At RMIT we believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and valued in their place of study and work.
Sexual harm is unacceptable and, as an educational institution, RMIT acknowledges that it has an important role to play in building a culture of respect among its students and staff.
We are committed to doing everything we can to prevent and reduce sexual harm. In line with this, RMIT has developed a three-year, whole-of-university change project to address the drivers of sexual harm, strengthen responses and build awareness of support services.
In 2017 RMIT became one of the first universities in Australia to commit to a process of restorative justice as part of a suite of responses in relation to sexual harassment and assault.
RMIT is also focusing on:
Training
- Students living on campus as well as student leaders must complete the Consent Matters online training course.
All students have access to the Consent Matters training course, which is an RMIT microcredential.
- Face-to-face training in responding to disclosures of sexual harm and consent has been organised for student leaders. This training has already commenced, and more is planned.
- Bystander skill development will be embedded within the curriculum of particular programs.
- Staff will be required to know how to respond to reports of sexual harm and complete the online program Responding to Disclosures.
Restorative Justice
- The Centre for Innovative Justice has developed an RMIT framework for a Restorative Engagement program.
- RMIT's senior executive team has committed to undertake training in Restorative Justice.
Support
- In 2017, RMIT contracted CASA House to provide specialist on campus counselling for students who have experienced sexual harm. Since this time, the RMIT Safer Community team has increased staffing resources and is recruiting a sexual harm counsellor to support students.
- These students have priority access to free University counselling. RMIT Counselling Service psychologists have been trained by CASA.
- RMIT support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Students: (03) 9925 2396 (office hours) 1300 305 737 (after-hours)
- Staff: 1300 786 860 (office hours) 0413 119 909 (after-hours)
Culture change
- Policy reviews are currently in process and an engagement campaign is under development.
- The Vice-Chancellor's Respect.Now.Always Advisory Group was established to guide and monitor progress.
