*C9
Student Safety and Wel being Report
PURPOSE
To present the Committee with a confidential update on activities relating
to student safety and wellbeing.
PREPARED BY
Senior Advisor, Student and University Experience
APPROVED BY
Deputy Vice-Chancel or (Academic)
SPONSOR
Deputy Vice-Chancel or (Academic)
RECOMMENDATION That the Committee
note the updates from the Academic Portfolio.
ACTION REQUIRED ☒For discussion
☐For Decision
☒For Information
☐For Feedback/Response
CONSULTATION
☐ Staff
☐ Students
☐ Alumni
☐ Government
☐ Other
☒ Not applicable
N.B. There was no meeting of the Student Safety and Wel being Committee held in January.
BACKGROUND
This paper has been prepared by the Academic Portfolio to provide an update to the University
Council on relevant work being undertaken by the University.
University Affiliate Col eges
The Deputy Vice-Chancel or (Academic) wil provide a verbal update on their discussions with the
University’s Affiliate Colleges.
Student Disciplinary Framework Review
In late 2024 the Vice-Chancellor requested a review of the Student Disciplinary Framework (SDFR) to
ensure that the University's practices are appropriate to manage the changing regulatory landscape
and community expectations. The SDFR will be directed by the Student Disciplinary Framework
Project Board, Chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic.
The University is committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct and integrity across its
operations. The last comprehensive review of the framework was in 2020/21. However, this was not a
holistic review as the rules and policies were reviewed individually.
In 2024, a series of events and shifts in the broader landscape have highlighted the need to reassess
our disciplinary framework, particularly in regard to academic freedom; work, health and safety; and
appeals.
The Project Board held its first meeting on January 16, 2025, to commence the review. The current
timeline wil see delivery on the final report in June 2025. The Project Board is comprised of ANU staff,
students and community members with expert knowledge or understanding of the role of the
disciplinary framework. The list of members can be seen in the Terms of Reference Attachment .
Rights, Relationship and Respect Sexual Violence Prevention and Education modules
The ANU Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy (2019-2026) outlines a vision for a violence-free
campus, with primary prevention as a central focus. Primary prevention of sexual violence refers to
whole-of population initiatives that address the drivers of such violence.
As part of the primary prevention activities, in 2022 the former Respectful Relationships Unit (now
Inclusive and Respectful Communities) and Student Safety and Wel being col aborated to develop and
implement a comprehensive education program targeting incoming students. The program includes an
online module and for new students in residence, a face-to-face workshop called Enlivening Rights,
Relationships and Respect.
The Rights, Relationships and Respect online module suite includes:
• Rights, Relationships and Respect – coursework (undergraduate and postgraduate)
• Rights, Relationships and Respect in Research (available to HDR students and Supervisors),
launched in May 2024
• Rights, Relationships and Respect at Work (to be released later this year, available to staff)
The modules cover:
Rights, Relationships and
Rights, Relationships and
Rights, Relationships and
Respect – coursework
Respect in Research
Respect at Work
Respectful Relationships at ANU: This topic delves into the dynamics of respectful relationships
within the context of the ANU. It explores the values, norms, and expectations that shape interactions
among students and staff and fosters an understanding of how to cultivate healthy and respectful
relationships within the university community.
Bystander Intervention: this topic guides participants through the ANU bystander framework –
direct, delegate, distract, delay and document and provides opportunity to practice the use of the
framework
Understanding Consent: This topic provides a comprehensive examination of the concept of
consent, emphasising its importance in al forms of interpersonal relationships. Students learn about
the principles of enthusiastic, ongoing, and affirmative consent, as well as how to recognise and
navigate situations where consent may be ambiguous or coerced.
Power and Relationships: This topic explores the intersection of power dynamics and relationships,
highlighting how imbalances of power can influence consent and contribute to instances of
exploitation. Students and staff examine societal structures, gender roles, and other factors that can
perpetuate power imbalances and reflect on strategies for promoting equity and respect in their
interactions.
Care and Support: In this topic, students and staff are provided with comprehensive information
about the support services and resources available to survivors of sexual misconduct at ANU and
across the ACT. Topics include differentiating between disclosing and reporting instances of SASH
and support options, empowering students and staff to seek help and support when needed.
