• Support Services Contact Information
• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Policy
• Section 3 - Procedures
• Support
• Study Adjustments 
• Supporting Someone Who has Experienced Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment
• Reporting Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment
• Anonymous Reports
• Reports with Contact Details
• Reporting to an External Organisation
• How the University Responds to Reports
• How the University Responds to Anonymous Reports
• How the University Responds to Reports with Contact Details
• Investigative Processes
• University Investigation of Reports about Students
• Delays to University Investigation
• Interim Measures
• Section 4 - Guidelines
• Section 5 - Definitions

Support Services Contact Information

(1) For someone in immediate danger or requiring immediate medical attention, contact Emergency Assistance.

(2) Support on campus:

(3) Support outside the University:

Section 1 - Purpose

(4) This Procedure accompanies the Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy. It includes:

1. information about seeking support for Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment;
2. information about how to report Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment to Macquarie University;
3. information about reporting to external organisations;
4. information about what happens when someone submits a report using Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour; and
5. procedures for Macquarie staff responding to reports.

(5) Procedures described in this document do not override:

1. professional standards regarding confidentiality between clients and medical practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers;
2. mandatory reporting requirements according to child safety legislation, criminal law, or the Work Health and Safety Act 2011; and / or
3. legal obligations applicable to Macquarie University.

Section 2 - Policy

(6) Refer to the Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy.

Section 3 - Procedures

Support

(7) For someone in immediate danger or requiring immediate medical attention, contact Emergency Assistance.

(8) Confidential support for students is available at Macquarie University, or off campus. For instance, a student can see a psychologist at Student Wellbeing, at Macquarie University or a psychologist or counsellor at an external specialist service. Student Wellbeing staff also provide information to students about support available with study, accommodation, finances and seeking referrals to legal advice. For a list of support services available, see ‘Support Services Contact Information’ at the start of this Procedure.

Study Adjustments 

(9) Seeking support can help a student to request study adjustments, such as changes to their study timetable. To discuss study adjustments, contact Student Wellbeing. Study adjustments may not include measures relating to other students. To find out more about interim measures relating to other students, see ‘Interim Measures’ in the Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy and in this Procedure. 

Supporting Someone Who has Experienced Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment

(10) Students and staff responses to a disclosure of Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment are important. For more information about supporting someone who has been affected by Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment, see Section 1.6 of the Guide to Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy / Procedure.

(11) Students and staff who would like further assistance with how best to respond to a disclosure can contact Student Wellbeing.

Reporting Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment

(12) For someone in immediate danger or requiring immediate medical attention, contact Emergency Assistance (see ‘Support Services Contact Information’ at the start of this Procedure).

Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour

(13) Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour can be used to report experiences of Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment involving members of the Macquarie University Community. Reports can be made to the University anonymously or with contact details.

(14) Staff and students can also report to the University on behalf of another person using Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour. Any decision to report Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment to the University is best made with the agreement of the person who experienced the incident(s). If possible, discuss making a report with the person who experienced the behaviour.

(15) For more information about who can make a report, see Section 2 of the Guide to Student Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure.

Anonymous Reports

(16) An anonymous report means the person making the report has not provided their name or contact details. The University may be limited in what action it can take after receiving an anonymous report.

(17) When an anonymous report is submitted using Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour, a submission reference number is provided. This submission reference number can be provided to the University, if the person making the report decides they want to provide their contact details or follow up on their report.

Reports with Contact Details

(18) A report with contact details includes the name and contact information of the person making the report and / or the person who experienced the behaviour.

(19) If a report with contact details has been submitted via Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour, and there has been no response after three (3) business days, contact respect@mq.edu.au. 

Reporting to an External Organisation

(20) Reports to external organisations, including NSW Police, are not shared with the University. For the University to assess and respond to an incident, report using Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour.

How the University Responds to Reports

(21) To find out how Macquarie University manages confidentiality of reports about Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment, see ‘Privacy and Confidentiality’ in the Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy.

How the University Responds to Anonymous Reports

(22) When an anonymous report is submitted through Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour:

1. Staff from the Respect. Now. Always. Support team and from Student Wellbeing are notified.
2. Student Wellbeing staff identify if any immediate action is required to manage safety of the Macquarie University Community. They may contact University Security Services, Emergency Services or Communities and Justice. In these situations, details from the report may be shared. If a report indicates a significant risk involving University Accommodation, Student Wellbeing staff may contact staff at University Accommodation to alert them.
3. Respect. Now. Always. Support staff will assess whether an anonymous report indicates that the University needs to take further action, such as improving security in certain locations. They may seek advice from staff in University Security Services, Governance Services, Human Resources, Workplace Health and Safety and the University’s Legal Office and consult with staff from the Executive Director, Student Engagement and Registrar, and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. Discussions with staff at University Accommodation may also occur.
4. Respect. Now. Always. Support staff will use information from anonymous reports to monitor general trends relating to Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment affecting the Macquarie University Community and to report to the University Executive Group. No information from reports which could identify individuals will be included in reporting on general trends.

