Content Note: The following article contains sensitive content, including themes of sexual harm. This may be distressing for some people. Visit Safer Community or Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion to seek support as needed.
Sexual harm is never ok.
Unfortunately, we know that sexual harm is prevalent in Australian universities. We also know that some students don’t know what sexual harm is – and don’t know where to report or seek support if they witness or experience it.
At La Trobe, we have many support and reporting options if you witness or experience sexual harm.
Where do I go for support: Safer Community or Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion?
Sometimes it can be confusing to know who to contact for support or assistance at university. You might be familiar with our Safe and Respected at La Trobe Campaign, but aren’t sure who to go to for assistance. Our ‘What support do I need‘ article unpacks some of the key differences between Safer Community and Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion services.
Who are Safer Community?
La Trobe’s Safer Community service is a free and confidential support and reporting service for all La Trobe students and staff. If you witness or experience inappropriate, threatening or concerning behaviour including sexual harm, in physical or online spaces please visit the Safer Community website to contact the service. You can also use the website to contact Safer Community anonymously.
In an emergency call Triple Zero: 000 (0 000 on University phones). If on campus you can also call Campus Security on 03 9479 2222 (x2222 from University phones).
Want to know what to expect when you contact Safer Community? Check out this article: What to expect when you contact Safer Community
Learn what the difference is between disclosing and reporting an incident to Safer Community.
Who are Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion?
Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion offer free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support services for students.
Students can talk to Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion staff about the impact of sexual harm including online or tech facilitated abuse, or other things like family issues, relationships, stress about uni, lack of motivation, stress at home, homesickness, feeling low or anxious, etc. Whatever issues you want to talk about!
Learn more about Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion at La Trobe.
The Safe and Respected at La Trobe Campaign
Starting on 22 July during Orientation and running for 5 weeks, La Trobe is running an awareness campaign, Safe and Respected at La Trobe, that aims to help prevent and respond to sexual harm.
You might see images across La Trobe campuses with a range of key messages outlining what sexual harm is, that it is never ok, and how to seek help and support.
Want to talk to someone outside of La Trobe? View these external supports:
- 1800 RESPECT: national sexual assault, domestic, family violence counselling service. Tel: 1800 737 732
- ESafety Commissioner: can help you report and deal with online abuse or illegal and restricted content.
- NCASA: 03 9496 2369, a sexual assault service located in Heidelberg. An NCASA counsellor also visits the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus weekly and can be accessed through Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion.
- CASACV: 03 5441 0430 for Bendigo students, trauma-informed counselling, advocacy and support for students who have experienced sexual assault, either recently or in the past. A CASACV counsellor visits the Bendigo Campus fortnightly and can be accessed through Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion.
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line: provides crisis response, support and advocacy for people who have experienced sexual violence. After Hours Tel: 1800 806 292.
- Djirra: Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to all Aboriginal women and particularly to those who are experiencing or have experienced family violence. Tel: 1800 105 3030
- Daisy app: connecting women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, and domestic and family violence to services in their state and the local area.
- QLife: Counselling for LGBTIQ people, by LGBTIQ people. Tel: 1800 184 527
- Men’s Line: free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress, and wellbeing. Tel: 1300 78 99 78.