Ongoing Conversations: The final topic encourages students and staff to continue engaging in
conversations about respectful relationships and consent beyond the completion of the module. It
emphasises the importance of ongoing dialogue and community action in creating a culture of respect
and safety on campus.
Understanding Sexual Violence: In this topic, students gain
Understanding Gender Based
insights into the dynamics of sexual violence including the
Violence: This topic explores
cultures that drive it.
gender-based violence with a focus
on sexual assault, sexual
harassment and coercive control,
including the cultures that drive
these behaviours and how they are
expressed.
Not included in the Rights,
Working Away from Campus: Learners explore important
Relationships and Respect –
considerations when working away from campus, including
coursework
professional conduct and boundaries, assessing risk, and thorough
preparation.
Not included in the Rights, Relationships and Respect –
Psychosocial hazards and trauma
coursework or Research
in the workplace: This topic
supports staff to understand
psychosocial hazards and trauma,
including reporting and managing
psychosocial hazards.
Not included in the Rights, Relationships and Respect –
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at
coursework or Research
ANU: In this topic staff wil examine
the meaning of diversity, equity and
inclusion in the workplace and
practical allyship.
Enrolments and completions
Please note that while the module is mandatory for first-year students living in on-campus residences,
and all other students are notified they are ‘required’ to take the module, it is not mandatory for
students who are off-campus.
To align with the trauma approach framework the ANU has adopted to support victim/survivors of
sexual misconduct, students are able to request an exemption from the module by contacting the
Student Safety and Wel being team. Through this process, Case Managers are able to provide
information and support available to assist students during their time at ANU.
Year
Rights, Relationships and
Rights, Relationships and
Respect (coursework)
Respect in Research
Enrolments *
Completion
Enrolments*
Completion
2023
7168
5820
N/A – launched in May 2024
2024
6330
5099
468
264
2025 (module was launched in 1732
1167
To be promoted from April to
mid-January to all commencing
align with HDR commencement
course work students, with
regular communication in
progress to promote participation.
Numbers to 06/02/24)
*Refers to students who have enrolled to undertake the relevant module
Attendance to in person Enlivening Consent workshop is mandatory for new students in residence and
one of a number of in person workshops delivered in residences which include Understanding and
Responding to Gender Based Violence, Inclusive and Respectful Events and LGBTIQA+ Al y.
To date in 2025, the Inclusive and Respectful Communities team has delivered 25 training sessions
with 529 Residential Mentors with commencing students living in on-campus residences being trained
on 9th February 2025.
Findings from 2023 external review
Recognising the importance of evaluation, ANU POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research was
engaged as a partner to measure the implementation and effectiveness of the program. The
evaluation, approved by ANU HREC, used a mixed-methods approach. A ful copy of the report can be
found at
Rights, Relationships and Respect Evaluation Final Report.pdf
A total of 1284 participants, a 30% response rate, completed a post-module survey which col ected
data on demographics, course feedback, motivation, knowledge, and trust. Key findings are as
follows:
• The average age of respondents was 23, with 58% female, 39% male, 1.4% non-binary, and
3.2% trans.
• Undergraduates comprised nearly half of the sample (49%), fol owed by postgraduates (47%)
and HDR candidates (4%).
• A vast majority (86%) were commencing students, with 60% being international students and
40% domestic.
• 70% had engaged in prior sexuality and relationships/consent education, with domestic and
undergraduate students more likely to have completed this than international and
postgraduate students.
• Most respondents (89%) completed the course because they perceived it as important.
• The majority of students (85%) rated the course as clear and valuable with female,
postgraduate, and international students more likely to indicate satisfaction.
• Most students were aware of and reported trust in ANU support services, with male,
commencing, and international students respectively more likely to express trust.
The Inclusive and Respectful Communities team wil continue to evaluate the Rights, Relationships
and Respect online module suite with regular updates to be provided to the Student Safety and
Wel being Committee of Council.
ATTACHMENTS
9.1
Terms of Reference, Student Disciplinary Framework Project
COMMUNICATION
For public release ☐
For internal release ☐
Not for release ☒
Document Outline
