At ECU, we are committed to fostering a culture of safety, respect, and care. Every member of our community has the right to feel physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe. This information is designed to support staff who may be impacted by gender-based violence, including sexual assault, sexual harassment or family and domestic violence, or who may receive a disclosure from a colleague or student.
If your situation is immediately life threatening or you are the person sexually assaulted you can contact one of the following emergency services.
Sexual assault and sexual harassment are both forms of unwelcome sexual attention, however behaviour that amounts to sexual harassment is not necessarily a crime.
ECU encourages staff or students who are victims of sexual assault to report the assault to the WA Police.
Reporting a crime of sexual assault is an individual decision that only the person sexually assaulted can make. However, ECU will support staff or students who wish to report to WA Police.
ECU encourages all incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced or witnessed on our campuses or at an authorised ECU event to be reported. Reports can be made to
Our priority is to ensure that all staff have access to safe and confidential support services. Whether you need someone to talk to, guidance on what to do next or wish to report an incident, ECU will support you.
Further support is listed at the button link.
If any member of the ECU community has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment they may express a range of emotional or physical reactions. It is important to listen without judgement and to direct the person sexually assaulted or sexually harassed to the available support options.
Unless you are officially required by ECU, you are not expected to investigate the incident or counsel the person who has disclosed.
Any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats, based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy. Violence and harm can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, financial and technology-facilitated abuse (including image-based abuse), and stalking.
Sexual assault includes a range of behaviours, all of which are unacceptable and constitute a crime. Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent, including when they have withdrawn their consent.
Sexual assault is never the responsibility or fault of the person who has been assaulted. It’s a misuse of power and it violates personal boundaries.
Sexual assault is a crime and is often perpetrated by someone known to them. Sexual assault can happen to anyone of any age, gender, cultural background, sexual orientation or religious belief.
Sexual harassment happens when someone makes an unwanted sexual advance, asks for sexual favours, or behaves in a sexual way that would make a reasonable person feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or threatened.
Some examples include:
Consent is a free and voluntary agreement to an action or arrangement.
'Sexual consent’ cannot be given if a person is:
Search the course catalogue at the links below.