Respect. Now. Always: a commitment to safe campuses

A message from the Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven

ACU is a place of safety, respect, inclusion and equity. The University is committed to ensuring all our campuses are completely free of harassment and discrimination. We expect all our staff and students to behave in a manner that is respectful, inclusive and fair, on every campus and at all times. There is absolutely no tolerance for sexual assault or sexual harassment at ACU.

This year I will be chairing the University’s Respect. Now. Always. (RNA) Advisory Committee. The committee oversees the implementation of activities and projects designed to promote and facilitate safe, inclusive and equitable student experiences on all ACU campuses and at all University endorsed activities. The committee meets three times per year, and reports into the University’s Senior Executive Group. It comprises 23 members with staff and student representatives across the whole university, including a representative from NSW Police.

Some current ACU RNA initiatives include:

• Inclusion of RNA information in the compulsory ACU Staff Induction Program
• Prominent presence of clear safety information for the general public, staff and students on the ACU public website, ACU staff site and the ACU student portal.
• Draft of a standalone policy and procedure around student sexual assault and sexual harassment which will soon be distributed to stakeholders for consultation.
• Review of the reporting process for student incidents, complaints and disclosures.
• A new student appointment system (UniHub) has been launched which will improve the monitoring of student waiting times to see a counsellor.
• A consent and bystander behaviour video, which will be launched in the very near future.

Safety is a team effort. I encourage all ACU staff and students to familiarise themselves with the following information.

Information and contact sources

For Students

Student Safety - https://www.acu.edu.au/student-life/student-safety

Respect -  https://www.studentportal.acu.edu.au/respect

On campus counselling and Disability Service – free and confidential support for ACU students.

Student Advocacy Service – free and confidential information and advice to assist with navigating University policies and procedures.

For Staff

https://staff.acu.edu.au/human_resources/working_@_acu/health,_safety_and_wellbeing

For Staff and Students

ACU public website - https://www.acu.edu.au/emergency-and-safety/respect-now-always

In an emergency

For emergencies call triple zero (000).

For campus incidents call the ACU National Security Centre on 1300 729 452 or dial 8888 from an internal ACU phone.

SafeZone app

Download the SafeZone app - to be used on campus to contact security.

Lodge a complaint

For students: https://www.studentportal.acu.edu.au/acuinfo/admin/acf/complaints

For staff: https://www.acu.edu.au/contact-us/complaints-and-feedback/staff-complaints

Regards,
Professor Greg Craven AO, GCSG
Vice-Chancellor and President