Excelsia > About > Wellbeing and Safety > Gender-based violence (GBV)
EXCELSIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. EVERYONE’S COMMUNITY.
Excelsia is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive community for all students, staff, and visitors. Gender-based violence (GBV) is any harmful behaviour directed at a person because of their gender and includes physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, socio-economic, and technology-facilitated abuse, as well as coercive control. Excelsia does not tolerate any form of GBV and is committed to providing timely, compassionate, and trauma informed support to any member of the community who discloses or reports an incident.
WHAT IS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE?
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harmful behaviour directed at a person because of their gender. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, and technology-facilitated abuse, as well as coercive control, stalking, intimidation, and online harassment.
WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual Assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent.
WHAT IS CONSENT?
Consent occurs when a person freely and voluntarily agrees to engage in a sexual act.
Consent cannot be given by people who are:
incapacitated due to intoxication or the influence of drugs;
incapacitated due to their age or intellectual capacity;
unconscious or asleep;
under threat of or actual force;
intimidated, coerced or threatened;
unlawfully detained or held against their will; or tricked or manipulated due to the person being in a position of trust into providing consent.
SUPPORT OFFICERS
Excelsia has trained Support Officers available to support any member of the Excelsia community who has experienced or been affected by gender-based violence (GBV). They are the first point of contact for disclosures and reports relating to GBV and will respond with respect, compassion, and confidentiality. Support Officers can provide information about available support services, including internal wellbeing support and external services such as police, medical, counselling, and crisis support, as well as guidance on reporting options and University College processes.
BYSTANDER/FIRST RESPONDER BEHAVIOUR
As respectful members of the Excelsia community, we all play a role in helping create a safe and supportive environment. It is safe to do, active bystanders can help prevent or respond to gender-based violence (GBV), harassment, assault, or other harmful behaviours. Here are some ways to safely support others as an active bystander or first responder.
Analyse the situation – If you notice harmful behaviour occurring, pay attention to what is happening and who is around you. Consider whether the situation may place someone at risk.
Recognise there is a problem – Reflect on the behaviour you have witnessed. If something feels wrong, unsafe, or inappropriate, trust your instincts and avid ignoring the situation.
Take responsibility – Many people assume someone else will intervene. If it is safe to do so, choose to act or seek help to support the person affected.
How can you help? – Decide on the safest and most appropriate way to respond. There are different ways to intervene as an active bystander.
Delegate – Seek help from someone better placed to intervene, such as security, staff, emergency services, or a Support Officer.
Distract – Interrupt or de-escalate the situation without directly confronting the behaviour. For example, start a conversion, create a distraction, or help the person leave the situation safely.
Direct – If it is safe, directly address the harmful behaviour by calmly telling the person to stop or by checking in with the person affected.
CONTACTS FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
24/7 Crisis & Counselling Support – 1800RESPECT
Phone: 1800 737 732
Website: 1800RESPECT
Full Stop Australia
Phone: 1800 385 578
Website: Full Stop Australia
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14
Website: Lifeline Australia
NSW Domestic Violence Line
Phone: 1800 656 463
Website: NSW Domestic Violence Line
Victims Services NSW
Phone: 1800 633 063
Website: Victims Services NSW
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636
Website: Beyond Blue
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 789 978
Website: MensLine Australia
Women’s Legal Service NSW
Phone: 1800 801 501
Website: Women’s Legal Service NSW
Legal Aid NSW
Phone: 1300 888 529
Website: Legal Aid NSW
LGBTQIA+ Support
ACON – Say It Out Loud
Website: ACON Say It Out Loud
Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association NSW
Phone: (02) 9635 8022
Website: Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association NSW
National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services
Website: National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Services
Police / Ambulance / Fire: 000
Police Assistance Line
131 444
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Framework
LODGING A REPORT
If you have experienced or been affected by gender-based violence (GBV) and would like to make a report or disclosure, please click the ‘Report GBV’ (will make this a hyperlink). This will direct you to a secure online form where you can provide as much information as you feel comfortable sharing.
You can use this form if:
You have experienced gender-based violence (GBV) or other harmful behaviour;
You have witnessed a member of the Excelsia community experiencing GBV;
A member of the Excelsia community has shared their experience of GBV with you and has not taken any further action; or
You would like to make a disclosure, seek support, or report an incident affecting yourself or another member of the Excelsia community.
You can complete this form anonymously or with contact details.
An anonymous report does not include the name or contact details of the person submitting the report. While anonymous reports are accepted, this may limit the support, follow-up, or action Excelsia can provide.
If you choose to provide your contact details, Excelsia may contact you to discuss support options, reporting pathways, or next steps. If you are reporting on behalf of another person, please do not include their name or contact details unless you have their permission to do so.
For staff: Staff members can use this form to report incidents of gender-based violence (GBV). This includes behaviour by students, staff, visitors, or members of the public that impacts the safety and wellbeing of staff or students.
This form should not be used to report staff matters unrelated to GBV. Staff seeking to report other workplace concerns should refer to the relevant Excelsia staff grievance or complaint procedures, speak with their supervisor, or contact Human Resources for confidential support and guidance.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SUBMITTING A REPORT?
Once you submit your completed form directly online by clicking the submit button the form will go to all the Support Officers to the email respect@excelsia.edu.au. If you have submitted a form with contact details, a support officer will be in touch with you within 24 hours to assist you through the next steps of the process.
If you have further questions about submitting a report, you can speak with the Student Success and Wellbeing Centre. To read about our policies and procedures regarding Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment above. (Will eventually be changed to the GBV framework).
LODGING A COMPLAINT
If you are not satisfied with the way that Excelsia has handled your report, you can contact TEQSA at www.teqsa.gov.au or the National Student Ombudsman at https://www.nso.gov.au/
