College Response to University Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

Janet Clarke Hall The University of Melbourne

As the first residential tertiary education institution for women in Australia in 1886, Janet Clarke Hall has a proud tradition of promoting fairness and equity. We applaud the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission, and those brave advocates who have brought the issue of sexual violence on campus to national attention. Over the past few years the College has worked to increase recognition of the issue, and to refine our own practices, policies and education in order to prevent sexual violence and better support its survivors.

We have worked closely with various groups including ‘The Hunting Ground Australia Project’, the Australian Human Rights Centre at UNSW, End Rape on Campus (EROC) Australia, CASA House, the University of Melbourne, and Melbourne Chapter of Colleges, as well as the Australian Human Rights Commission itself.

The College is providing annual external and internal training on respectful relationships, consent, and bystander engagement for all students and staff. In recent years students have engaged with staff, and with each other in important and sometimes difficult conversations about power, trust, and respectful relationships. There is always more for us to learn, and more to do as we refine our thinking and practice in terms of prevention, education, and support for survivors of sexual harassment and assault.

Whilst the College has long stood up for the rights of those pushed to the margins, this does not mean that we have historically always done right, or indeed the best that we possibly could do, for those who may have suffered sexual violence within our community. The College wishes to offer a deep and unreserved apology to anyone who has suffered through our failings, at an institutional level, and at any time throughout our history, in addressing the issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Alumni and friends of the College who wish to contact the College with any matter arising on the subject of sexual violence on campus are encouraged to do so.

You might wish to contact:

The Principal, Dr Eleanor Spencer-Regan, via principal@jch.unimelb.edu.au

Our SAFE Coordinator, Ms Briana Ellis, via deanstudies@jch.unimelb.edu.au

Please contact the Police directly on 000 if you require immediate assistance. Information and advice may be sought from the University of Melbourne Safer Communities website that lists university policies, external agencies and help for those who may have suffered from sexual assault. http://safercommunity.unimelb.edu.au. 

View JCH Policies