Responding

Reporting sexual assault or harassment

Find information on what sexual assault and sexual harassment are, when and how to report them, and how you can help someone who has experienced it.

Making a report

To report an incident of sexual assault or sexual harassment to Macquarie University, submit a report online.

If you are not able to access RNA Report Online, there is a Microsoft Word version [DOC 58KB] of the report form available – complete the Word form and email it to respect@mq.edu.au.

You can report anonymously, or provide contact information when you make a report.

If you have questions about making a report, you can discuss these with staff at Student Wellbeing.

Helpful information

Below you will find information which will help you make the best decision for yourself or the person you are supporting.

Sexual assault and sexual harassment

Sexual assault is:

• any sexual or sexualised act that has not been consented to, agreed upon, invited, or chosen
• a betrayal of trust and denial of each person’s right to determine what happens to their body
• committed against people regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, and background
• sometimes referred to as rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence.

Sexual harassment is:

• any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated
• not sexual interaction, flirtation or friendship which is mutual or consensual

Sexual harassment might include:

• discussions of a sexual nature or graphic sexual description
• sexual innuendos, slurs, jokes and comments
• asking personal questions about a person’s sex life or body
• repeated unwanted requests for sex and/or dates
• lewd gestures such as hand signs to indicate sexual activity
• displaying or distributing sexually suggestive visuals including pictures, calendars, posters, or sexually explicit materials such as videos or text
• inappropriate touching such as patting, pinching, stroking or brushing up against the body
• touching or rubbing oneself sexually around another person, or exposing yourself

Refer to our Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Prevention Policy and Student Code of Conduct for further information.

Consent

Consent is when a person freely and voluntarily agrees to sexual activity. Sexual assault occurs when someone is unable to and/or does not give consent. Consent is not always verbal but must be given before people engage in any sexual activity.

The legal age of consent in NSW is 16 years old, regardless of gender.

The law says that a person may be unable to give consent when:

• asleep or unconscious
• significantly intoxicated or affected by drugs
• unable to understand consent due to their age or intellectual capacity
• intimidated, coerced or threatened
• unlawfully detained or held against their will
• there is abuse of power or a position of trust
• the law requires the alleged perpetrator to demonstrate what steps they took to ensure consent was given.

When to report

Reporting sexual assault or sexual harassment early can be beneficial, though you can report sexual assault or sexual harassment at any time.

When you report the incident, you will speak with someone who can offer you access to support and information, and discuss options with you.

Counselling services provide support to people who have experienced sexual assault at any time in their life. It is never too late to seek support.

How to report

If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, you are encouraged to contact one of the services listed above to get support and information.

Seeking support is not the same as making a report.

You can report sexual assault or sexual harassment to the University or to NSW Police.

Report to the University

Making a report means that you are asking for a response. If you report to the University, a range of responses are possible, depending on the information which you provide. If you want to discuss what kinds of responses are possible, contact staff at Student Wellbeing.

Report to the police

You can also report to the police, who will ask you about the incident and discuss the possibility of a criminal investigation. You have the option of contacting your nearest Police Station, or you can complete a Sexual Assault Reporting Options (SARO) questionnaire.

Visit the NSW Police sexual assault information webpage to find out more about reporting to the NSW Police. You can also access a SARO questionnaire from this site. To find your nearest Police station, visit the NSW Police search webpage.

Making a complaint to the University

You can report via RNA Report Online.

Helping someone who has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment

The first response to a person who tells you they have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment is critical to their wellbeing, recovery and decision-making.

Decisions should not be made for the person who has shared this information with you. Rather, they should be referred to Student Wellbeing or 1800 MQ CARE, and the information on this website.

If there is an immediate risk to health and safety, action should be taken.

In an emergency, contact any of the following:

• Police and Ambulance Services (immediate safety and medical concerns)
  T: 000
• 1800 RESPECT (sexual assault counselling and information)
  T: 1800 737 732
• Macquarie University Security (on-campus emergency)
  T: +61 (2) 9850 9999

Responding

Your response should focus on supporting the person to get the help they need.

