• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Authority
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Procedure
• Disclosures
• Ways to make a disclosure
• Ways to make a formal report
• Precautionary Measures
• Informal Process
• Investigations
• False Reports
• Privacy, Confidentiality and Record-keeping
• Internal Reporting and Continuous Improvement
• External Reporting
• Section 5 - Compliance
• Section 6 - Schedules
• Section 7 -  Other Relevant Policies
• Section 8 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This procedure documents how RMIT will support victim-survivors and respond to matters involving gender-based harm.

(2) This procedure should be read in conjunction with the RMIT policies regarding behavioural standards and conduct which are listed in Section 7 below. Policies and procedures of relevant third parties may also apply in some circumstances (for example, the policies of industry partners hosting RMIT students on placement).

(3) While people of all genders can experience gender-based harm, violence or abuse, the terms are most often used to describe harm and violence against women, girls, and LGBTIQA+ people.

(4) This procedure is part of a policy suite that demonstrate RMIT’s commitment to addressing gender-based harm, gender-based violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, domestic and/or family violence, and other related forms of violence and harm. This includes building a culture of respect, collective care and safety to address the intersecting forms of inequality and disrespect that contribute to violence.

(5) RMIT acknowledges that the intersection of gender, sexual orientation, Indigeneity, race, economic status, ability, or other factors can compound the impact of gender-based harm, resulting in certain groups of people being more vulnerable than other groups to the effects of gender-based harm, violence, discrimination and harassment.

Section 2 - Authority

(6) Authority for this document is established by the Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Policy. 

Section 3 - Scope

(7) This procedure applies to all staff, students and associates (RMIT University Council members, representatives, and volunteers) of RMIT University, RMIT Europe, RMIT Online, and RMIT University Pathways. A separate procedure applies to RMIT Vietnam.

(8) This procedure also applies to prospective students who have applied or are attempting to apply or are in the process of enrolling at RMIT University, RMIT Online and RMIT University Pathways.

(9) Staff, students or associates who have left the organisation are subject to this procedure if they are the subject of an investigation.

(10) Third parties are in the scope of this procedure where there is a connection with RMIT such as when engaged in activities with or for RMIT, or when attending RMIT premises such as:

1. contractors, tenants, licensees or lessees, and service providers particularly student accommodation/residence
2. customers and visitors (including research fellows)
3. international education agents and delivery partners
4. partner organisations or people in Australia and overseas acting for or on behalf of RMIT in relation to our students and staff (including clubs and societies, and student representative organisations).

(11) All partner organisations must adhere to RMIT policies when delivering RMIT programs and providing services to RMIT students, regardless of international and local regulatory contexts, the independence of partner organisations and commercial considerations. These contextual factors are managed through contract and partner management processes to ensure compliance.

(12) This procedure applies at all times when persons are working for, studying, representing or travelling with or for the RMIT Group, including, but not limited to, attending and engaging in RMIT events, functions and activities both on- and off-campus, nationally and internationally.

1. On campus refers to
   1. all RMIT campuses, locations, premises, and facilities where RMIT business or activities take place
   2. RMIT owned, operated, affiliated or endorsed venues including accommodation.
2. Off-campus includes activities and events at non-RMIT venues where staff, students or third parties are representing RMIT (e.g., sporting events, cultural events, competitions, placements, conferences).

(13) This procedure also applies to virtual spaces and online work and study environments including but not limited to RMIT systems, IT infrastructure or assets.

(14) The following policies, procedures and instructions take precedence over this one to the extent of any inconsistency:

1. The Child Safe Policy, regarding sexual harm relating to children, and
2. The Domestic and Family Violence Procedure, regarding sexual harm in the context of domestic and family violence.

Section 4 - Procedure

Disclosures

(15) A disclosure refers to the sharing of information about an experience of gender-based harm, which can be made to anyone trusted, including to RMIT staff or students.

(16) Anyone connected to RMIT, including third parties, is supported to make a disclosure about gender-based harm to someone other than themselves, without fear of sanction or inaction. RMIT’s timely response and resolution may depend on the victim-survivor’s willingness to participate in the process.

(17) All RMIT staff receiving a disclosure must inform the discloser about support from Safer Community. Staff must notify Safer Community of the disclosure to support RMIT’s whole-of-organisation prevention and support strategies. Staff must inform the discloser of their obligation to notify Safer Community and seek consent on what information can be shared, including anonymity preferences.

(18) If gender-based harm is disclosed or reported as occurring outside the scope of this procedure, RMIT will provide referrals to specialist support services as appropriate.

