We understand that concerning, threatening or inappropriate behaviour might affect you during your time at VU, regardless of where it takes place.
If you or someone you know is affected by concerning behaviours, Safer Community can provide specialist advice, assistance and referrals to support.
What to do if you experience threatening behaviour
Bullying & cyberbullying
Bullying
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.
It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, text, apps, on social media and online forums, or in gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content.
Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behaviour.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok
text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices
instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet
online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit
email
online gaming communities.
Tell the person that their behaviour is inappropriate and ask them to stop.
Keep any evidence of the behaviour, such as photos, emails and messages, screenshots of post or comments.
Block the person.
Report the behaviour or seek advice, assistance and support from Victoria University Safer Community.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of bullying or cyberbullying, you can report this behaviour and/or seek support from Safer Community. You can report the behaviour either anonymously or with your contact details by using the online form or you can contact Safer Community directly.
VU Counselling provides free and confidential support to VU Students.
Tip: If you report bullying to Safer Community, it will help us to know what happened, and when. In making your report you may like to provide as with any emails, messages, screenshots or photos you have in relation to the behaviour.
Discrimination & harassment
Discrimination is treating someone unfairly because of a personal characteristic protected by the law. Protected personal characteristics include age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, political belief, race, religious belief or activity, and sex.
Harassment is a form of discrimination; it includes behaviour that causes offence, based on a characteristic, including sexual harassment.
Discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment are unlawful in areas of public life and are against the University's policies and procedures.
Discrimination occurs when an employer treats members of certain classes unfairly because of their memberships in those groups or their protected characteristics.
Harassment involves acts that are targeted towards one person. For instance, if a woman does not get a raise because she is a woman it is discrimination. If the woman is called derogatory names because she is a woman, it is instead harassment.
Discrimination
Federal discrimination laws protect people from discrimination of the basis of their:
race, including colour, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status
sex, pregnancy or marital status and breastfeeding
age
disability
sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
Harassment
Harassment can include behaviour such as:
telling insulting jokes about particular racial groups
sending explicit or sexually suggestive emails or text messages
displaying racially offensive or pornographic posters or screen savers
making derogatory comments or taunts about a person’s disability
asking intrusive questions about someone’s personal life, including his or her sex life.
It is important to understand that a one-off incident can constitute harassment.
Keep a record of what happened and when, as well anything you or others have done to try and stop the behaviour.
Keep any evidence, including emails and messages, screenshots of posts or comments.
Report online harassment to the social media site, e.g. Facebook or Twitter.
Report the behaviour or seek advice, assistance and support from the University:
discuss your concerns with teaching staff for support and referrals
Family violence is any behaviour that controls or dominates a family member and causes them to fear for their own or other family members' safety or well-being.
It can include physical, sexual, psychological, verbal, emotional or economic abuse. Any situation that causes a child to hear, witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of those behaviours also falls into this category.
Broad family, past relationships and 'family-like' relationships are included in the law (Family Violence Protection Act 2008).
Whether you want to stay in your relationship or leave, you are the best judge of your own safety. No matter what you decide, we can help you explore safety options, create a safety plan, and put in place safety measures to help reduce risk including access to aids, support or equipment.
Consider your options (below). For further information you can contact Safer Community.\
If you are staying
Think about what you can do to keep you and your children safe, especially at times when you sense that the violence may be escalating.
Talk to neighbours that you know and trust; ask them to call 000 if they hear violence or abuse.
Contact trusted family and friends and set up a code word that you can text them in case you need them to call 000 on your behalf.
Plan and practice (with your children) your escape route from the house; don’t plan to flee to areas where you can become trapped. Identify areas free from weapons: the most dangerous rooms in your house are the bathroom, kitchen and garage.
Teach your children that their job is to stay safe, not to rescue you. Teach your children how to call 000 for the police, fire or ambulance.
If your children are old enough, practice a ‘safe word’ or sentence with them, let them know to get ready to leave the house if you say the safe word.
If you have to flee, plan how you would do so. Know the location of your nearest police station or hospital and go there if you need to.
If you are planning to leave
The time just before leaving a family violence situation can be very dangerous. When it comes time to leave, make a plausible excuse to leave the house, or leave while the person using violence is not at home.
Only tell trusted people that you are planning to leave, and where you are planning to go.
Turn off location settings on your mobile phone and any other technology you are taking with you. If the person using violence had access to your technology, consider leaving these items behind.
Hide a bag with clothes, medication, keys and other important items that you can grab easily, or else leave the bag with someone you trust.
Make copies or take photos of important documents, e.g. your passport and driver’s licence, medicare card, deeds to your house, and any other important financial records.
If you have children take clothes for them, their medical records and medication, bottles and nappies, and some of their favourite toys.
