Respect. Now. Always.
Sexual assault and sexual harassment support
If you have witnessed or experienced sexual assault, harassment, domestic violence, bullying or discrimination, you are not alone, and it is not your fault.
The University encourages you to seek support and report. You are in control of what happens next.
Report Sexual Harm
You can report sexual harm using one of the following options:
Anonymous disclosure report
This document will provide you the information and guidance on how to report and seek support at CDU.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is a crime which carries serious penalties. It covers a range of sexual acts which take place without a person's consent, or where their consent has been obtained through deception or coercion, or where their consent is withdrawn.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated and which a reasonable person having regard to all the circumstances would have anticipated as likely to cause offence, humiliate or intimidate.
Examples of sexual harassment include:
- non-consensual physical contact, such as pinching, touching, grabbing, kissing or hugging
- sexual assault
- staring or leering at a person or parts of their body
- persistent requests to go on dates that are refused
- suggestive comments about a person’s body or appearance
- sexual jokes or comments and sexually explicit conversations
- displays of offensive material, for example, showing pornographic materials
- accessing or downloading sexually explicit or inappropriate material from the internet
- sending rude or offensive emails, attachments or text messages (including pictures of body parts)
- advances via online platforms
- intrusive questions about a person's private life or physical appearance
- disclosure of a person’s private personal information without their permission
- sexually explicit gifts
- conduct that creates a sexually inappropriate workplace or study environment.
What is consent?
Consent is an agreement between people to engage in a sexual activity.
- Consent means freely choosing to say ‘yes’ to a sexual activity.
- Consent is needed for any kind of sexual activity, from touching, or kissing to intercourse.
- It’s always clearly communicated - there should be no mystery or doubt.
- There are laws around who can consent and who can't.
- Without consent, any sexual activity is against the law and can be harmful.
Silence or lack of resistance does NOT equal consent.
Learn more about consent in the free online course, Consent Matters.
Respect at CDU
CDU is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment, actively preventing and responding to sexual assault, harassment, and bullying.
We foster understanding of boundaries and respect, encouraging all students and staff to seek support and report any incidents of sexual assault.
Join us in creating a University where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered.
What to do if you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment
Ensure you are safe, in a safe place and seek 24/7 support from any of the following:
- In an emergency, contact police on 000.
- In the NT, contact the NT Sexual Assault Referral Centre for immediate and confidential advice and support on (08) 8922 6472.
- Throughout Australia, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or see support services across Australia listed at www.1800respect.org.au.
- Contact CDU Security through the SafeZone App, or call 1800 646 501.
- CDU Wellbeing Support Line - available 24/7: Free call 1300 933 393 or SMS 0488884144
- Making a disclosure, report or complaint as an identified or anonymous report.