University of Western Australia
A safe and respectful community
Our aim is to create a safe, respectful and equitable UWA, free from gender-based violence and sexual harm by empowering and equipping our students and staff to drive cultural change.
We provide our community with education and capacity building initiatives to change the story of gender-based violence and promote a UWA community that embraces diversity.
Respectful Relationships online module
Let’s get on the same page and learn about respectful relationships at UWA.
After completing the module, you will be able to:
- Understand why sexual consent is non-negotiable;
- Know the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault;
- Consider your own boundaries in different situations;
- Identify how you can be an active and ethical bystander to support your friends;
- Identify where to go for help at UWA or externally if you need it.
Respectful Relationships takes just 15 minutes to complete. Follow these steps to download your completion badge.
Workshops and training
Register for a free workshop to learn more about a range of topics. If you would like to request a bespoke session for a Student Club or work area, express your interest on our registration form.
Learn how to be an active bystander and take action if you see someone being disrespected.
Duration: 2 hours
Gain the skills and confidence to respond to someone who has experienced gender-based violence or sexual harm.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Build the knowledge and skills to create a safe and respectful UWA for LGBTQIA+ students
Duration: 2.5 hours
Collaborating makes our community safer
The Safer Communities Advisory Committee was established in 2016 in response to the report by Australian Human Rights Commission. It exists to build a safe, inclusive and supportive campus culture at UWA. Through collaboration between staff, students, College Row and the Student Guild.
The Working Group is Co-Chaired by the Student Guild President and the Director of Student Life.
Download 2022 report [PDF, 14MB]
Download past reports:
2021[PDF, 1.4MB]
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Highlights and achievements
We are very proud of the work done by both students and staff to help make UWA a safer place. Since the first national survey on this topic in 2016, some of our key initiatives have included:
- Formed the UWA Safer Communities Working Group in partnership with the UWA Student Guild and launched the Safer Communities Award.
- Launched a confidential, specialised Disclosure Service to support students who have been affected by sexual harm with safety planning, academic impacts, fast tracked referrals and information on reporting options.
- Launched an online system for reporting incidents to make the process easier.
- Launched Step Up Bystander Intervention Training and trained over 1,500 students and staff to safely intervene if they hear or see disrespect.
- Commissioned a review of sexual misconduct within the college setting. The majority of recommendations made in the review have since been endorsed and implemented by all colleges and this work is still ongoing.
- Implemented the Ask for Angela initiative at the UWA Tavern.
- Increased the number of Guild student club executives that receive training from the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC).
View the full list of key initiatives [PDF, 102KB].
The 2021 Safer Communities Working Group Report [PDF, 1.4MB] outlines the latest key achievements in safety, inclusion and wellbeing.
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National Student Safety Survey
Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and feedback in the 2021 National Student Safety Survey. The Survey is an important part of the University's ongoing commitment to ensuring our students, staff and visitors feel respected and that our campus is a safe and inclusive place.
View UWA's report [PDF, 323KB] or the full 2021 National Student Safety Survey
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College Row Cultural Review and Taskforce
In October 2017, UWA and the five residential colleges commissioned a review of sexual misconduct within the college setting in accordance with Recommendation 9 from The Australian Human Rights Commission Change the Course Report. The overarching report findings are available in the Report’s Executive Summary. A Taskforce was convened in December 2019 to address the recommendations.
