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Sexual assault and sexual harassment

At ECU we are committed to a safe learning and working environment. Sexual assault and sexual harassment is unacceptable.

We have a stand-alone Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) Policy to support and articulate the University’s commitment to prevent and address sexual assault and sexual harassment

Support is available from ECU and other organisations, no matter when or where the assault or harassment happened.

Who do I call in an emergency?

If your situation is immediately life-threatening or urgent, contact one of the following emergency services:

  • WA Police: phone 000 in a emergency or life-threatening situation or phone 131 444 for a non-emergency call.
  • ECU Security: call (08) 6304 3333 (can be contacted 24 hours, 7 days a week).
  • ECU Out of Hours Crisis Line: phone 1300 583 032 or text 0488 884 232 (available 4:30pm to 8:30am on weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends)
  • Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC): phone (08) 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 for emergency counselling and medical services in Perth.

How do I report an incident?

We encourage students to report sexual assault to the WA Police. We also recognise that reporting a crime of sexual assault is an individual decision which only the person assaulted can make.

  • WA Police: call 131 444 or go to your local police station.

We also encourage you to report any incident of sexual assault or sexual harassment that you experience or witness on our campuses, or at any of our activities, to ECU. You can remain anonymous.

  • ECU Security: call (08) 6304 2282
  • Report via our online form.
More about reporting options

What support is available?

We encourage you to seek support. Sexual assault or harassment is not something you should have to cope with on your own. You don't need to submit a formal report to access support at ECU.

More about support available for students

How can I support someone else?

If someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, they may express a range of emotional or physical reactions. There is no right or wrong way for them to react. It’s important that you listen without judgement and ask them how you might help.

More about responding to disclosures

What is sexual assault?

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.

What is sexual harassment?

An unwanted sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours, or conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances would have anticipated the possibility that a recipient would be humiliated, intimidated or offended.

Examples may include kissing, embracing, patting, pinching, touching, leering, gestures, intrusive questions about a person's private or sexual life, sexually suggestive comments, noises  or jokes, repeated or inappropriate invitations to date, explicit pictures, emails or texts.

What is consent?

Consent is agreement to an action or arrangement and must be given without fear, coercion or manipulation.

'Sexual consent’ means that you and your partner both consent to agreed sexual activity. Both people must always agree to proceed, and not to pressure someone if they don’t feel ready or decide they don’t want to continue. Either person can decide at any time that they don’t want to keep going. At that point they are no longer giving their consent and both people should stop.

You cannot give consent if you are:

  • asleep, unconscious or significantly affected by drugs or alcohol
  • unable to understand what you are consenting to
  • pressured or coerced because of threats, force, fear or harm to yourself or someone else
  • under the age of consent.
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