Ways to make a disclosure

(19) In an emergency or in circumstances of immediate danger, the Victoria police and emergency services (000) or RMIT Campus Security should be called.

(20) Individuals wanting to make an informal or formal report of gender-based harm are encouraged to contact Safer Community for guidance. Safer Community provide specialist trauma-informed, safety first, inclusive and intersectional support and advice, regardless of:

1. where or when the harm occurred, and
2. whether the person wants to make a disclosure of harm but not a formal report, or
3. whether they want to make a formal report about it. 

(21) Safer Community offers information on reporting procedures, which may vary depending on the individual's status (student, staff, or third party) and the status of the respondent.

(22) Students may report an incident of gender-based harm under this Procedure or the Student and Student-Related Complaints Procedure. If not satisfied with RMIT’s response, students may make a complaint to the National Student Ombudsman.

(23) Staff may report an incident of gender-based harm under this Procedure or the Staff Complaints Procedure.

(24) Third parties may report an incident of gender-based harm under this Procedure or the Third Party Complaints Procedure. 

(25) External specialist support and advice services are listed on the Safer Community website.

(26) Disclosures can be made by victim-survivors and third parties directly to Safer Community or using the online Support Form, with an option to remain anonymous.

(27)  All disclosures and reports made through Safer Community will receive a response within 1 business day. This response will acknowledge receipt of the disclosure or report. 

Ways to make a formal report

(28) Individuals who disclose gender-based harm may choose to make a formal report, but it is not mandatory. A formal report involves providing a statement about the incident and seeking a formal, timely response and resolution from RMIT.

(29) If a person who has experienced gender-based harm wants to make a report to the police, Safer Community can support a person to make a police report. However, Safer Community cannot make a police report on that person’s behalf.

(30) If a person who has experienced gender-based harm wants to report to police, no further investigation will be made within RMIT while the police investigation is underway, but support from Safer Community will be ongoing.

(31) In certain circumstances, RMIT may have a duty to notify the police in its own name, even if the individual does not wish to. Refer to clause 41.

(32) A notification to the police by RMIT in its own name must be approved by the Chief Operating Officer (if the respondent is a staff member or a third party) or the Academic Registrar (if the respondent is a student), taking into account:

1. evidence of an unacceptable risk to RMIT’s community, or the public
2. multiple disclosures, reports, or complaints about the same person
3. advice from the Critical Incident Management Team in accordance with the Business Resilience Policy, and other relevant groups including Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Risk Management, Compliance, the Academic Registrar's Group, and Legal Services
4. advice from Safer Community.
5. the wishes of the person who has experienced the gender-based harm or who initially made the disclosure or report.

(33) Safer Community will advise the person who has disclosed or reported the gender-based harm about RMIT’s decision to notify the police and, to the extent possible, will keep the person informed of any actions that result from that notification.

(34) Persons who make a report, as well as persons who are the subject of a report, will be provided with information about the steps involved for any formal or informal resolution process, and they will be kept appropriately informed about the progress and outcome of those steps in accordance with the relevant policy and procedure.

Precautionary Measures

(35) Safer Community may recommend certain temporary or precautionary safety measures in response to a report of gender-based harm whilst a formal investigation into the incident takes place, to protect the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff, and third parties, and where there may be an ongoing risk to the broader RMIT community. Safer Community will consult with the relevant areas of RMIT in implementing appropriate precautionary measures, including Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Risk Management, Compliance, the Academic Registrar's Group, and Legal Services.

(36) In managing a response to a critical incident, the Safer Community team will provide expert advice and guidance to the Critical Incident Management Team (or equivalent) in Risk Management, to inform the management of risks and issues associated with gender-based harm.

(37) Under the Student Safety Measures Procedure, where one or more of the persons involved as respondents or complainants in a report of gender-based harm is an RMIT student, precautionary measures that can be directed may include but are not limited to:

1. changes to class timetables and class locations
2. temporary remote learning arrangements
3. temporary restriction of access to campus
4. academic adjustments
5. ‘no contact’ directives
6. a recommendation regarding an executive suspension, in accordance with the Student Conduct Policy and the Student Conduct Regulations.

(38) Where one or more of the persons involved in a report of gender-based harm is an RMIT staff member, precautionary measures that can be implemented through the Policy and Workplace Relations team may include adjustments to working arrangements.

(39) Precautionary measures are not a punitive measure and do not indicate that RMIT has concluded that a breach of the Code of Conduct or the Student Conduct Policy has occurred.

Informal Process

(40) Where a disclosing or reporting person wishes to resolve a matter informally, RMIT may utilise processes that focus on the resolution of the issue rather than the substantiation of the report through a full investigation, such as restorative engagement processes.

