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Sexual assault and sexual harassment

Sexual assault and sexual harassment

At ECU, we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment where sexual assault and sexual harassment has no place. If you’ve experienced gender-based violence, including sexual harassment or sexual assault, know that you are not alone—help is available.

We aim to foster a culture of respect, care and safety, and we have made progress towards this goal. This includes a comprehensive sexual assault and sexual harassment policy, implementing training for staff and students and improving our reporting channels and how we support students.

What is gender-based violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment?

Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It encompasses a range of physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence that occurs in both public and private spheres. This form of violence is rooted in gender inequality, power imbalances, and societal norms that perpetuate discrimination against individuals based on their gender. Gender-based violence includes family and domestic violence (also known as intimate partner violence), sexual assault and sexual harassment.

We also use the term gender-based violence to include violence used against LGBTIQA+ people. We recognise there are shared drivers of gender-based violence and violence against LGBTIQA+ people.

Sexual assault

Sexual assault includes a range of behaviours all of which are unacceptable and constitute a crime. Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent, including when they have withdrawn their consent.

Sexual assault is never the responsibility or fault of the person who has been assaulted. It's a misuse of power and it violates personal boundaries. It is a crime and is often perpetrated by someone known to them. Sexual assault can happen to anyone of any age, gender, cultural background, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment happens when someone makes an unwanted sexual advance, asks for sexual favours, or behaves in a sexual way that would make a reasonable person feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or threatened.

Some examples include:

  • Unwanted touching, hugging, kissing, or staring in a way that makes someone feel uneasy.
  • Making unwelcome jokes, comments, or gestures about someone's body or personal life.
  • Asking intrusive questions about someone's relationships or sex life.
  • Sending explicit pictures, texts, or emails.
  • Pressuring someone to go on a date after they’ve said no.

Access support services

Our priority is to ensure that all students have access to safe and confidential support services. Whether you need someone to talk to, guidance on what to do next, or wish to report an incident, ECU is here for you.

For urgent, out of hours assistance, contact:

  • ECU Security: (08) 6304 3333 (24/7)

Students

Staff

Disclose an incident

You can disclose an incident of sexual assault or harassment to the university in a few different ways. You can either disclose anonymously or you can provide your contact details to receive tailored assistance.

Students

Students and staff

Disclosing an incident does not automatically trigger a formal investigation; we will work with you and support you to make choices about your options, as well as how you would like to engage in support. Our team are trauma-informed and person-centred, meaning we are led by you.

More information

Students can access more information, including what happens when you make a disclosure, on the student intranet.

Staff can access more information, including how to support someone that makes a disclosure, on the staff portal.

We would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Noongar people, the traditional custodians of the land upon which ECU's campuses stand and programs operate.

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