Response and support for gender-based violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault

GBV can include behaviours such as:

• sexual harassment
• sexual assault
• stalking
• technology-facilitated abuse, including unwanted sexual attention online, image-based abuse, online harassment, monitoring or controlling behaviour using technology
• domestic and family violence
• coercive control
• physical violence, intimidation or threats
• emotional or psychological abuse 
• misuse of positions of authority, influence or power 
• victimisation of a person who has made a disclosure or report.

Gender-based violence can affect people of all genders. However, it disproportionately affects women, transgender and gender-diverse people, and people who experience multiple forms of discrimination or marginalisation. 

In accordance with the Policy: Prevention (and Response) of Sexual Misconduct and Gender-Based Violence, sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, is a form of gender-based violence.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is an unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours, or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances where a person would reasonably feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Examples may include unwelcome sexual comments, sexually suggestive communications, repeated unwanted invitations, inappropriate sexual propositions, indecent exposure, sharing sexual images or content, and other forms of unwanted sexual attention.

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual behaviour that occurs without consent. Sexual assault can take many forms, including unwanted touching, exposure to sexual acts, sexual images taken or shared without consent, and sexual penetration without consent.

Sexual assault is never the fault of the person who experiences it.

Consent is a voluntary, informed, ongoing and mutual agreement between people. It involves respecting autonomy, choices and personal boundaries. Consent is important in all interactions, including professional, academic, social and sexual contexts. 

At ANU, we are committed to fostering a culture of consent, where people feel safe to communicate their needs, have their boundaries respected, and make informed choices about what happens to them. 

Sexual consent means all people involved actively and freely agree to participate in a sexual activity. Consent applies to all forms of sexual activity, including kissing, touching and sexual intercourse. For consent to be present, it must be:

• Freely given without pressure, coercion, intimidation, manipulation or threats.
•  Active and ongoing throughout an interaction.
• Informed and based on a clear understanding of what is being agreed to.
• Mutual and communicated through words and/or actions.
• Specific to the activity taking place.

A person cannot consent if they are:

• Asleep or unconscious
• Significantly affected by drugs or alcohol
• Unable to understand to the nature of the activity or what they are agreeing to.
• Being pressured, coerced, manipulated or threatened.
• Under the age of consent, which is 16 years in the ACT.

Consent can be withdrawn at any time, including after a sexual activity has begun. If someone changes their mind or no longer wishes to continue, that decision must be respected immediately. 

 If you work at ANU or live in Canberra, ACT laws apply. The ACT adopts an affirmative consent model. This means consent must be actively communicated and cannot be assumed. 

ANU is committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive environment for people who have experienced harmful behaviours, including sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence. 

A disclosure is a way of sharing information about an experience or concern to access support, information and guidance. Making a disclosure does not require you to make a formal report or participate in any further process. 

Staff can make a disclosure through the Harmful Behaviours Disclosure Tool (HBDT) (can be anonymous) or by contacting the Staff Respect Consultant at staffrespect@anu.edu.au to discuss available support and options. 

Disclosures can be made by:

• A person who has experienced harmful behaviour.
• A person who has witnessed harmful behaviour.
• A person supporting someone who has experienced harmful behaviour, with their knowledge and consent where possible.

A disclosure may relate to conduct involving ANU staff, students, affiliates, contractors or visitors and may involve behaviours occurring in work, study, research, residential, social or online settings. 

You are in control of how much information you choose to share. Where possible, you will be provided with information about available support, reporting options, and any limitations to confidentiality so that you can make informed decisions about what happens next. 

While ANU will seek to respect the wishes of the person making a disclosure wherever possible, there may be circumstances where the University needs to take action to address serious safety concerns, meet legal obligations, or comply with its responsibilities under relevant legislation and the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence. If this occurs, ANU will endeavour to communicate openly about what information may need to be shared and why.

If you wish to make a formal report, you can contact your local HR team for advice and support regarding available reporting pathways. 

On this page, the term disclosure refers to sharing information about an experience or concern. It does not refer to a statutory disclosure under the University's Public Interest Disclosure Framework. If you wish to make a Public Interest Disclosure, please contact pid@anu.edu.au. For more information, please refer to the Policy: Public Interest Disclosure. 

For more information about the Harmful Behaviours Disclosure process, including the difference between a disclosure and a formal report, available support services and how information may be used and protected, please visit Harmful Behaviours Disclosure. 

If you have experienced, witnessed, or been impacted by harmful behaviours, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of gender-based violence, there are different options available to you depending on the outcome you are seeking. 

Disclosure
A disclosure allows you to seek support, information and guidance without requesting a formal investigation or response. 