If you have pets, take food and whatever equipment you need to travel, such as a lead, pet cage and pet bed.
Safety after leaving
The time after leaving a family violence situation is also very dangerous. Be vigilant during this time.
Consider getting an intervention order if you don’t already have one.
Try to change your routine. This could mean leaving home or work at different hours, shopping in different places, or driving instead of catching public transport.
Let key people know about your situation, e.g. your boss and other work colleagues or your children’s teachers, talk to them about what they should do if they are worried about your safety or the safety of your children.
Look at ways to increase security in your home, like changing your locks or installing security measures like a property alarm, security lights and CCTV.
Replace any technology that the person using violence set up, registered or had access to, including smartphones, tablets and Ipads, computers, smart watches etc.
Block the person using violence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp and any other forms of social media.
Change the passwords of your online accounts including social media, email, banking accounts, MyGov and your e-tag account if you have a car.
Redirect your mail and get a post office box.
Seek help from a professional support service, such as:
1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and webchat. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Salvation Amy: the Salvation Army provides a wide range of services around the country to support women and women with children impacted by domestic and family violence.
National Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Service: visit the 1800Respect website or call 1800 737 732
Safe Steps: visit the Safe Steps website , reach out via email [email protected] or call the 24/7 helpline at 1800 015 188. Additionally, connect over web chat from 9am – midnight, weekdays.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing.
It may affect our mood, thinking and behaviours and over time it can impact on how we handle stress, study, make choices, and relate to others and the environment.
Mental health problems are common and help is available.
Immediate risk
If you believe someone is an immediate risk to themselves or others, you should call for help as soon as possible.
Off campus
Victoria Police & Ambulance 000 (if someone is injured, violent or armed).
Psychiatric Triage Services (information, assessment and referral).
Footscray Park, Footscray Nicholson and Werribee: 1300 657 259.
Sunshine, Melton, St Albans, City Campus: 1300 874 243.
Lifeline 13 11 14 (telephone crisis counselling).
On campus
Security
9919
6666
(if injured, violent or armed, and 24/7)
VU wants children and young people to be safe, respected, engaged and happy within the VU community. VU is committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all young people.
This includes:
A commitment to the cultural safety of young people with Aboriginal heritage and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
A commitment to the social and psychological safety of young people of all sexualities and gender identities, including intersex young people
A commitment to enabling the full participation of young people with disabilities.
VU is committed to preventing child abuse or harm by or through the early identification of risks in the University environment and the removal and reduction of those risks.
VU has robust human resources and recruitment practices for all staff, which explicitly consider child safety and wellbeing. VU is also committed to regularly training and educating its staff on the risks of child abuse or harm.
VU has zero tolerance of child abuse or harm, and all allegations and safety concerns made to VU will be treated very seriously and consistently in line with VU's policies and procedures.
VU has policies and procedures to guide and support its leadership team and staff to achieve these commitments to provide a child-safe environment. These include:
If you have immediate safety concerns about a child or young person, please call 000.
If you have general safety concerns about a child or young person, contact the Child Protection intake office where the child lives. After 5pm and on weekends, contact the Child Protection after hours service on 13 12 78.
If you are a current VU staff member, contractor, volunteer or council member, please direct any queries about Working with Children Checks to People and Culture.
What to do if you or someone you know is experiencing self-harm or suicidal behaviours.
Self-harm is deliberate injuring of oneself. It is usually an attempt to cope with strong feelings of anger, despair, grief, or self-hatred. Self-harm is not a type of suicidal behaviour.
Suicidal behaviours are thoughts and attempts to deliberately kill oneself.
Immediate risk of harm
If you believe someone is at immediate risk, you should call for help as soon as possible.
Off campus
Victoria Police & Ambulance 000 (if someone is injured, violent or armed)
Psychiatric Triage Services (information, assessment and referral)
Footscray Park, Footscray Nicholson and Werribee: 1300 657 259
Sunshine, Melton, St Albans, City Campus: 1300 874 243
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (telephone crisis counselling)
On campus
Student Wellbeing (business hours only)
Security: +61 3 9919 6666 (if injured, violent or armed, and 24/7)
No immediate risk of harm
If you have concerns someone you know might be considering self-harming or having suicidal thoughts, but there is no immediate risk of harm, you should consider booking an appointment with support services.
Victoria University (VU) works to provide a safe and inclusive place for all who work, study and visit here.
We are committed to supporting staff and students affected by sexual assault or sexual harassment, regardless of where and when it takes place.
Sexual assault or sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour or activity, which can make you feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened.
What is a sexual assault?
Sexual assault covers a range of sexual behaviours which take place without a person's consent, or where their consent has been obtained through deception or coercion, or where consent is withdrawn. This includes:
rape
indecent assault (sexual acts that involve touching but not penetration)
any sexual contact with a child
sexual servitude
forcing someone to witness a sex act.
