Need support now?
If you are in immediate danger call Emergency Services on 000, then alert SafeUniSC (security) call 5430 1168
Other resources
Our commitment
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment.
We recognise that gender-based violence causes serious harm and has lasting impacts on individuals, communities and institutions. UniSC takes all disclosures and reports of gender-based violence seriously and responds with care, compassion, and trauma-informed practice.
Safety, dignity, cultural respect, and choice guide our prevention, reporting and response approaches.
Professor Helen Bartlett
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President
What is gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence (GBV) is defined in the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence as:
Any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats based on gender that result in, or are likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy.
Gender-based violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual violence, family and intimate partner violence, technology-facilitated abuse, coercive control, dating violence and sexual harassment.
Gender-based violence is predominantly experienced by women and gender-diverse or LGBTIQA+ people, though it can affect people of all genders. It can also occur alongside other forms of discrimination or abuse, including racism or ableism.
UniSC’s Response to GBV
UniSC follows the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (2025), which sets clear expectations for when universities must act.
When UniSC can take action
UniSC will take action and respond to disclosures and reports of gender-based violence when it:
- occurs during University activities (including classes, online learning, fieldwork, placements, WIL, research, residences, University-run events, and digital platforms)
- occurs in third-party or placement settings linked to UniSC
- happens outside campus but involves staff or students whose relationship exists because of UniSC
- creates a current safety risk for anyone in a UniSC learning or work environment
When UniSC’s role is to support
Some experiences of gender-based violence may occur outside University settings or without a direct connection to UniSC. In these circumstances, UniSC may not be able to formally investigate or take disciplinary action.
However, UniSC will still:
- provide trauma-informed support
- assist with referrals to external specialist services
- offer reasonable study or workplace adjustments where appropriate
Support services
Safer Communities
Email safe@usc.edu.au
Call (07) 5456 3864
Student Wellbeing
Email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au
Call (07) 5430 1226
Health, Safety and Wellbeing (staff)
Email hsw@usc.edu.au
Employee Assistance Program (staff)
Call 1300 361 008
1800RESPECT
Visit 1800respect.org.au
DVConnect
Visit dvconnect.org
eSafety Commissioner
Visit esafety.gov.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
13YARN (24/7)
Call 13 92 76
Visit 13yarn.org.au
LGBTIQA+ people
DVConnect LGBTIQA+ support
Visit dvconnect.org
Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline
Call1800 497 212
Concerned about your own behaviour?
No to Violence Men’s Referral Service
CAll 1300 766 491
Visit ntv.org.au
DVConnect Mensline (QLD)
Call1800 600 636
Policies, plans and accountability
GBV Governing Policy
UniSC’s GBV Governing Policy defines gender-based violence in line with the National Higher Education Code and sets out the University’s principles, scope, and obligations for preventing and responding to GBV in a trauma-informed, culturally safe way.
GBV Prevention and Response Plan (2026–2030)
UniSC’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Plan (2026–2030) translates the Governing Policy into practice by outlining how the University prevents harm, supports disclosures, responds to reports, and monitors progress through clear governance, accountability and reporting arrangements.
Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP)
UniSC’s Gender Equality Action Plan addresses the underlying drivers of gender-based violence identified in the National Code, including gendered power hierarchies, gendered social roles and norms, and bias and discrimination, through structural and cultural change across the institution.
Aggregated GBV reporting
Current aggregated data on sexual violence is published below. This information will continue to be publicly available and expanded over time to reflect broader GBV reporting, in line with the Code’s transparency requirements.