Students empowered to create cultural change to reduce sexual harm

Students empowered to create cultural change to reduce sexual harm

Student leaders are being empowered to call out disrespectful behaviour to prevent sexual harm and drive cultural change.

RMIT Surf Club President Terry Bushell was among student leaders who've participated in a new cultural change program. RMIT Surf Club President Terry Bushell was among student leaders who've participated in a new cultural change program.

More than 100 RMIT University Student Union (RUSU) club leaders have undertaken bystander intervention training so far this year.

Another 100 students are expected to complete the evidence-based training in Semester Two, and plans are also underway to expand the program into several RMIT Schools.

The training program is one of the initiatives from the Change the Course three-year framework, which aims to build a community where every student and staff member feels safe, respected, valued and treated as an equal.

The two-hour, face-to-face program - officially called Bringing in the Bystander – is specifically designed for universities and tailored to the Australian context.

It is led by an expert facilitator in conjunction with a trained RMIT student facilitator.

Director of Student Wellbeing and Inclusion Fiona Ellis said the training was a primary prevention initiative, which aimed to prevent sexual harm from occurring in the first instance.

“The training focuses on building respectful relationships by addressing the drivers of sexual violence,” Ellis said.

“Students learn about the role of bystanders in cultural change and are taught practical skills to help them call out disrespectful behaviour safely.

“We know that disrespectful behaviours in our community predict higher rates of sexual harm. 

“The training is about understanding this link so our community feels motivated to challenge disrespectful behaviour.”  

Ellis said RMIT was seeking to create a community where students and staff felt engaged and empowered to bring about cultural change to prevent sexual harm from occurring.

“The response from student leaders who have attended the training has been positive,” she said.

“Perhaps most pleasing is that student leaders tell us they have a greater understanding of sexual harm, its drivers and are more confident to call out disrespectful behaviour.”

RMIT Surf Club President Terry Bushell and Secretary Maddy Simioni were among student leaders who attended the training.

Simioni, who is studying social work, said the training highlighted the impact of “things that happen all the time”.

“I thought the bystander training was really good because there was a lot of consideration of everyday things that happen,” she said.

“For all the members to know that we would be good to talk to and that we’d listen and they are safe, that’s important”.

Bushell said the club had a male-dominated culture when he joined four years ago. Now, more than 50 per cent of the club’s 400 members are women.

Bushell, who is studying a Master of Civil Engineering and a Diploma of Languages (Spanish) and works at RMIT in administration, said that he grew up with sisters and considered himself a feminist, so when he took over as President, he tried to transform the culture.

“I promoted females on the committee, having a friendly environment and it’s worked.

“We’ve got a lot of really talented women on the committee as well and our camps are roughly evenly split.

“I’ve noticed that as we’ve put more women on the committee there’s been less issues arising and then if they do, we can call them out.”

Futsal Club President and RMIT Alumnus Richard McPhillips said the bystander intervention training validated and encouraged the club’s initiative to establish a mixed team.

Story: Amelia Harris and Cassandra Scott
 

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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.