How the University Responds to Reports with Contact Details

(23) When a report with contact details is submitted using Report Inappropriate or Unwanted Behaviour:

1. Staff from the Respect. Now. Always. Support team, and from Student Wellbeing are notified.
2. Student Wellbeing staff identify if any immediate action is required to manage safety of the University Community. They may contact the person who made the report, via phone or email, to check that they are safe, and to check if they require access to support services. If the report is about another person, Student Wellbeing staff will contact them if their contact details are provided. They may also alert University Security Services, Emergency Services or Communities and Justice, if action from these services is required. If a report indicates a significant risk involving residents living in University Accommodation, Student Wellbeing staff may also contact staff at the University Accommodation to alert them.
3. Respect. Now. Always. Support staff will consult the person who submitted the report to discuss their wishes regarding a response to the report, including investigation. If the report is on behalf of another person, staff will consult with the person who directly experienced the behaviour, if their contact details are provided. Respect. Now. Always. Support staff may seek advice from staff in Governance Services, Human Resources and the Legal Office at Macquarie University, in relation to any University response.

(24) Respect. Now. Always. Support staff will also assess whether a report indicates that the University needs to take further action, such as improving security in certain locations. They may seek advice from University Security Services, Governance Services, Human Resources, Workplace Health and Safety and the University Legal Office, and consult with the Executive Director, Student Engagement and Registrar, and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. Discussions with staff at University Accommodation may also occur.

(25) Respect. Now. Always. Support staff also use information from reports with contact details to monitor general trends relating to Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment affecting the Macquarie University Community, to report to the University Executive Group. No information from reports which could identify individuals will be included in reporting on general trends.

Investigative Processes

University Investigation of Reports about Students

(26) Reports about students which are investigated by the University are managed in accordance with the Complaints Resolution Policy for Students and Members of the Public. The report, including contact details, will be shared with staff who manage student investigations. The student or student organisation being investigated will receive written  notice that an allegation of sexual assault of sexual misconduct is being investigated. The notice will include information about the allegation, based on information provided in the report.

(27) The aim of any University investigation is to assess the report and any supporting evidence, to seek the perspective of those involved about what occurred, and assess if it seems that the report is supported by evidence, and / or those  involved agree the events occurred as reported. However, the University may conclude that a student or student organisation has engaged in misconduct, as a result of an investigation, and deal with the report according to the Student Discipline Procedure.

Delays to University Investigation

(28) If a police investigation, or investigation by another external organisation commences, the University may delay its own investigation of a student. This is to avoid adversely affecting the external investigation. The University may delay its own investigation until:

1. it is advised that any University investigation will not adversely affect an external investigation; or
2. when advised that the external investigation is complete or is not continuing.

(29) Where a University investigation is delayed, interim measures against any student may be put in place by the University to reduce the potential for harm to any person.

(30) Interim measures do not anticipate the outcome of any University or external investigation and are not a sanction.

Interim Measures

(31) Interim measures are temporary restrictions or requirements. Any student can be asked to comply with interim measures, if assessment indicates that this is needed to manage the safety of the Macquarie University Community.

(32) For instance, the University may stop a student from entering specific University buildings, facilities or accommodation, restrict access to classes, or prohibit a student from speaking to or approaching another person.

(33) Any staff at the University can contact someone in the roles listed below to discuss applying for interim measures, if they believe interim measures are needed in relation to a report of Sexual Assault or Sexual Harassment.

(34) Interim measures can be recommended by the following staff:

1. Disability Support Lead;
2. Associate Director, Student Wellbeing;
3. Manager, Student Equity and Diversity;
4. Manager, Complaints, Appeals and Misconduct;
5. Director, Governance Services
6. Senior Clinical Psychologist, Student Wellbeing;
7. Student Care and Trauma Lead, Student Wellbeing;
8. Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy)
9. Deputy Director, Human Resources and Head, Human Resources Client Services or their delegate.

(35) Any interim measure must be approved by the Registrar, or their nominee. The Registrar can ask appropriately qualified staff at the University to provide advice regarding whether the proposed interim measures should be varied, removed, or approved.

(36) A student who is subject to interim measures has the right to ask for the measures to be removed or varied. A student requesting a review of interim measures must provide information to the Registrar about why the interim measures should be removed or varied.

(37) Where possible, a student will have the opportunity to request a review once interim measures have been proposed, but before the measures are approved by the Registrar. However, if this is not possible, a student may request a review of the interim measures after they have been approved.

(38) A student can write to the Registrar via disciplinecommittee@mq.edu.au to request a review of interim measures. Any review of interim measures needs to be completed in a reasonable timeframe.

Section 4 - Guidelines

(39)  Refer to the Guide to Student Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure.

Section 5 - Definitions

(40) Commonly defined terms are located in the University Glossary. Definitions specific to this Procedure are contained in the Student Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy.