporting
IIf you experience or witness gender-based violence or harassment, you can discuss your options in a safe space, make a confidential disclosure or formal report through Safer Community.
RMIT’s Safer Community advisors are experienced and trained in supporting students and staff regarding concerns or experiences of violence, concerning, inappropriate, unwanted, or threatening behaviour including sexual harassment, harm and violence.
Contact
Want to know more about RMIT’s 2026-2029 Prevention and Response Plan? Email the Prevention and Respect team: respect@rmit.edu.au.
We're happy to talk through where we are up to, how it's being shaped, and how to get involved.
