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Sexual harassment and sexual assault: support for students

Sexual harassment and sexual assault are unacceptable. If you need assistance or support, we can help.

Access support services

Curtin offers a variety of free and confidential support services to support you if you have experienced, or been affected by, sexual harassment or sexual assault.

Report an incident of sexual harassment or sexual assault

If you’ve experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, our Safer Community Team can provide support, connect you to appropriate services, and take your complaint further if you choose.

What happens after you report

Once you’ve made a report of sexual assault or sexual harassment, the Safer Community Team will follow a process to ensure you get the assistance you need. You will be in control the whole time, and can opt in or out of any step.

What is sexual harassment, sexual assault and consent?

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It includes any interaction, flirtation or friendship which is not mutual or consensual.

Sexual assault

Sexual assault is 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is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent, including when they have withdrawn their consent.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 behaviour that the survivor has not invited or chosen
  • Can be one-off events, or part of a pattern of violence
  • May have a range of effects, including physical, emotional and psychological.

Sexual assault and other sexual offences are criminal offences.
Consent

Consent

Whenever you have sex, you need to make sure that your partner is just as enthusiastic about having sex. In other words, that they give their full consent. It’s important that you are 100% sure that the person you’re with is happy and willing because non-consensual sexual activity (even kissing and touching) is actually against the law.

Not only is sex without consent a crime, but being pressured or forced into a sexual situation you’re not ready for (also known as sexual assault) can do lasting emotional damage. It’s not enough to just assume someone wants sex as much as you, you really have to ask.

Sexual health resources

You can access a range of sexual health services at Curtin Health Service or contact your preferred medical practice to enquire about the following services:

Visit the sexual health webpage for access to a range of online sexual health resources.

Do you need an after-hours security escort?
Call the Safer Community Team on 08 9266 4444 to get an escort between buildings, to your car, or to your campus accommodation.

Curtin’s commitment to staff and students

Our priority is to protect and support all members of the Curtin community. We aim to foster a culture of respect, care and safety which will help to reduce incidents of sexual assault or harassment.

Online training program

The Respectful Relationships online training program aims to equip you with important life skills to support you and those around you. The program is mandatory for all students commencing from Semester Two, 2019 at our Australian campuses.

Respect. Now. Always.

Respect. Now. Always. is a national campaign to prevent sexual assault and harassment across the university sector. The campaign highlights the determination of Australia’s universities to ensure that our students and staff are safe from sexual assault and sexual harassment.