It is important to be supportive and non-judgemental, and here are some simple actions you can take:

• listen to and acknowledge the person’s disclosure
• recognise how difficult it is for a person to disclose
• affirm that it was not their fault – perpetrators are responsible for their own actions
• be supportive and encouraging
• walk the student to Student Wellbeing, if appropriate.

If someone discloses their experience of sexual assault or sexual harassment, it is important to respect their confidentiality.

While there may be a need to discuss the disclosure with other people – including University counsellors and security, or external support services – you should be mindful of limiting the number of people who are made aware of the disclosure.

What to avoid doing

Actions you should avoid include:

• asking questions such as “What were you wearing or doing?” and “Did you flirt with them?” – this may come across blame, and prevent the person from feeling safe
• trying to “fix” the problem for them – and it is important that they receive the support from a qualified professional
• touching the person – someone who has been sexually assaulted may find physical contact difficult and may not want to be touched, so you should respect their wishes.

Remember, your response should focus on supporting the person to get the help they need. Being non-judgemental and supportive reminds them that seeking support is the right thing to do.

Referring someone for support

It is critical that people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment are given access to appropriate support. Unless you are a clinical psychologist, it is inappropriate for you to personally offer counselling or advice.

When someone discloses to you, encourage them to access on and off-campus support. A good question to ask is “What kind of support do you need right now?”.

Specialist sexual assault counselling services also talk to people about the options available to them, and provide this information to anyone supporting a person who has experienced a sexual assault:

1800 RESPECT – Rape & Domestic Violence Service Australia

Counselling is available 24/7, whether you're seeking help for yourself, a friend or relative, a colleague or a client. Professionals are also encouraged to use 1800 RESPECT for support with secondary referrals or vicarious trauma.

T: 1800 737 732

Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Services

Forensic and counselling service for adult victims of sexual assault.

T: +61 (2) 9462 9477

NSW Rape Crisis Centre

24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling service for anyone in NSW – men and women – who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault and their non-offending supporters.

T: 1800 424 017

Keeping a record

Should a criminal investigation or internal discipline process take place following the disclosure, anyone involved may be called to give evidence. Notes and documents may also form evidence.

Every effort should be made to ensure that written records are clear, accurate and appropriate. However, keep in mind that you are not investigating or gathering evidence. You are simply recording the things you are told and what you observed.

Following a disclosure, you should consider recording the following:

• name of the person disclosing
• time and date of disclosure
• time, date and location of the incident
• brief description of disclosure

Impact of disclosure on me

It is important to look after yourself. Exposure to a person’s experience of trauma may impact upon your own mental and physical wellbeing – this is known as vicarious trauma.

Counselling services which support people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment also provide support to their family, friends, colleagues, and those who receive a disclosure.

If you find someone’s disclosure has impacted on your wellbeing, then you are encouraged to contact a support service.

NSW Rape Crisis (provided by Rape & Domestic Violence Service Australia)

NSW Rape Crisis delivers support to friends, relatives, colleagues and professionals who experience and/or work with vicarious trauma.

T: 1800 424 017

Students

If you are a student, you can contact Student Wellbeing.

T: +61 (2) 9850 7497
E: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au

Staff

If you are a staff member, you are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is a free confidential counselling, coaching and wellbeing service.

The EAP service is provided 24/7 by Benestar.

Call Benestar on 1300 360 364 or log in to Benestar for online support.

Effects of sexual assault and sexual harassment

Sexual assault and sexual harassment affect everyone differently but often includes physical and emotional trauma. These impacts can be severe and long-lasting and may affect a person’s ability to study, work, socialise and maintain relationships.

The effects of sexual assault and sexual harassment can also impact upon friends, family members and loved ones, as well as fellow students and staff. The possible effects of sexual assault and sexual harassment include:

• difficulty sleeping
• difficulty concentrating on simple tasks
• mood swings and angry outbursts
• hyper-vigilance – feeling that your surroundings are always unsafe
• avoiding or disengaging from social activities
• intrusive thoughts, recurrent dreams, or flashbacks
• feeling isolated
• self-harming, suicidal ideation

Visit the Respect. Now. Always. project page for more information.