Sexual assault is a crime and can happen to anyone in our community. A sexual assault can carry a serious criminal penalty if found proven.
Reporting a crime or being a victim of crime will not affect your visa or employment status.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which:
violates your dignity
makes you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated
creates a hostile or offensive environment.
Sexual harassment also includes:
sexual comments or jokes
physical behaviour, including unwelcome sexual advances, touching and various forms of sexual assault
displaying pictures, photos or drawings of a sexual nature
sending emails with a sexual content.
You don’t need to have previously objected to someone's behaviour for it to be considered unwanted.
Immediate assistance
If you, or someone you know, is unsafe or needs immediate assistance, call for help as soon as you can.
You can report any concern relating to a sexual assault and/or sexual harassment to Victoria University. You will receive confidential advice and assistance about your options, as well as referrals to support services.
If you report an experience of sexual assault or sexual harassment at Victoria University, you can trust that you will be listened to, supported and that your report will be treated confidentially.
You can make a report to Safer Community anonymously. However, our ability to provide you with support and advice may be limited. If you feel uncomfortable reporting, talk to a trusted friend or family member. Ask them to help you make contact or to come with you to report.
When you report to the University you have control over the action we take. If you are a student, we will not share your report with anyone else unless one of these applies:
you provide us with your consent
there are very serious safety concerns and we are legally obligated to act immediately.
inTouch: Provides services and support to migrants and refugees. Call 1800 755 988
Q Life: Provides peer support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people and their friends, families and allies. Call 1800 184 527
Djirra: Provides culturally safe and accessible services to Aboriginal people seeking support. Call 1800 105 303
Women's Information & Referral Exchange (WIRE) : Any woman, any issue - free support, referral and information for all Victorian women, non-binary and gender diverse people. Call 1300 134 130
WestCASA: a community-based sexual assault counselling service operating in Melbourne's west. A dedicated Counsellor Advocate from WestCASA will be available by appointment at Footscray Park every Monday, 9am-5pm call
+61
3 9919 5400
. Or collect a referral form from Wellbeing Reception, Building M, Level 2 and email it to: [email protected].
VU students and staff can access dedicated, 24/7 support, call:
+61
3 9216 0411
Supporting someone who has told you about sexual assault or sexual harassment
1. Believe them
Believing someone when they tell you about sexual assault or sexual harassment is really important. It takes a lot of courage for someone to talk about sexual assault or sexual harassment. Let your friend know that you believe them, and tell them that it’s not their fault.
2. Listen to them
Let the person talk, and really listen. Don’t focus on your reactions. Don’t ask for details of the assault, or ask questions like “Why did you go there?” or “Were you drunk?” Just listen, and let them know you want to support them.
3. Help them to find support
Getting support as soon as possible is important. See the important contacts listed on this page (above). Sexual assault or sexual harassment of any kind is unacceptable. You can report an assault anonymously if you wish to Safer Community.
Stalking is unwanted and/or repeated surveillance, communication or contact by an individual or group toward another person.
Stalking behaviours are interrelated to harassment and intimidation, and may include following the victim in person or monitoring them, which can result in distress or fear.
Cyber stalking is stalking that occurs online, through email, phones and other devices. Cyber stalking includes identity theft, tracking someone's location and hacking or using online accounts.
Taking action early
As early as possible give a single clear message to the person that you don’t want any attention or contact from them, and ask them to stop the behaviour immediately
Cease all contact with the person
Do not respond to contact of any form from the person (it only serves to prolong the stalking, and even if the interaction is negative it encourages them to continue the behaviour)
Block the person’s email, phone number and social media accounts
Screen phone calls, especially from unknown numbers
Increase privacy settings on social media, ensure they are private.
Increase your personal safety
Keep your phone with you and program emergency numbers.
Make a safety plan, including family and friends phone numbers, and safe locations you can go that the person doesn’t know.
Keep your location private; do not post on social media, turn off location settings on your phone, and remove any phone finder apps.
Vary your travel routine or route, including using different shops.
Try to stay in public areas and have someone travel with you.
If being digitally stalked, change your passwords, create a new email account, and get a new phone number (SIM card).
Download personal safety apps on your phone, such as bSafe and VU Safe.
Seek advice & support
Safer Community provides advice, assistance and referrals, including appropriate safety arrangements.
Tell people you trust about the behaviour, including family, friends, your workplace and the University.
Ask trusted people to avoid contact with the person, and not to convey contact from the person to you or your location to the person.
Ask for their advice and support about how to deal with the behaviour.
You have the right to feel safe and respected when studying onsite at a VU campus, as well as when studying and/or engaging in VU related activities online (whether through an online learning platform or social media).
