FOI Ref No: 2019/5954
Ms Matilda Duncan
Email: foi+request‐5449‐xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
28 June 2019
Dear Ms Duncan
I refer to your application made under the
Freedom of Information Act 1991 (the FOI Act) on 29 May
2019 for access to 2018 statistics relating to reports of sexual assaults and harassment.
In response, I am able to provide the following details.
1. The total number of sexual assault/sexual harassment/sexual misconduct complaints
made to the University of Adelaide in 2018.
There were 12 complaints. Of these, 3 complaints involved third parties with no connection to the
University.
1. The number of sexual assault/sexual harassment/sexual misconduct complaints made
to the University of Adelaide alleging a staff member as responsible in 2018.
There were 4 complaints.
2. The number of sexual assault/sexual harassment/sexual misconduct
complaints alleging a student as responsible in 2018.
There were 5 complaints.
3. The number and nature of any disciplinary actions taken in relation to incidents of
alleged sexual assault/sexual harassment/sexual misconduct in 2018:
Category
Number Disciplinary action
Sexual assault
4
Alleged offender was not enrolled at the University at
time of incident (former student/third party).
Allegations were investigated and denied by alleged
offender. Alleged offender was required to cease
contact with complainant while of campus or in
association with University activity. Complainant was
encouraged to report matter to the SA Police.
Allegations were investigated and complainant
reported matter to the SA Police.
Allegations were investigated and complainant
reported matter to the SA Police. The matter was
referred to the University’s HR Branch for
investigation. Member of staff separated from the
University.
University Archives and Recordkeeping
The University of Adelaide SA 5005
AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 8 8313 5184
Email: xxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
www.adelaide.edu.au
CRICOS provider number 00123M
Sexual Harassment
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Alleged offender was a third party.
Alleged offender was a third party.
Staff member provided with letter of allegations and
recommendation for termination of employment was
implemented. Vice Chancellor terminated
employment.
Alleged offender could not be identified from evidence
provided.
Complainant requested that no disciplinary action be
taken against alleged offender.
Alleged offender was provided with a formal warning
to cease behaviour. Repeat behaviour led to a referral
to the University’s Student Misconduct Tribunal and a
penalty of expulsion from the University.
Staff member received a letter regarding inappropriate
behaviour from Head of School.
External investigator appointed by HR to investigate
all allegations. Staff member subsequently resigned.
Please note that in all instances the University’s procedure ensures all complainants are actively
offered Counselling Support.
5. The number and nature of disciplinary actions taken against students in relation to plagiarism
offenses in 2017
Category
Number Disciplinary action
Plagiarism
1
An undergraduate student was suspended from their
program of study and excluded from the University for
a 12 month period.
6. Information on any strategies implemented in the last year by the University to tackle the
problem of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the university community.
Action
Date
Regular reporting of Safer Campus Community initiatives made to various Ongoing
boards and senior management of the University.
Employed a full-time Project Office for 6 months to work on implementing
May 2018
the University’s Respect. Now. Always. Action Plan
Made ‘Walking in Rainbow Shoes’ online training available on the Safer
July 2018
Campus Community Website
Student Focus Groups held regarding the incident reporting process and a July 2018
review of how easily accessible information is on the University website.
Implemented automatic course invitations (prompting enrolment) for
July 2018
Consent Matters for all undergraduate commencing students. Regular
reminders sent to those yet to accept the invitation or complete the quiz.
Opt out option available for students that request it.
Established a (limited term) working group for Staff and Student Training
July 2018
and International Students to discuss initiatives and implementation.
Safer Campus Community website updated to improve usability based on
July 2018
focus group feedback
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Worked with Clubs (administered by Adelaide University Union) and AU
July 2018
Sport to update local documents and resources to ensure that information
is aligned with University Safer Campus Community information.
Printed new Safer Campus Community postcards for distribution in S2,
July 2018
2018
Presented Safer Campus Community information at S2, 2018 Orientation
July 2018
Week Welcome Talks.
Purchased a licence for Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence –
July 2018
online staff training modules from Epigeum and commenced work to
contextualise these for South Australia / the University of Adelaide
Review of ‘all gender’ toilet signage – campus maps and physical signage July - August 2018
updated accordingly.