You can make a disclosure through the Harmful Behaviours Disclosure Tool or by contacting the Staff Respect Consultant at staffrespect@anu.edu.au 

Making a disclosure does not prevent you from later deciding to make a formal report to ANU or to Police.

Report to ANU 
A report asks the University to formally consider and respond to an allegation through an appropriate documented University process. 

If you choose to make a report, ANU will review the information provided and determine the most appropriate response in accordance with relevant policies, procedures. Depending on the circumstances, a report may lead to enquiries, investigations, workplace adjustments, safety measures, or other actions being considered. 

Reports relating to staff conduct are managed in accordance with relevant ANU policy and procedure and may involve the Employee Relations team at employee.relations@anu.edu.au 

Report to Police 
Reporting to Police means providing information about a potential criminal offence so that Police can assess the matter and, where appropriate, undertake an investigation. 

You can speak with Police to better understand the reporting process and explore your options before deciding whether to make a formal report. There is no time limit on reporting sexual assault to Police. 

Your choice, safety and wellbeing matter 
Choosing whether to make a disclosure, make a report, seek support, or take no further action at this time is a personal decision. ANU is committed to responding in a person-centred and trauma-informed way by providing clear information and support to help staff make informed decisions about options available to them. 

The Staff Respect Consultant provides a single point of contact for ANU staff who have experienced, witnessed, or been impacted by harmful behaviours, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence. The Staff Respect Consultant is also available to support people who are seeking guidance on behalf of a colleague, friend, or team member, or who would like to explore their options before deciding whether to make a disclosure or report.

The Consultant adopts a person-centred and trauma-informed approach that prioritises safety, choice, dignity, and wellbeing. The role is focused on providing information, support, and connection to available services, while respecting each person's circumstances, needs, and decisions. 

The Staff Respect Consultant can assist by:

• Discussing concerns, experiences and available options in a safe and supportive environment.
• Helping you understand available support services and identify support that meets your needs.
• Providing information about harmful behaviours, including sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence.
• Explaining disclosure and reporting options, including relevant ANU processes and pathways.
• Discussing reporting options within ANU and externally, including Police where appropriate.
• Connecting you with specialist support services, wellbeing supports and workplace adjustments.
• Providing guidance if someone has made a disclosure to you.

You do not need to make a disclosure or formal report to speak with the Staff Respect Consultant. Contacting the Staff Respect Consultant does not commit you to taking any particular course of action. The Staff Respect Consultant will seek to respect your wishes and maintain your privacy wherever possible. If information needs to be shared because of serious safety concerns, legal obligations, or ANU's responsibilities under relevant legislation or the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence, this will be explained openly and transparently wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Being the subject of a concern, disclosure or report, can be a difficult and stressful experience. ANU recognises that matters involving harmful behaviours, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence, can affect everyone involved. ANU is committed to managing concerns fairly, respectfully, and in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness. 

Seeking support does not imply responsibility for, or agreement with, any allegation. Support is available to help you understand relevant processes, manage the impacts of the situation, and make informed decisions about your wellbeing and next steps. 

You can discuss available support options and referral pathways with the Staff Respect Consultant by emailing staffrespect@anu.edu.au. 

The following support services are also available to ANU staff:

• ANU Advisers to Staff provides free, confidential and professional counselling and advice to staff navigating work-related or personal concerns. Appointments can be made during business hours by  emailing staff.adviser@anu.edu.au.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free and confidential counselling and support for staff and eligible family members through qualified and independent providers.
  • Assure – Crisis support line available 24/7. Call 1800 808 374.
  • Converge – Offers tailored support options to meet individual needs. Call 1300 687 327.
• Local Human Resources team can provide information about relevant workplace processes and available support options.

Support is available regardless of whether you choose to make a disclosure, make a formal report, seek information, or take no further action. You do not need to engage in a formal process to access support.

The Staff Respect Consultant can provide information, guidance, referrals and support to help you understand your options. To arrange a conversation, email staffrespect@anu.edu.au

You can also access the following support services:

ANU Employee Assistance Program:
 

You can choose from:

Assure
1800 808 374 (24/7 access)
Location: Face to face and online delivery.
Receive up to four (4) appointments per year. Delivery is flexible with appointments available in person, over the phone, or online through email or Zoom. Find out more here:
ANU Assure Information Page
Assure Login

Converge 
1300 687 327  (24/7 access)
Location: Face to face and online delivery.
Receive up to four (4) appointments per year. Appointments can be taken in person or over the phone.

Find out more here:
ANU converge Information Page
Converge Login

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.