Sexual harassment and sexual assault response and support

Sexual harassment is an unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours or any other unwelcome sexual conduct in circumstances in which the person who is exposed to the conduct reasonably feels offended, humiliated or intimidated. Sexual harassment can include:

• Displays of sexually graphic materials including posters, cartoons or messages left on noticeboards, desks or common areas
• Repeated invitations to develop a closer or intimate relationship after prior refusal
• Unwelcome and uncalled for remarks or insinuations about a person's sex or private life
• Comments of a sexually suggestive nature about a person's appearance or body
• Sexually offensive phone calls
• Offensive emails and text messages of a sexual nature
• Unwanted sexual attention using internet, social networking sites and mobile phones
• Revenge porn
• Sexual propositions
• Indecent exposure
• Pressuring a student or staff member to engage in sexual behaviour for some educational or employment benefit, or by making a real or perceived threat that rejecting sexual behaviour will carry a negative consequence for the student or staff member including in the performance of duties, learning and development, opportunities for progression, travel, accommodation, or in a university programme or activity.

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual behaviour you have not consented to. Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim and can take many forms ranging from:

• unwanted touching 
• exposure to sexual acts 
• sexual images taken without consent
• any form of sexual penetration.

Sexual assault is a crime in all Australian jurisdictions.

Consent is when two or more people explicitly agree to participate in a sexual act including intercourse, kissing and touching. Consent to sexual acts is freely given.

You are unable to consent if you are:

• asleep, unconscious or significantly affected by drugs or alcohol
• unable to understand what you are consenting to
• pressured or coerced to have sex because of threats, force, fear, or harm to yourself or someone else
• under the age of consent which is 16 years in the ACT.

Consent can be withdrawn at any point, including after a sexual activity has begun.

ANU puts the wellbeing and needs of the person who has been impacted by sexual harassment or sexual assault first, and as such, will act in line with their wishes.

We acknowledge that disclosing sexual harassment or sexual assault can be a difficult decision, and that a person must feel safe and confident that any disclosure will be treated respectfully and appropriately.

Staff can make a disclosure of harmful behaviours, including sexual harassment or sexual assault, using this form. The form allows staff and students to make an identified or de-identified (anonymous) disclosure. Alternatively, you can make a disclosure by emailing the Staff Respect Consultant on staffrespect@anu.edu.au or by calling extension 56763. You can choose to remain anonymous when calling the Staff Respect Consultant. If you would like to lodge a report, you can go directly to your local HR area.

 *Disclosures can be made either directly by a person who experienced or witnessed sexual harassment and/or sexual assault or supported by another person. The disclosure can be about an incident involving staff and/or students at the ANU.

You are in control of how much information you provide in the disclosure regarding your experience.

Although we have used the term ‘disclosure’, we are not referring to a statutory ‘disclosure’. If you are looking to make a statutory disclosure (as a whistleblower) then you should contact pid@anu.edu.au. For more information about the University’s Public Interest Disclosure framework visit Policy: Public interest disclosure 

Please visit Harmful behaviours disclosure for more information on:

• the difference between a disclosure and a report,
• why it is important to submit a disclosure,
• how your information will be used, and,
• what support is available if someone has made a disclosure to you.

A disclosure of harmful behaviours is a mechanism for the ANU to provide you with information and support. Lodging a disclosure does not prevent you from also looking at your reporting options both within the ANU and directly to the Police.

Reporting means making an official complaint in a documented process. Reporting to ANU means that ANU will review the allegation and decide whether to proceed with an enquiry under the Procedure: Serious Misconduct. A report of sexual misconduct will usually be made to the Employee Relations team at employee.relations@anu.edu.au.

Reporting to Police means giving as much information as possible to begin a police investigation. You can meet with the police to talk about the reporting process before you decide whether you want to make an official report. There is no time limit on reporting: you can make a report no matter how long ago the incident took place.

The Staff Respect Consultant provides a single point of contact for ANU staff who have experienced sexual misconduct or for someone who is supporting a person who is not ready to lodge a disclosure or report to the ANU.

The Staff Respect Consultant prioritises the safety and wellbeing of the person who has been subjected to sexual harassment or sexual assault and can assist with a coordinated approach to:

• Provide a safe space to speak through questions and concerns
• Safety information and links to community services
• Information and referrals to specialist support services at ANU and community services
• Information on reporting processes within ANU and Police
• Work alongside the staff member to identify access to areas of support

Being accused of perpetuating sexual misconduct is a serious matter and can be a traumatic experience. ANU has a duty of care that applies to all parties named in a disclosure or report with the University. ANU is committed to following procedural fairness (also known as natural justice) in the interests of all parties.

If you have been accused of sexual misconduct you can discuss support options with the Staff Respect Consultant by emailing staffrespect@anu.edu.au or by calling 02 6125 6763.

You also have access to the following services to support you during this time and provide you with information to assist with your decision making:

• The ANU Advisor to Staff provides free, confidential and professional counselling and advice to staff on-campus in dealing with work-related or personal issues.
• Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providers are qualified, experienced and independent and the service is free and confidential for staff and their family members.
• Your local Human Resources team.

The Staff Respect Consultant is available to connect with you. The Consultant works from person-centred and trauma-informed practice frameworks. This means that you will be treated with dignity and respect and will receive a transparent and confidential service that will empower you to make choices and connect with others. you can organise a confidential conversation by calling 02 6125 6763, emailing staffrespect@anu.edu.au or by booking an appointment. You can also choose to remain anonymous when you call extension 56763.

You can also connect with the ANU Employee Assistance Program:
You can choose from:

Assure – 1800 808 374
Multiple locations
Receive up to four (4) appointments per year. Delivery is flexible with appointments available in person, over the phone, or online through email or Skype.
Assure also provide a 24hr crisis hotline. 
assureprograms.com.au

Relationships Australia – 02 6122 7100
Location: Face to face delivery
Receive up to four (4) appointments per year. Appointments can be taken in person or over the phone.
racr.org.au

ANU Adviser to Staff – The Adviser to Staff provides free, confidential and professional counselling and advice to staff on-campus in dealing with work-related or personal issues that may be affecting their work. On-campus appointments can be made during business hours. You can email staff.adviser@anu.edu.au.
ANU has three Advisers to Staff on campus:

• Gail Frank - Ext 53616 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays & Thursday)
• Amanda Morrison -Ext 56770 (Wednesday) 
• Maaria Haque - Ext 58283 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)