Sexual assault, sexual harassment and gender-based violence: reporting and support
Make an identified disclosure or formal report
Make an anonymous disclosure or formal report
If you have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence, support is available.
This is regardless of whether:
- It was recent or historical
- It occurred on or off campus, or online
- It involved a student, staff member, or member of the public
- You want to be kept anonymous
The University will take your concerns seriously and support you to make choices that feel right for you. We're here to help you understand your options.
Campus Care
When you make a disclosure or formal report of sexual harm or gender-based violence to the University, specialist staff within Campus Care will provide you with trauma-informed support and chat with you about your safety and needs.
If you're a student, Campus Can can assist you to access:
- University wellbeing support including health services, counselling, financial wellbeing, and AccessAbility
- Information about the formal reporting process at the University and external reporting options
- Support for safety planning
- Academic adjustments to help manage your studies, including submitting an Adverse Circumstances application
- Student Advocacy
Hours
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (AEST/AEDT). Campus Care does not operate during the University shut-down period.
Your options
- Making a disclosure allows you to share information about an experience. You can receive support and information, and explore options at your own pace.
- You are not starting an investigation. An investigation will not be conducted unless you choose to change your disclosure to a formal report later, or the University has an obligation to do so to protect the safety and wellbeing of students and/or staff. If this applies, we’ll discuss this with you.
- A formal report asks the University to investigate the information you've shared. Unlike a disclosure, a formal report may lead to a misconduct investigation under the Student Code of Conduct or Staff Code of Conduct.
- A formal report can only be made about a current student or staff member.
- You can submit a disclosure or formal report anonymously.
- Support options will be provided at the time of submission.
- The University takes all anonymous reports seriously, however anonymous reports can limit the University's ability to gather further information, investigate the matter, or take certain actions. We also won't be able to contact you or keep you informed about any action taken.
- You can choose to move from an anonymous to identified disclosure or formal report at any time.
- Anonymous disclosures can still help the University understand the prevalence and location of incidents.
- If someone has disclosed an experience to you, or you have witnessed or become aware of an incident, you can contact Campus Care for advice and support.
- If possible, discuss this with the victim-survivor first. If they have indicated they do not want to make a disclosure or formal report, it is important to listen to them and respect their wishes.
- If you're concerned about someone's safety or wellbeing but are unable to speak with them first, or they have not consented to you contacting Campus Care, you can still seek advice. To protect their privacy, don't share information that could identify the person/or people involved.
- More information on supporting someone affected by sexual harm or gender-based violence can be found here.
How to make a disclosure or formal report
I'm a student
There are five ways to make a disclosure or formal report to Campus Care:
Identified online form
Identified online form
You will need to login using your student details.
Please indicate in the 'What outcome(s) are you seeking through this process?' section on the form:
- Whether you are making a disclosure or a formal report
- Whether you would like to be contacted by Campus Care
Anonymous online form
Anonymous online form
Please indicate in the 'what outcome(s) are you seeking through this process?' section on the form:
- Whether you are making a disclosure or a formal report
Phone, email or in-person
Phone, email or in-person
- By phone: +61 2 4921 8600 (Monday to Friday during business hours)
- By email: campuscare@newcastle.edu.au
- You can arrange to meet Campus Care in-person in a private and safe space on campus, by contacting them via phone or email.
- Campus Care will review your disclosure and if you wish, contact you within two business days, using your preferred method. If you have noted that you do not wish to be contacted, Campus Care may still need to reach out if there is a risk to student and/or staff safety.
- Campus Care will work with you to understand your needs, develop a safety plan if required, and guide you through the support and formal reporting options available.
- Campus Care will receive your formal report and contact you within two business days, using your preferred method.
- They will arrange a time to discuss your needs, develop a safety plan if required, guide you through available support, and explain the formal reporting process. You will be able to ask questions and decide whether to proceed.
- You are always in control of what you share and can provide as much or as little information as you like.
- The Student Conduct (if the report is about a student) or Employee Relations team (if the report is about a staff member) will review the information you’ve provided and determine whether a misconduct investigation can proceed under the Student Code of Conduct or Staff Code of Conduct.
- The University aims to complete any misconduct investigation and associated disciplinary processes within 45 business days of the formal report being made.
- Campus Care will discuss the outcome with you, continue to provide support, and where appropriate discuss alternative options.
- You can choose to end an investigation at any time. In some circumstances, the University may need to continue an investigation, to meet legal obligations or protect the safety of others. If this applies, Campus Care will discuss this with you.
Other support
If you would like to access support, there are several other services available at the University, including those listed below. These services cannot carry out an investigation, however they can provide short-term or on-going wellbeing support.
- Counselling: A range of free services are available, including consultations with a Wellbeing Advisor within a day or two, face to face and online counselling appointments.
- UON After-Hours Support Line: If you need support outside of business hours, you can speak to qualified crisis support specialists who can listen to you, help you through a difficult time or connect you with support services.
