Charles Sturt University (CSU) deputy vice-chancellor professor Toni Downes says the university is continuing its work to support a culture of safety and respect.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In September 2016, Fair Agenda contacted 217 residences in Australia with a survey to obtain information on what training each residence planned on providing for students and staff in 2017.
The survey found one in six college halls or residences said it would run sexual assault prevention training involving a suitably qualified sexual assault service in 2017.
CSU was involved in the survey and was shown not to involve a qualified sexual assault service.
Seven CSU university campuses were involved in the survey from across NSW. CSU in Port Macquarie was not one of the universities involved in the survey.
The seven CSU university campuses responded to the survey and said all first year students would be provided with training in sexual consent and preventing sexual violence in 2017.
Two of those seven CSU campuses responded to the survey and said training would be conducted in house.
Five CSU campuses said this training would be provided by utilising a peer reviewed educational resource developed by lawyer Adair Donaldson.
The training is delivered by CSU residential advisors under guidance from CSU residence life staff members.
“This is because research has shown that peer led 'distributed leadership' learning is the most effective form of delivery for this kind of training,” the CSU response to the survey said.
Prof Downes said sexual misconduct against any student or staff member is unacceptable.
“The university supports victims to make a report to police, if they wish to do so and to access appropriate counselling and sexual assault services,” she said.
The university will continue to take appropriate action when allegations have been substantiated as required under the General Misconduct rule.
Security services are provided at CSU through a combination of campus and mobile patrols, 24/7 emergency response and static guarding.
The University of Newcastle was contacted for the Fair Agenda survey but did not respond.
Prof Downes said CSU is supportive of a survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) of sexual assault and harassment at universities.
The AHRC is expected to publish its findings in the middle of 2017.