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Respect. Now. Always.

Respect. Now. Always. is a world-first, sector-wide program aimed at preventing sexual violence in university communities and improving how universities respond to and support those who have been affected.

The campaign aims to:

  • raise awareness of sexual assault and sexual harassment and lift the visibility of support services for students
  • obtain data to guide further improvement in university policies and services
  • assist universities in sharing global best practice resources across the sector​​

In 2017, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released Change the Course: National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities. ECU has committed to implementing the AHRC’s nine recommendations. Our plan to make these improvements is outlined in the Respect. Now. Always. Plan.

For research students and staff

In 2018, Universities Australia (UA) released the Principles for Respectful Supervisory Relationships  which were developed jointly by UA, Australian Council for Graduate Research (ACGR), National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA).

The principles make it clear that on the basis of the power imbalance that exists between supervisors and candidates, any sexual or romantic relationship that develops raises questions about capacity for consent and academic integrity and is therefore never appropriate. They also emphasise that a safe and supportive research training environment for all must be built on a culture of mutual respect and trust.

For more resources an information relevant to research staff and students, you can go to the Research Students Respect. Now. Always. resources page.

Respect. Now. Always. resources

As a part of the initiative, several resources have been created to aid universities in fostering a respectful and safe environment for staff and students.

For more information about the Respect. Now. Always. initiative, including information about the national university student survey and subsequent action plan, please visit the Universities Australia site.

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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