The STOP Campaign’s submission to the Australian Universities Accord details allegations of sexual violence and institutional betrayal. Photo: The STOP Campaign.
CONTENT WARNING: This story discusses sexual violence.
Australian National University (ANU) students who were allegedly sexual assaulted on campus have been left ‘unheard’, ‘invalidated’ and re-traumatised, according to a submission to a national review.
A number of ANU respondents to a survey by The STOP Campaign reported feeling unsupported by the university when they allegedly experienced sexual violence or harm.
“I filled out an ANU form to report my sexual assault within six months of the incident. I never heard back from the ANU, and this stuck with me,” one person said.
“I felt unheard, invalidated and as though I was a nuisance from the one attempt I made to report one of my experiences of harassment and assault,” another said.
While a third respondent who reported being sexually assaulted on ANU’s campuses three times recalled one incident which they “refused to report anything after” experiencing.
“I had someone grab me and try to drag me into his room … I brought it up to one of the student wellbeing teams at the ANU, who told me it doesn’t count as assault,” they said.
Two more alleged victim-survivors reported being told by ANU staff they needed to write a detailed statement to be provided to the alleged perpetrator, who would be given a chance to respond in writing.
But the alleged victim-survivors would never see this response and an outcome would be decided about 12 weeks later.
“This is an incredibly re-traumatising process,” one person said.
An ANU spokesperson said in a lengthy statement provided to Region the university was unable to discuss individual student misconduct cases and complaints.
“It is also difficult to respond to a report that has not been sent to the university and which is based on anonymised testimony from an undetermined period of time,” they said.
STOP received 52 responses related to various Australian universities, but one quarter of respondents reported experiences of violence and harm within or connected to the ANU in-particular.
This prompted STOP, which was founded in 2018 by an ANU student and resident, to profile the campus as a case study in their submission to the Australian Universities Accord.
Co-author and ANU resident Megan Rollings said the student-led campaign’s submission, titled Sexual Violence and Institutional Betrayal in Australian University Residential Halls and Student Accommodation, was designed to de-stigmatise sexual violence and amplify student voices.
“We need student voices to be heard because these are the people who have lived experience in these areas and know what is beneficial,” she said.
“These are the people that are being affected and these are the people that we know have lived through the consequences of poor responses [by universities].
“That applies to universities across Australia, not just the ANU, but it is definitely something that was highlighted when we constructed the case study on the ANU.”
STOP called on ANU to implement in full the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2017 Change the Course report and 2018 ANU-commissioned Nous Group Review’s recommendations.
The ANU spokesperson said the university was committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment and achieving a culture free from sexual and gender-based violence, directing students who did report allegations to “appropriate and specialist” pastoral care and clinical support.
“All ANU students are supported to safely report and disclose alleged incidents of student misconducts. Reports lead to formal investigations,” they said.
The spokesperson said ANU had been undertaking comprehensive work to address sexual and gender-based violence for a number of years and outlined several examples.
“ANU has attempted to engage with the STOP Campaign on a number of occasions on mutually beneficial education and prevention programs and to work with ANU staff who are experts in and have significant training and experience in trauma and evidence-informed support and care,” they said.
“Unfortunately, the STOP Campaign has chosen not to take up these opportunities.”
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732.
Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, Lifeline 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline 1800 551 800. In an emergency, call triple zero.
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