The University of Wollongong is committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all members of our community. We believe everyone has the right to feel safe and supported on campus, free from violence, abuse and harassment.
The SARC 2024 annual report provides a snapshot of the key work being undertaken at UOW in response to the National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) findings that identified the need to increase awareness of sexual violence and drive attitudinal and cultural change. The report also highlights current priorities for UOW, and provides an overview of the reports and disclosures of sexual and other harms that have been received by SARC over the past 12 months, and the types of support provided.
The Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) team is committed to creating a safe and respectful environment across all UOW campuses. SARC is responsible for supporting students who have witnessed or experienced sexual assault, harassment, domestic and family violence, bullying or discrimination. SARC is also leading the university’s prevention work in this space.
Contact SARCSafe and Respectful Communities at UOW
SARC
The SARC Team works with students, staff and the wider community to educate and inform the university community about respectful relationships.
We promote safety on campus and aim to prevent sexual assault, violence and harassment at the University of Wollongong.
When incidents do occur, we help manage them with a compassionate, trauma-informed and support focussed approach.
At UOW we encourage you to speak out and seek support if you have experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour
Such as...
sexual assault, harassment, violence, domestic violence, bullying, discrimination
So what happens when you contact us?
First, our trained staff will talk to you confidentially about what has happened.
We will listen to you, believe you and talk to you about your options to help you decide what happens next.
We can provide you with information and assistance and can connect you with support services at UOW and in the community who can help.
We can also support you to manage the impacts on your studies at UOW.
If what happened relates to a member of our university community, we will talk to you about whether our rules about behaviour at UOW may have been broken
You can decide if you want to make a formal report about what has happened to the university.
In some situations, UOW may need to take action to keep everyone safe.
Depending on what has happened, you may also decide to report the matter to the police.
We can help you to do that.
Be assured, we will keep you informed and support you every step of the way.
If you are an international student, reporting to the university or the police will not affect your visa.
Reach out to Safe and Respectful Communities – SARC – for information, support and advice
You can contact us by email through our website or by phone
UOW staff and students sharing powerful messages about our expectations of members of our community, and calling out unacceptable behaviour: we all have a role in creating a culture of respect and everyone has the right to feel safe and supported on campus, free from violence, abuse and harassment.
Watch the Respect at UOW video
The SARC team can support members of the UOW community who have witnessed or experienced any form of sexual harm, harassment, domestic or family violence, bullying or discrimination.
UOW Security is on hand 24 hours a day 7 days a week to provide assistance, first aid and security escorts. You can call or request their services via the SafeZone app or by phone.
This free and confidential services provides specialist advice and support and is available via text or phone 24/7.
Consent Matters is an online module for UOW students and staff that covers sexual consent, communication in relationships, and bystander intervention. This course is compulsory for UOW students, and helps people understand what consent is and identify situations where it can’t be given.
The SARC team provide a safe and supportive service for people of diverse cultural backgrounds, bodies, genders, relationships and sexualities. We take an inclusive approach when providing advice and support and are focused on adapting and improving current services and organisational practices so they are welcoming, safe and inclusive for all.
The SARC team is responsible for leading the University’s work to prevent violence, abuse and harassment from occurring on our campuses. They are also responsible for providing a coordinated response and support if it does happen.