In 2017, RMIT set about responding to the recommendations made by the Australian Human Rights Commission and Universities Australia to change the course on sexual harm.
On the five-year anniversary of Change the Course, progress continues to be made, with RMIT and RUSU committing to changing the way students making a formal report of sexual assault or sexual harassment will be supported through that process.
The change signals another positive step in the collaboration and commitment of University and student leadership towards creating a safe and respectful environment for all students, including preventing incidents of sexual harm and other forms of gender-based violence.
Professor Alec Cameron, RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, and Adam Steiner, RUSU President, have issued a joint statement confirming this shared approach.
Joint statement from RMIT University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Alec Cameron and RUSU President Adam Steiner:
RMIT and RUSU are working together to create a safe and respectful environment for all students, with a new and strengthened focus on prevention and response efforts to sexual harm and other forms of gender- based violence.
We’ve listened to the feedback from the National Student Safety Survey and with the wonderful advocacy of RUSU, we’re working together to improve both prevention of harm and support mechanisms in place for those who have experienced sexual harm.
On the five-year anniversary of Change the Course, we are united in taking a strong stance, committing to changing the way students make a formal report of sexual assault or sexual harassment and how they are supported through that process.
By introducing trauma-informed, victim-centered procedures for supporting students through the formal reporting process, it demonstrates we’re listening and taking action.
We are proud that RMIT is leading the university sector to prioritise student safety in this way and commit to cementing this approach together.
Resources for students
Respect RMIT – Reducing sexual harm
At RMIT we’re proud of our diverse and inclusive community. We believe everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, valued and treated as an equal in their place of study and work.
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.