In return, you are expected to behave courteously, respectfully and responsibly so our online learning environment remains inclusive and enjoyable for all.
We want all students to be able to fully participate in their education, whether online, in person, or a mixture of both. As part of our commitment to you, we will provide the right tools, resources and support to help you learn and engage.
Maintain respect for others at all times
You cannot behave differently online than how you’d be expected to behave in person. Just as you can't bully, harass, sexually harass, discriminate against, stalk, groom, vilify or abuse someone in a face-to-face environment, you can-t do these things online either.
When you interact with others online as a VU student, as well as generally behaving respectfully and appropriately at all times, there are some specific things you must avoid.
You must not share content, use language or make comments that:
are inappropriately sexual in nature (this includes the sharing of nude or partially nude images, either of yourself or someone else, or engaging in sexting in a University online environment)
are discriminatory or offensive (e.g. using slurs, or insulting or belittling words, to refer to people with particular characteristics, such as ethnic origin, gender, sexuality or disability)
make threats or attempt to pressure someone else through fear or intimidation, for any reason whatsoever
depict or refer to illegal or violent acts (unless this is in the context of relevant learning, and any image shared has been approved by teaching staff)
are illegal to share (e.g. images depicting the sexual abuse of children).
Consider the consequences to yourself & others
It's important to remember than anything you post online could be visible to friends, family, colleagues, VU, and future employers.
Your old and/or deleted posts can still be found on the internet, and may affect you in the future.
Potential employers increasingly look at online activity in making hiring decisions. Poor behaviour online can limit your chances of getting the work you want, especially in a field where public confidence and reputation are important.
Follow the rules & obey the law
All online platforms have rules for users. You are expected to comply with those rules, whether it's a VU-run platform or not, whenever you're engaging in online learning or VU related activities as a VU student.
It's also important to be mindful at all times of particular areas of the law that online conduct can be impacted by, especially:
Privacy: You must not breach other people’s privacy through sharing personal or sensitive information without their consent, whether in a VU learning environment, social media, or any other online context. This includes information about other students, VU staff, and anyone you come into contact with via a work integrated learning placement (e.g. patients for healthcare students; primary or secondary school students and staff for education students).
Libel and defamation: “Naming and shaming” or accusing someone online can in some circumstances be considered defamatory/libellous, and action can be taken against you.
Via these processes you may receive warnings, be excluded from particular classes or activities, or be asked to make an apology to people affected by your conduct. In serious or repeated cases of substantiated inappropriate online conduct, you may even be expelled from VU.
Aside from the consequences that VU can impose, you may suffer very serious professional, legal or even criminal consequences for what you do and say online.
If you are studying a professionally accredited course or hold professional accreditation, VU may need to report your conduct to a professional regulator. This can negatively impact your ability to seek admission into your chosen profession or continue working in your profession.
Engaging in unacceptable behaviour online may also affect your ability to work with children and young people under the age of 18, especially if the conduct was sexual in nature. VU may be legally obliged to report your behaviours to various authorities
You may be sued for defamation or breach of copyright if you have posted material that gives rise to these actions.
If you have engaged in conduct that may result in a criminal offence, your conduct may be reported to Victoria Police.
If you experience or witness inappropriate online conduct, help is available. You are always welcome and encouraged to contact VU’s Safer Community Unit for advice and assistance. Safer Community also help you if you decide you want to progress the matter to a formal complaint.
Don't ignore or minimise bad behaviour online because you're concerned about rocking the boat – your safety and wellbeing, and that of other people who may also be affected but are less able to speak up, is important to us and we will take action to help.
Resources are available outside of VU to help you also. You may find useful advice and assistance from the following services.
The eSafety Commissioner has a training program designed for university support staff in areas such as student services, safety and wellbeing and human resources and covers latest online safety risks to young adults and proactive online safety strategies and highlights best practice responses to online safety incidents in a university context.
A toolkit is also available and provides targeted advice to assist university policy makers and non-academic staff, academics and other teaching staff and students deal with online abuse and its impacts.
Other resources
ThinkUKnow - Helpful site full of tips on how to stay in control on the web.
That's Not Cool - An interactive site from the US that's all about where you draw your digital line.
Youth Central - Advice about understanding the consequences of online actions, knowing what to do if things go wrong, and understanding online security can make your time online safer and more enjoyable.
Other behaviours of concern
A range of behaviours may become a cause for concern.
This may include people dealing with grief and loss, alcohol and drug abuse or dependence, relationship breakdown, or homelessness. These may become concerning behaviours if they significantly affect you or someone else at the University.
Immediate risk
If you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm you should call for help as soon as possible.
Off campus
Victoria Police & Ambulance 000 (if someone is injured, violent or armed).
On campus
Security
9919
6666
(if injured, violent or armed, and 24/7)