Updated the ‘Preferred Name Change’ form to allow students to change
July 2018
their preferred name to one that reflects and expresses their gender,
culture and social identity. A communication was sent in Staff News and
Student News.
Face-to-face First Responder training delivered to key staff/student
August - November
leaders and interested staff.
2018
Presented to all students running in student elections about the
August 2018
importance of Safer Campus Community, particularly in relation to their
conduct and responsibilities as student leaders.
Held focus groups with International Students to gain feedback on
September 2018
informational/marketing materials that relate to Respect. Now. Always. /
Safer Campus Community.
Created a ‘Report an Incident Flowchart’ to better demonstrate the flow of
October 2018
events for students:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/safer-campus-
community/sites/default/files/docs/report_incident_flowchart.pdf
Created a set of FAQ for the Safer Campus Community website in relation October 2018
to making a report: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/safer-campus-
community/report-an-incident/what-happens-when-i-report-to-the-
university
Created a statement of rights for both the Complainant and the Alleged
October 2018
Offender and made is available online: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/safer-
campus-community/sites/default/files/docs/Action%20%2361%20RNA-
Statement%20of%20Rights%20v3.pdf
Included questions on understanding and reporting Sexual Harassment
October 2018
and Sexual Assault in the Student Wellbeing Survey S2, 2018 (approx.
1000 participants)
Created ‘Inclusive Language Guidelines’ to encourage accurate, fair and
October 2018
respectful use of language. Widely circulated (including via Staff News
and Student News, and available online:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/safer-campus-community/inclusive-
language-guidelines-0
Reviewed the online Consent Matters module and renamed it ‘Yes Means November 2018
Yes’ and updated the images to make it more appealing to students prior
to the S1, 2019 intake.
Created ‘Responding to Students in Distress’ resources for use by AU
December 2018
Sport
Updated the UA Student app to include access to ‘Emergency
December 2018
Assistance’, ‘Not Coping?’ and ‘Campus Safety’ information.
Developed ‘Unwanted Sexual Behaviour is Never OK’ poster, aimed at
December 2018
International Students.
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Developed ‘See it, Stop it’ poster, promoting Bystander Awareness
December 2018
Rolled out the University Afterhours Crisis Line (phone and text support)
January 2019
and promoted it through posters and student communications.
Included Safer Campus Community information in the 2019 Student
February 2019
Guide, aimed at commencing students.
Presented Safer Campus Community information at S1, 2019 Orientation
February 2019
Week Welcome Talks.
Distributed ‘See it, Stop it’ ‘Unwanted Sexual Behaviour is Never OK’ and
March 2019
‘University Crisis Line’ posters across campus.
Safer Campus Community banner featured on University of Adelaide
March 2019
website homepage and made more prominent on the Current Students
landing page.
Encouraged students, through various promotion tools, to download the
March 2019
UA student app which includes access to ‘Emergency Assistance’, ‘Not
Coping?’ and ‘Campus Safety’ information.
Ran a ‘Safer Campus Community’ feature in Student News for 3
March 2019
consecutive weeks. Messaging included; ‘Feeling Unsafe is Never OK,
Seek Support then Report’ and ‘Unwanted Sexual Behaviour is Never OK’
Student Volunteers held a stall in Hub Central encouraging students to
March 2019
report incidents and directing them to the reporting process
Reached out to student clubs and asked them to provide
April - May 2019
Consent/Bystander information and Responsible Drinking information on
their Pubcrawl event pages (i.e. Facebook)
Created 2019 ALLY training sessions
May 2019
Standalone Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy out for
June 2019
consultation.
Ran training / information sessions on sexual health information and
Feb, April 2019
reporting options (including O-week, student leaders and IS)
Collaborating with Yarrow Place to co-present ‘Recognise and Respond ‘
ongoing
training sessions at UoA, ensuring University specific information is
included
Working in partnership with specialist workers at UniSA and Flinders Uni
June 2019
to plan Bystander training for students
Started a network of staff reps (First Responders) across all faculties,
April 2019
meeting regularly for information/ updates
If you are unhappy with this determination you are entitled to apply for an internal review in accordance with
section 29 of the FOI Act. To make an internal review application, please return the attached form within 30
(calendar) days after you receive this letter.
Should you require any further information please contact me on telephone (08) 8313 5184 or email
xxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Sue Coppin
Accredited FOI Officer
University of Adelaide
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