Top QandA - Respect.Now.Always.

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Q: What is RNA?

A: In February 2016, Australia's universities launched a groundbreaking initiative, Respect.Now.Always, to prevent and address sexual assault and harassment across Universities Australia wide.
The UNE Respect Now Always campaign used screenings of the critically acclaimed feature documentary THE HUNTING GROUND as a tool to start conversations within the university around the incidence of, and responses to, sexual assault and sexual harassment in our university. ‘THE HUNTING GROUD chronicles the personal stories of students who have been sexually assaulted on American university campuses.
In August 2017 the Australian Human Rights Commission released the Change the course: National report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities the result of a national survey of over 30,000 students across all 39 Australian universities. The survey results provide evidence of the nature, prevalence and reporting of sexual assault and sexual harassment in a university setting. The Commission also collected qualitative data through written submissions, with over 1800 submissions received.
In summary, the survey found that:
• One in five students were sexually harassed in a university setting, excluding travel to and from university in 2016.
• 1.6% of students were sexually assaulted in a university setting, including travel to and from university on at least one occasion in 2015 or 2016.
• 51% of students who were sexually assaulted knew some or all of the perpetrators.
• 45% of students who were sexually harassed knew all or some of the perpetrators.
• 94% of students who were sexually harassed and 87% of students who were sexually assaulted did not make a formal report or complaint to their university.
UNE is now implementing all nine recommendations of the report and is committed to providing a respectful, safe and secure learning, living and working environment. Safety and respect is central to UNE’s culture.

In the words of our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Annabelle Duncan;
“We will not tolerate sexual assault or harassment at UNE. It starts with Respect for everyone, right Now, and Always.
Respect is a way of treating or thinking about everything and everyone.

“Show respect even to people who don’t deserve it; not as a reflection of their character but as a reflection of yours.” Dave Willis.


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