- Chaplaincy: Chaplains offer compassionate help in all situations and support the spiritual life of the University community – but you do not need to belong to a religious group to see a chaplain.
I'm a member of the public
You can make a disclosure or formal report to Campus Care via an online form.
You can fill out this form anonymously or provide your details.
Please indicate in the 'what outcome(s) are you seeking through this process?' section on the form:
- Whether you are making a disclosure or a formal report
- If you’re making an identified disclosure, whether you would like to be contacted by Campus Care.
External reporting and support options
Reporting to police
You may report incidents of sexual assault to NSW Police. If you’re a student, Campus Care can also support you to make these reports.
Report to police
Sexual assault reporting option (SARO)
NSW Police offer an online Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO). You can submit a SARO anonymously or include your name. A SARO isn't a formal police report and doesn't start a criminal investigation. It allows you to record what happened should you wish to make a formal police report in the future. All responses to questions are optional.
Submit a SARO
Reporting to eSafety Commissioner
eSafety is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety, and can help to remove serious online abuse, and illegal and restricted online content. You can report forms of online sexual misconduct, such as image-based abuse, to eSafety.
Make a report
External support
You can seek support outside the University through community organisations. These services can provide confidential support and advice. If you have been sexual assaulted within the last seven days, you might decide to attend a local NSW Sexual Assault Service to obtain forensic evidence to assist with any legal action.
Explore external support
Support for those using violence
If you are worried that you are or may be using gender-based or sexual violence, reaching out for support is an important and positive first step. You can discuss seeking support to change behaviour through Campus Care or the University Counselling service.
Community support services are also available.
FAQ's
Sexual harm, sometimes referred to as sexual violence, is any unwanted or non-consensual behaviour of a sexual nature that causes physical or psychological harm, distress, fear or discomfort. It can happen in person or online and can include:
- rape or sexual assault
- unwanted sexual touching or kissing
- sexual comments, jokes or requests
- image-based abuse, including sharing or threatening to share sexual images without consent
- sexual activity someone was pressured or coerced into
- removing a condom or other protection without consent (‘stealthing’)
- sexual activity when someone is asleep, unconscious or unable to consent due to alcohol or other drugs
- exposing sexual body parts to someone without their consent.
Learn more here.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is violence, harassment, abuse or threatening behaviour that is connected to gender or gender inequality. It can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or digital, and can cause harm, fear, coercion or control. Sexual harm can be a form of gender-based violence.
Learn more about preventing and responding to gender-based violence.
There is no right or wrong way to feel or respond after experiencingsexual harm and/or gender-based violence. You might feel fear, anger, self-blame, guilt, isolation, anxiety, and shame. You might feel something different altogether.
Sexual harm and GBV are never the fault of the person who experiences them.
No, you don’t need to provide evidence when making a disclosure or formal report. However, if you make a formal report, more details may be needed when progressing an investigation.
We respect your privacy. Information provided to the University will only be accessible to the appropriate support teams and will be recorded in a secure system.
Records are stored securely in accordance with the Records and Information Management Policy and the Privacy Management Plan.
When we may need to share information:
In rare situations, we may need to share the minimum necessary information with other relevant teams to manage serious or immediate risks, or to meet legal obligations. This may include situations involving:
- immediate risk of harm to you or others
- serious threats to safety
- legal duties under relevant legislation
If this occurs, we will communicate this clearly with you.
Will the University report to the police?
The University does not routinely report incidents of gender-based violence and sexual harm to police.
In limited circumstances, such as where there is a serious and immediate risk of harm, or where a person involved is under 18 - the University may be required to provide information to police. If this occurs, it will be discussed with you.
The University does not tolerate victimisation of anyone who makes a disclosure or formal report about sexual assault, sexual harassment, sex-based harassment, or gender-based violence.
If you're an international student, your visa will not be impacted by disclosing or reporting to the University.
If you believe you have been subjected to unfair treatment, please see the FAQ below.
If a disclosure or formal report about you progresses to a misconduct investigation against the Student Conduct Rule, you will be notified and provided with details of the report and information about your obligations in responding to the misconduct allegations.
Being named as a respondent does not mean a finding has been made or disciplinary action has occurred. You can choose a support person to accompany you to any meetings requested of you, however they cannot be a witness or someone who is also supporting the discloser.
You will also have access to University support services including Counselling and Student Advocacy.
Yes.
If you believe your concerns were not addressed appropriately or you have been subject to adverse action, you can:
- Lodge a general complaint with the University.
- Students can contact the National Student Ombudsman (NSO). The NSO is a free and independent service.
- Contact Campus Care on +61 2 4921 8600 (Monday to Friday during business hours) or via email: campuscare@newcastle.edu.au
Student Advocacy offers University of Newcastle students advice and can assist through all complaints processes.
Find out more
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.