What happens after you report sexual assault or harassment at Curtin?

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We know that talking about sexual assault or harassment can be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. If you’re thinking about reaching out or helping someone else who’s experienced it, you might be wondering: what happens when I report it?

At Curtin, your safety and wellbeing come first. We understand how overwhelming it can feel, and we’re here to support you — without pressure, judgment or assumptions. Everyone’s experience is different, so the support you receive will be tailored to you.

Here’s what you can expect when you speak to the Safer Community Team:

We’ll listen to you and talk to you about your immediate safety and wellbeing

First, we’ll listen to your disclosure, respecting what you want to share. Our priority is to ensure your immediate safety and wellbeing. If you need medical care or other emergency services, we can help connect you. These conversations are confidential, and you can choose how they happen; face-to-face, by phone, video call or even online.

You can also bring a support person, or let us know if there’s anything else that would help you feel safe.

2. We’ll talk through your options

We’ll talk to you about what next step you would like to take, explain the process to you, answer your questions or connect you with the right areas of the University who can help you, including for academic support.

If you decide the disclosure is as far as you would like to proceed at that moment, we’ll connect you with support resources on or off campus. You can also choose to seek external support from a range of support services, like the below, and more:

1. 1800RESPECT 
   The National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service is a free service available 24/7 by calling or texting 1800 737 732 or on their website.
2. Sexual Assault Resource Centre
   Provides a range of free services to people affected by sexual violence. Phone: (08) 6458 1828 or free call 1800 199 888.
3. 13YARN
   For Indigenous Australians — ‍13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line. Available 24/7.
4. Qlife
   QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

If you choose, we can also give you information about other options available to you, including contacting the police or applying for a restraining order or dealing with Centrelink.

If you choose to make a formal report, as well as providing you with support, our Safer Community Team can help you to make that report and lodge it with the Integrity Standards Unit (ISU).

3. We’ll work with you to create a safety plan

The Safer Community Team will work alongside you to develop a tailored safety plan that reflects your needs and concerns. Together, we’ll assess any risks to your safety—whether on or off campus—and, where appropriate, collaborate with relevant services such as WA Police to help ensure your wellbeing is fully supported.

4. We’ll connect you with ongoing support

Support doesn’t stop after the first conversation. If you need it, we’ll connect you with ongoing wellbeing and academic support within Curtin.If Curtin can’t give you the support you need, we’ll support you to engage with the relevant support external to Curtin.

Who else can help?

Along with the Safer Community Team, you can also speak to:

• Curtin Psychological and Counselling Services
• Curtin Student Wellbeing Advisory Service
• Curtin Student Guild’s Student Assist (independent from the University)

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment or assault, you can:

• Report it online
• Call the Safer Community Team on (08) 9266 4444.
• Dial 000 in an emergency

Whatever you choose to do, we’re here to support you on your terms.