How to support others

Find out how to support someone who has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment.

What to do

In an emergency, use the emergency contacts listed on the reporting page.

If someone tells you they have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, you can help link them to support, and identify report options. Being non-judgemental and supportive reminds them that seeking support is the right thing to do.

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
  • during business hours, phone Student Wellbeing (+61 (2) 9850 7497) to ask for an urgent appointment. If the student does not want to speak to Student Wellbeing staff, ask if you can discuss the situation with staff and relay the information to the student.
  • Outside of business hours, you can call 1800 CARE MQ (1800 2273 67)

If someone discloses their experience of sexual assault or sexual harassment, it is important to respect their confidentiality. Share the least information you need to, with the least number of people. Any information shared with University psychologists is confidential.

What not to do

Actions to avoid include:

  • Don’t start asking questions to try to investigate what happened. This may come across blame, and prevent the person from feeling safe
  • Don’t try to “fix” the situation - it is important that the person receives support from a qualified professional, and has time to consider what they want to do
  • Don’t touch the person – someone who has been sexually assaulted may find physical contact difficult and may not want to be touched
  • Don’t contact the person reported as the perpetrator before discussing the situation with Student Wellbeing staff.
  • Don’t discuss the matter widely with others, whether online or face-to-face.

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

Looking after yourself

Hearing about another person’s experience of sexual assault or sexual harassment may affect your own wellbeing. 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 affected you, you can contact services at the University, or one of the external support services.

Students

If you are a student, you can contact Student Wellbeing by phone at +61 (2) 9850 7497 or via email at wellbeing@mq.edu.au.

Staff

Staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is a free confidential counselling, coaching and wellbeing service, provided 24/7 by Benestar.

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

Student Diversity and Inclusion