Reporting an Incident
If you have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, there are several options available to protect your personal health and assist in restoring your feelings of safety and security.
Reporting Sexual Harassment at CQU
These include:
- Contact 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
- Go to a place where you feel safe – this could be your home, a friend’s house or a police station.
- Consider calling someone who you feel comfortable talking to for support.
- Seek medical advice – This is important to ensure there are no physical injuries and to treat any possible Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Some STIs have few or no visible symptoms in the early stages, however, if left untreated, they can cause long-term problems.
- Seek counselling support and assistance from the University or a specialised sexual assault support service. CQUniversity’s Student Counselling and Wellbeing service is free and confidential. The team can be contacted via phone on 07 4930 9456 or email at counselling@cqu.edu.au. The Student Counselling and Wellbeing team can also refer you to a number of specialised support services within your local community.
- Contact 24/7 Crisis Care services such as 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
As you begin to process what has happened, remember:
- You are not responsible for the offender’s actions
- Not to blame yourself for the attack
- No one ever asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted or raped
- The most important thing is your survival
- To believe in your own self-worth
- You can access help and support.
Sexual harassment or sexual assault can happen to people of all ages, race, ethnic background, social and economic status, gender or sexual orientation.
Victims/survivors of sexual harassment or sexual assault may feel that they are to blame in some way or be fearful that they won’t be believed. It is important to remember that:
- Sexual harassment is unacceptable and should never be tolerated within any university or workplace, or the broader community.
- Sexual assault is a crime. Like all acts of violence, it is a violation of human rights.
- Sexual harassment and sexual assault are NEVER the victim’s fault.
If you have experienced sexual harassment and/or sexual assault on a CQUniversity campus (including study hubs), at a University event, University online platform, placement or student residence, you are encouraged to report the incident to the University (via a trusted staff member, by submitting an official complaint, or via a student counsellor) and seek the support of the Student Counselling and Wellbeing team. CQUniversity is committed to creating a safe space for people to study and work. All sexual harassment and sexual assault complaints will be managed compassionately and fairly.
For more information on reporting an incident, view our Reporting Sexual Harassment at CQU procedure document, visit the Student Portal or StaffNet and search for ‘Respect Now Always’. Students can also report an incident by contacting the Student Counselling and Wellbeing Team or submitting an official complaint.
Following a sexual assault, a person is not always clear about how they want to proceed and whether they should report the incident to the authorities. It is not mandatory to report a sexual assault to the police or the University.
If the victim/survivor decides to report the incident to the police, the CQUniversity Student Counselling and Wellbeing service can provide support and guidance through the process.
If a report is made to the University we can ensure the victim/survivor is provided with priority access to University counselling and support services and referral to other specialist and medical services where required. We can also take necessary steps/actions to ensure the safety of the victim/survivor and other students and staff.