Macquarie University has been participating in the national Respect. Now. Always. campaign, addressing awareness and prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault on university campuses in Australia. Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton provides the latest information update about Macquarie’s participation in the campaign.

The Respect. Now. Always. campaign was launched on our campus in August with a screening of The Hunting Ground – a film that explores the issues and institutional responses in the American university system. We are continuing the campaign with new initiatives on campus.

In addition to wide-ranging respectful relationships training for student leaders, we will be conducting sexual assault disclosure training for staff and developing a standalone Sexual Assault Policy to embed respectful behaviour and sexual ethics at the university and to ensure a comprehensive, accessible and effective response to incidents of sexual violence.

We have also developed a central hub with a range of materials and resources that you may find helpful when considering or dealing with these issues.

As part of the broader Respect. Now. Always. campaign across all Australian universities, some Macquarie students have been randomly selected to participate in Australia’s first-ever national survey on university student experiences of sexual assault and harassment.

The survey is completely anonymous and is being run by the independent Australian Human Rights Commission with assistance from Roy Morgan Research and Universities Australia, which will inform a final report on this issue by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

If you have not been randomly selected but would like to share your views, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission’s website.

I am very committed to providing a safe, respectful and enjoyable experience for everyone who chooses to work and study with us, and I am grateful for your support for this very important initiative.

If you have any questions about the Respect. Now. Always. project, or any of the issues raised, please contact Tatiana Lozano on 02 9850 7380.