Mandatory National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Passed

The Albanese Government has taken a crucial step towards creating safer university campuses by passing legislation to establish a mandatory National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence. This move comes after years of students and advocacy groups pushing for change to address the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment on campus. The National Code will set standards and requirements for all higher education providers to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, with universities required to take evidence-based steps to educate students and staff on the issue. The Code will also introduce accountability at the highest level and ensure that staff are qualified to support victim-survivors.

Key Takeaways:

• The National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence will be mandatory for all higher education providers.
• The Code will require universities to take evidence-based steps to prevent gender-based violence, including providing education and training to students and staff.
• Universities must comply with the recommendations of the National Student Ombudsman in relation to gender-based violence.
• The Code will introduce accountability at the highest level, help drive cultural change, and make sure staff are qualified to support victim-survivors.
• The Code has been developed in consultation with victim-survivor advocates, students, the higher education sector, gender-based violence experts, states and territories, and relevant Australian Government agencies.
• Addressing sexual assault and harassment in universities was one of five priority actions from the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report.
• The National Code and Student Ombudsman are key measures of the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education, agreed by Education Ministers in February 2024.
• They contribute to the work to end gender-based violence in one generation as outlined in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Statistics:

• One in six students have reported sexual harassment and one in 20 have reported being sexually assaulted on campus. (Source: None provided)
• One in two students felt they weren't being heard when they made a complaint. (Source: None provided)

Sources:

• Murray Darling Basin Authority, "National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Passed."
• Australian Universities Accord Interim Report, "Priority Actions for Higher Education."
• National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.