Our 2024 Annual Report on Sexual Misconduct |
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Dear students,
Today we published our 2024 Annual Report on Sexual Misconduct, underscoring our commitment to transparency, accountability and care in addressing sexual misconduct within our community. Our work is aligned with the requirements of the proposed National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence and reflects our ongoing dedication to safety and respect for all.
We acknowledge the strength and courage of all victim-survivors – both those who have come forward to share their experiences and those who have not. Sexual misconduct is unacceptable in any form, and we recognise our unique responsibility to help drive meaningful change in our community.
Our third annual report outlines the progress we made in 2024 to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct, guided by evidence-based strategies and, critically, shaped by the voices of victim-survivors. It also includes data on reports of University related and non-University related incidents of sexual misconduct and outcomes of complaints that were finalised in 2024.
While we have made progress in fostering a safer and more respectful environment for our community, we continue working to listen, build trust, and reduce barriers for those who bravely report sexual misconduct. The report also sets out our priorities for 2025, aimed at strengthening safety and support frameworks for victim-survivors and enhancing preventative initiatives. |
Throughout 2024 we delivered a range of educational, awareness and support initiatives to meet the needs of our community, in response to welcome feedback from students and staff. These included establishing a partnership with The Survivor Hub to increase access to support on campus, hosting events featuring advocates and experts in the gendered violence space, and delivering targeted training to student and staff groups.
Recognising the importance of partnership and collaboration, members of our community co-designed and/or facilitated many of our initiatives and we thank those involved for their valued input. An example of this is the new Respect@Sydney module, developed through consultation with students, staff, victim-survivors and experts. This module was successfully launched in Semester 1 this year.
During the year we also continued to focus our efforts on raising awareness of reporting options and support services through University-wide communications, to encourage anyone who may have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct to seek support. This will be a heightened focus in the coming months. |
In 2024 we received 231 reports of sexual misconduct and our Safer Communities Office provided case management support to 176 students and staff. There was a seven percent increase in the ratio of complaints to disclosures, which may be attributed to greater awareness of and confidence in our complaints handling processes and a higher number of bystander complaints. Of the 231 reports: |
- 176 reports were disclosures (reports by people who don’t want the University to investigate or take specific action in response to the incident, but may be seeking support), compared with 246 in 2023.
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55 were complaints (reports by people who want the University to investigate or take specific action in response to the incident), compared with 30 in 2023.
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84 reports had no connection with the University (other than that the report was made by a member of the University community seeking support). Where complaints are not related to the University, we are unable to investigate them, however our Safer Communities Office still provides trauma-informed care and support.
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119 reports were categorised as University-related conduct (conduct that is connected to the University, such as conduct that occurs at or in connection with a University campus, accommodation, residential college or event, including events run by or affiliated with student clubs and societies).
- 37 reports were categorised as ‘unknown’ due to insufficient information provided.
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In 2025 we have recommitted to a whole-of-institution approach for targeted action to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all. Our initiatives include refining and consolidating existing preventative education programs, developing bystander training, building a network of student ambassadors and increasing collaboration with other higher education institutions and external organisations.
Our actions to address sexual misconduct are aligned with obligations under the proposed National Code, the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education and guidance from the National Student Ombudsman. They also support the work we have begun to implement the Respect@Work program, which includes refreshing our Respect in our Community staff training module and an institution-wide campaign to increase awareness of the Safer Communities Office as a resource for both students and staff.
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I recognise the information in today’s report may be distressing for many and encourage you to reach out for support if you need it. There are a range of University and external support services available to you and our students, including: |
To find out more about our work or to make a confidential report of sexual misconduct, please visit the website. As a University, we'll continue to listen to our community to improve the way we address sexual misconduct, to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
Kind regards,
Mark Professor Mark Scott AO
Vice-Chancellor and President | |
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