Respect at Uni Week

18-22 March 2024

If you are in immediate danger, contact University Security on 03 8344 6666 or the police on 000

What is Respect at Uni Week?

Respect at Uni Week is held simultaneously across Victorian universities. Its aim is to raise awareness of gender-based violence and help create safe and respectful communities where sexual misconduct is not tolerated.

In 2023, Victorian universities joined forces to promote the importance of respect, equality and inclusion at our campuses, in online spaces and in our communities.

In 2024, The University of Melbourne continues to participate in the Respect at Uni Week campaign with intiatives and events focusing on the primary prevention of sexual misconduct, including:

  • The launch of Preventing Sexual Misconduct, a new mandatory e-learning module for coursework students and graduate researchers, which was designed specifically for the University in consultation with students and subject-matter experts;
  • A special panel event featuring holistic consent education advocate Chanel Contos, University of Melbourne masculinities expert Dr Stephen Burrell, and the University of Melbourne Provost, Professor Nicola Phillips, who will talk about the role of universities in preventing sexual harm;
  • A range of other events across our campuses, which focus on support services available and the importance of consent.

Our communities should be safe and free from violence. The University will continues to focus on the prevention of and response to sexual harassment and sexual assault, in line with the findings from the National Student Safety Survey.

Let's talk about consent

Students talk about what consent means to them, how to ask for consent and why hearing ‘no’ is okay.

Events

Beyond Consent: The Role of Universities in Preventing Sexual Harm

When: Tuesday 19 March 2024, 11:30am-12:30pm AEDT
Where: Guild Theatre, Arts and Cultural Building, Building 159, Monash Road, Parkville campus, and online

Join holistic consent education advocate Chanel Contos, University of Melbourne masculinities expert Dr Stephen Burrell, and the University of Melbourne Provost Professor Nicola Phillips, as they take part in a facilitated discussion about preventing and responding to sexual harm in university communities.

This recording will be available to view until 2 April 2024

Respect at Southbank

When: Tuesday 19 March 2024, 12-2pm
Where: Wilin Garden, Southbank Campus

Join us from 12-2pm for music, crafts, badge making and to sign our pledge board, as we foster a respectful and safe environment for the whole University community. Learn about a range of support services and respect resources available for students.

Respect at Parkville

When: Wednesday 20 March 2024, throughout the day
Where: Market Hall, Building 189, University of Melbourne, Parkville

University of Melbourne students are invited to join us in the Amphitheatre from 11am to 3pm for food, coffee, music and beanbag lounging as we foster a respectful and safe environment for the whole University community.

In Market Hall, you’ll be able to chat with support services, practice embodiment and connection through trauma-informed movement, and learn about consent.

Drop-in events for students include:
  • Safer Sex program 
    Health Promotions-run service empowering students to make safer sex choices by providing free sexual health information and contraceptives.
  • UMSU Sexual Harm Response Coordinators
    The UMSU Sexual Harm and Response Coordinators work within the UMSU Advocacy service and can provide support with making complaints to the University, reporting to the police, and appropriate referrals to therapeutic services.
  • Badge-making
    Choose from a range of designs around respectful relationships and create your own badge to display on your clothing, bag etc.
  • F.R.I.E.S for fries workshops
    Run by UMSU Sexual Harm Response Coordinators, attend a quick-fire consent workshop covering the main elements of consent (F.R.I.E.S) and get a voucher for hot chips to redeem on the day.
Register for the below student events:
  • Trauma-informed yoga
    Join a range of trauma-informed and mental-health-aware wellbeing sessions hosted by not-for-profit Collective Being. Sessions are inclusive of all abilities. Spaces are limited so register by clicking the session that interests you below!

11am

Mindfulness (capacity of up to 50 participants)

12pm

Movement (capacity of up to 30 participants due to use of mats)

1pm

Breath (capacity of up to 50 participants)

2pm

Rest (capacity of up to 30 participants due to use of mats)

Student support session: Preventing Sexual Misconduct module

When: Friday 22 March 2024, 12pm-3pm
Where: Level 2, Rowden White Library, 162 Monash Road, Parkville, Vic

Preventing Sexual Misconduct is a mandatory eLearning module for all commencing students in 2024. Sanctions will apply for non-completion by the due date – so avoid the last-minute rush to complete during your exam period, and join this module support session.

This will be especially beneficial for those students who need a body double, student representative support, or for those who would like to block out time to get the training done.

Representatives of the Safer Community Program and UMSU will be there in case you need someone to chat to. They can also refer you to any internal or external support that you may need.

Register to attend the session

Learn more about Respect at the University

For information on the actions the University is taking to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct, including how to seek support or make a report, visit our Respect hub.

Support services

Safer Community Program

The Safer Community Program provides confidential and trauma informed support to students who have experienced inappropriate, concerning, and threatening behaviour, including sexual misconduct. The program connects students to specialist services within and external to the University and helps them navigate and make informed decisions about formal reporting processes available at the University.

Telephone: 03 9035 8675
Email: safer-community@unimelb.edu.au

Visit Safer Community Program site

Counselling and psychological services

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offer free, confidential short-term counselling as well as mental health and wellbeing workshops, group programs, training and resources.

Visit CAPS site

University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU)

The UMSU Sexual Harm and Response Coordinators work with the UMSU Advocacy service.

Visit UMSU site

External support services

1800 Respect (24/7)

Telephone: 1800 737 732

Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24/7)

Telephone: 1800 806 292