New supervisory authority to ensure student safety on campus

Important points

Education Minister Jason Clare introduced the National Student Ombudsman Bill in Parliament on Wednesday.
The Ombudsman deals with student complaints and resolves disputes with universities.
If the law is passed, the Ombudsman will begin accepting complaints in February next year.

This article contains references to sexual assault.

One in twenty college students has been sexually assaulted and one in six has been sexually harassed on campus.

Of those who reported the incidents, half said they received no response from their education provider, according to a 2021 student survey.

Education Minister Jason Clare said the “system had failed students”, who had a right to safety, and introduced the creation of a national student ombudsman to oversee future complaints in higher education.

Former student and founder of End Rape on Campus Australia, Sharna Bremner, was quoted by the minister during the second reading of the bill in Parliament on Tuesday morning.

“I'm tired of my friends being attacked. I'm tired of having to beg to feel safe. And I'm tired of feeling ignored.”

The new bill aims to protect students who experience sexual assault at universities. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

In an emotional press conference, Bremner, who has fought for students' rights for 10 years, said the legislation would enable students to complete their education.

“I think equity for the students we support means that they can successfully complete their education,” she told reporters.

“It looks like you're not dropping out of college because you were sexually harassed, and it looks like you have a university that offers you the emotional, but also academic, support you need to be successful.”

The announcement follows last year's parliamentary inquiry into national consent laws, during which victims/survivors described harrowing experiences on campus.

Camille Schloeffel, founder of the STOP campaign, said it was “not good enough” that students who were sexually assaulted were forced to confront their abusers in dormitories or classrooms.

“They live next door to the person who raped them. They report it to a university employee and the university tells them there's nothing they can do about it,” she said.

“I can absolutely attest to how traumatic and damaging the reactions of universities are after an experience. Many people say that their experience is so much worse after reporting it that they wish they had never told the university about it.”

So what will a national student regulator do?

A national student ombudsman will ensure that concerns are treated with care and respect and will provide all higher education students with a trauma-responsive complaints process, the minister said.

It will be able to investigate complaints on a wide range of issues, recommend measures to universities and monitor their implementation.

In addition, it will be able to compel the release of information, documents and other materials, enter universities as part of an investigation and complete reports within 45 days.

Four women, including three young women, sit on the grass holding signs calling for stronger measures against sexual violence.

According to a student survey, one in twenty university students has been sexually harassed. Source: AAP / Steven Markham

Individuals may also be compelled to appear before the Ombudsman and answer questions.

A separate law will also create a national code for higher education institutions to ensure an improved response to gender-based violence and hold universities accountable.

Universities will be required to demonstrate that they have offered counselling to victims and alleged perpetrators and that they have accommodation arrangements in place that prioritise student safety.

If the law is passed by Parliament in time, the Ombudsman will begin accepting complaints on 1 February 2025.

With additional reporting from AAP.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In case of emergency, call 000.

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New supervisory authority to ensure student safety on campus

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