We recognise our responsibility to do everything we can to create a safe and inclusive environment through prevention and education, and to ensure victim-survivors feel supported and secure in reporting their experiences of sexual misconduct.
Trauma-informed support for those who have experienced sexual misconduct, domestic/family violence, bullying/harassment and issues relating to modern slavery.
Hours: Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (AEST/AEDT). Mandarin-speaking staff and interpreting services are available upon request.
Phone: +61 2 8627 6808 / Outside of opening hours: 1800 SYD HLP (1800 793 457)
Established in 2017, the Safer Communities Office (SCO) provides trauma-informed case management and support to victim-survivors of sexual misconduct, domestic and family violence, bullying and harassment, and issues relating to modern slavery. They provide one-on-one services tailored to each survivor’s needs to ensure they receive appropriate support.
This office can be contacted by telephone on +61 2 8627 6808 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm AEST/AEDT, by email to safer-communities.officer@sydney.edu.au or through the Sexual Misconduct and Inappropriate Behaviour Online Reporting Form.
The University provides support to survivors of historical sexual abuse (connected with the University) through its Safer Communities Office.
The University of Sydney acknowledges the vulnerable position of survivors of sexual abuse and recognises that making a claim of historical sexual abuse involves disclosing highly personal information and has the potential to be a traumatic experience.
The University is committed to resolving claims of historical sexual abuse in a compassionate, transparent and fair manner, in an environment that promotes respect and dignity for claimants and which treats people accused of sexual abuse fairly. Please refer to the University’s Guiding Principles for Responding to Claims of Historical Sexual Abuse (pdf, 179KB) for further information.
This is the third Annual Report on Sexual Misconduct published by the University of Sydney. This report illustrates the University’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in its approaches to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. It includes information about the University’s preventative education programs, initiatives, support services and outcomes of complaints.
The University is wholly committed to strengthening a framework of safety and support that operates with compassion and confidentiality. In August 2024, we launched our Strategic Actions for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct 2024-2026 (pdf, 215KB), outlining a whole of institution approach for targeted action to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for the University community.
Our Strategic Actions are led by the University's Safer Communities Office and involve consultation with our key stakeholders, including our students and staff. These initiatives were endorsed by the University Executive's People and Culture Committee in August 2024.
Our annual reports present data regarding disclosures and complaints made to the University and detail our many and varied actions to educate and engage with our community to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
Access the 2023 Annual Report on Sexual Misconduct (pdf, 4.2MB).
Access the 2022 Annual Report on Sexual Misconduct (pdf, 2.5MB).
The 1800 SYD HLP (1800 793 457) phone service can immediately connect members of our community to Protective Services, Safer Communities Office, complaints handling staff and support services.
There is a dedicated option for students to speak to specialist staff at the Safer Communities Office about any incident of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment they may have experienced. It also enables staff members to connect with staff support services and specialist advice to assist members of our community in distress.
The amended policies allow the University to disclose information about interim measures and investigation outcomes to affiliated external entities such as student accomodation, residential colleges, student organisations, University of Sydney Union (USU) and Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF) clubs and societies to ensure a consistent approach to managing safety for our community.
Student Sexual Misconduct Policy 2023
Student Sexual Misconduct Response Procedures 2023
In 2023, the University continued to deliver initiatives within the Roadmap to the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct (pdf, 127KB), which included:
It is encouraging to note that the actions we have taken to date have led to improvements in some areas. More members of our University community are seeking support and there is greater awareness about where to obtain support and how to make a disclosure or complaint. However, many issues of great concern remain. One case is one too many. To every person who has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, we are deeply sorry.
We thank those individuals for coming forward. Through reporting and sharing their experiences, they have helped us increase our understanding of the prevalence and nature of sexual misconduct experienced by members of our University community.