It has been a momentous week for sexual assault and abuse survivors in this country.
There has been shock and outrage with the release of the results of the Human Rights Commission survey in relation to sexual assault and harassment. However, of all the emotions that have been expressed, surprise should not be one of them. What the report has done is confirm what universities, advocates, commentators and society at large have known for so long.
The findings into sexual assaults on campuses provide a frightening insight into the numbers and types of assaults present within this institution. But it’s not only these institutions. It is our workplaces and our society as a whole.
Now the blame game is starting. It’s the universities that have allowed this to fester, it’s the colleges that have failed to enforce the harassment policies, etc etc.
Sexual assault support services:
- ANU Counselling Centre: (02) 6125 2442 (9:00am – 1:00pm and 2:00pm – 4:40pm)
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre: (02) 6247 2525 (7:00am – 11:00pm)
- National university support line: 1800 572 224 (until November 30, 2017)
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 131 114
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Again, this should not come as a surprise, since in the past we’ve blamed sporting bodies, celebrities, corporate executives, the judiciary, churches, teachers and the ADF. I think we’ve probably all had a fair slog at most institutions.
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