In an emergency
In any life-threatening situation always call Emergency Services first via 000.
Then alert SafeUniSC Security for immediate response, first aid and to direct emergency services to an incident location.
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) Tel: 000
SafeUniSC (On Campus security 24/7) Tel: +61 7 5430 1168
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Gender-based violence for students when in an external organisation or away from campus
You have the right to be safe, respected and free from gender-based violence, sexual misconduct, discrimination, bullying and other harmful behaviour during placement, internship, practicum, fieldwork, study tours and other work-integrated learning activities. UniSC support remains available even when the behaviour occurs at an external organisation or away from campus.
Placement supervisors, educators and host staff are expected to always maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.
Our commitment
UniSC is committed to a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment. Gender-based violence includes physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, cultural, spiritual or technology-facilitated abuse underpinned by gender-based power inequalities, social norms or discrimination. UniSC takes disclosures and reports seriously and responds with care, compassion and trauma-informed practice.
What is not acceptable
Unacceptable behaviour
- sexual harassment, sexual comments, unwanted touching or pressure for sex (placement hosts/supervisors, clients/patients as potential perpetrators)
- stalking, threats, intimidation, humiliation or controlling behaviour
- online abuse, repeated personal messages or sharing intimate images without consent
- discrimination, retaliation or disadvantage after you raise a concern or set a boundary
- a host, supervisor, client or colleague using their position to seek personal or sexual access
Placement-specific warning signs
- being told inappropriate conduct is simply part of the workplace culture
- pressure to meet alone, travel or socialise outside legitimate placement needs
- threats that reporting will affect assessment, hours, references or future employment
- unclear supervision, isolated work, unsafe accommodation or inadequate after-hours arrangements
- being directed to keep conduct secret or avoid contacting UniSC
- pressure to exchange personal phone numbers or social media contacts
- repeated comments about appearance, relationships or sexuality
- requests to meet outside work hours without a legitimate educational purpose
- being left without appropriate supervision
- being allocated duties inconsistent with placement learning objectives
- being discouraged from contacting UniSC
Power and consent
Hosts and supervisors may influence assessment, attendance, references, access to opportunities and whether a placement continues. That power must not be used to pressure, punish or control a student. Consent cannot be inferred from dependence, silence, fear, alcohol use, previous contact or concern about failing a placement.
Students may experience gender-based violence differently depending on disability, culture, sexuality, gender identity, age or other aspects of their identity.
Placement Provider Expectations
What UniSC expects from placement providers
Placement organisations are expected to:
- provide a safe learning environment
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries
- respond appropriately to disclosures and reports
- cooperate with UniSC where student safety is affected
- avoid victimisation or retaliation
- support reasonable adjustments where appropriate
Before and during placement
- know your UniSC contact, host contact, emergency arrangements and reporting pathways
- complete required safety and preparation modules, including PrePlace where applicable
- keep professional communication on approved channels where possible
- raise concerns early, including conduct that feels unsafe even if you are unsure whether it meets a formal reporting threshold
- do not put yourself at further risk to collect evidence or confront the person involved
You can seek help without deciding to report
Your safety and study should come first.
You may contact UniSC for advice and support before making a formal report. The host organisation does not replace UniSC as a source of support, and you should not be required to resolve the matter alone.
What UniSC may be able to help with:
- immediate safety planning and connection with specialist services
- contacting the placement team or host, where appropriate and with attention to your wishes and safety
- adjustments to attendance, assessment, supervision arrangements, placement schedules or reasonable academic requirements where appropriate
- explaining UniSC and host reporting options and what may happen next
- respecting your privacy and choices wherever possible. In exceptional circumstances, UniSC may need to contact police or another agency, or take action without your prior consent, where a child is at risk or there is a serious or imminent risk to another person.
- considering an alternative placement or other academic measures where reasonably available
- disability-related supports, accessibility accommodations and reasonable adjustments during placement where required to promote equitable participation and safety, including interpreter or alternative communication support
Reporting to the host, UniSC or police
Depending on the circumstances, you may choose to:
- disclose to UniSC
- report through the host organisation
- make a formal UniSC report
- contact police
- use more than one pathway
These processes serve different purposes. Ask for an explanation of confidentiality, information sharing, timelines and possible outcomes before deciding where possible.
You can seek confidential support and information without making a formal report. A disclosure seeks support, safety planning or information. A formal report asks UniSC to consider formal action. You do not have to decide immediately.
Will raising a concern affect my placement?
UniSC should not penalise you for seeking support or reporting harmful conduct. Sometimes a placement may need to be paused, changed or reviewed to protect safety or meet professional requirements. The academic consequences and available alternatives depend on the course, accreditation requirements and circumstances, so UniSC cannot promise that every placement will continue unchanged. You should be consulted and supported through decisions affecting your study.
Support and reporting
| University service | How they can help |
|---|---|
| Safer Communities |
Confidential support, safety planning, reporting options and academic adjustments. Phone: +61 7 5430 1226 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm |
| SafeUniSC Security |
Immediate safety assistance on campus and after-hours support. Phone: +61 7 5430 1168 |
| UniSC Student Guild Advocacy |
Free, independent advice to help understand University processes, correspondence and complaints. Email: [email protected] |
| UniSC WIL support |
Find your discipline-specific WIL or placement contact. Contact Work-integrated-learning |
| Emergency and external support |
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (24/7) Interpreter, communication support and accessible information formats can be arranged where required. |
Report a concern or seek support
If you or anyone you know experiences Gender-based violence, help is available. It is important to know that you can seek support and tell us about an incident without making a formal report. The Safer Communities team can provide confidential support and assist you to understand your options.
Learn more about what you can expect if you make a report at UniSC
More information
Contact Safer Communities
Tel: +61 7 5430 1226
Email [email protected] or [email protected]