When it comes to sex Border universities are making it clear “it’s not yes, unless it’s a ‘hell yes!’.”
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In 2018, on-campus students at both Latrobe and Charles Sturt universities will undertake mandatory programs based on consent, respectful relationships and communications about sex.
CSU announced a new face-to-face program for 2018 student leaders and residents in light of growing concerns about sexual harassment and assault at Australian universities.
It comes as footage surfaced of a University of Newcastle hazing, which showed ‘humiliating’ games, threats of rape and a student pushing another student’s face towards exposed genitals
CSU deputy vice-chancellor Jenny Roberts said the face-to-face program Playing Right, would compliment the online staff and student training, Consent Matters, used by both universities.
“This remains an important issue for the university,” Ms Roberts said.
“Sexual assault is a crime. Sexual harassment is not acceptable.”
Playing Right focuses on perpetrator prevention.
Last August, an Australian Human Rights Commission report found one in five students were sexually harassed at university and 6.9 per cent were sexually assaulted.
Head of Latrobe University’s Albury-Wodonga campus Guinever Threlkeld said it was important respectful relationships were at the forefront of students’ minds.
She said university had not yet formally returned but already 2000 student had completed the online consent module.
“It’s important that across all society we are mindful of respectful relationships,” she said.
“Certainly there’s been a concerted approach to this in universities, but in all sectors there is an increased awareness of its importance.
“Our campus is overwhelmingly a very safe place but of course we want to keep working to ensure it stays that way and everyone is safe, and feels safe.”
Both universities said they had a range of other initiatives support and education initiatives available to students.
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