(41) RMIT Safer Community offers support to all persons who are affected by a disclosure or report of gender-based harm, including persons who make disclosures or reports, as well as the person about whom a report is made. Support may include:

1. undertaking a risk assessment and safety planning which considers the threat posed to the RMIT community following a disclosure
2. offering information, resources, and support to minimise the need for victim-survivors to repeatedly share their stories. This includes sharing information on incidents of gender-based violence between higher education providers and student accommodation providers.
3. connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the Ngarara Willim team
4. listening to the disclosers and advising on the supports available, including options associated with informal or formal processes
5. providing information and support in how to report directly to police
6. providing information and referrals to specialist services outside of RMIT to ensure all victim-survivors and perpetrators have access to expert-led support specific to their experiences
7. referring a person to a relevant representative body (e.g. RMIT University Student Union [RUSU]) or support organisations, staff wellbeing services or student counselling services, privately sourced counselling services, Safer Community, or the RMIT Multi-faith Chaplaincy.
8. other support mechanisms or facilities as appropriate.

Investigations

(42) Where a report of gender-based harm involves repeated conduct by a perpetrator, or where the harm or conduct is of a more serious nature, RMIT uses formal procedures to establish whether a report is substantiated. RMIT may be required to pause or temporarily suspend such investigations if required to do so by police or by other external regulators or authorities.

(43) A Specialist Investigator in Gender-Based Harm/Violence will investigate all formal reports or disclosures of gender-based harm, with support from fully qualified and trained Advisors. The investigation will follow the process outlined in the RMIT Gender Based Violence and Sexual Harm Investigation Process Map (refer to Schedule 1).

(44) There are some circumstances where RMIT may take formal action in relation to a disclosure, even if the discloser does not want to make a formal report or have any further action taken. This may occur where there is a serious or imminent risk to the safety of another person or persons, or to meet RMIT’s legal obligations. To the extent possible, RMIT will take measures to avoid identifying the victim-survivor. Where such matters involve alleged criminal conduct, RMIT may contact the police and suspend any action under this procedure pending an investigation by the police.

(45) RMIT will complete the investigation, disciplinary action, and outcomes within a reasonable timeframe from the formalisation of the investigation. However, this timeline may be extended when there are extenuating circumstances, such as additional time for coordination and communication when there are external processes and providers, the availability of key participants, the complexity of the case, or any legal proceedings that may impact the timeline.

(46) RMIT will continue to provide appropriate and reasonable assistance and support to prioritise and protect the safety and wellbeing of all parties after the conclusion of any investigative or disciplinary action, including the recovery of any person who has been sexually harmed or assaulted. 

False Reports

(47) Any person who knowingly makes a false report of gender-based harm may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with RMIT regulations, policies and procedures.

Privacy, Confidentiality and Record-keeping

(48) Disclosures and formal reports of gender-based harm will be handled confidentially in accordance with RMIT’s Privacy Policy. Information may be shared on a need-to-know basis with appropriate RMIT officers or external authorities as part of RMIT’s duty of care obligations or as required by law.

(49) Safer Community maintains a confidential register of disclosures and formal reports. All information will be collected, stored, and accessed in accordance with RMIT’s Privacy Policy and applicable laws. RMIT will also use de-identified, collated data from disclosures and formal reports to provide high-level, public-facing reporting on known incidents of gender-based harm.

(50) RMIT will use de-identified data from disclosures and reports to inform preventive interim safety measures, if necessary, to focus on the level and nature of the risk as part of assessment and proactive ongoing monitoring.

(51) In limited cases information will be provided to the Chief Operating Officer to inform internal decision-making, these may include matters where serious sexual assault has occurred on campus, emergency services have been involved and here a staff member may be temporarily stood down from duties for the purposes of an investigation.  Where possible identifying details of the impacted parties will be protected by Safer Community.

(52) There are some limited circumstances, such as where RMIT is required by law to report an incident to the police or a regulator, in which RMIT may be required to share identifying information about a person who has made a disclosure or report of gender-based harm or about whom the disclosure or report has been made. This is for the safety and wellbeing of the RMIT community, including for the safety of the person identified.

Internal Reporting and Continuous Improvement

(53) The Director, Health, Safety and Wellbeing immediately advises the Chief Operating Officer when a sexual assault is reported to Safer Community or when any incidents are reported to the Police.

(54) The Chief People Officer advises the Chief Operating Officer if there has been a termination of employment because of staff misconduct.

(55) De-identified data is reported by Health, Safety and Wellbeing every six months, or as required, to the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Group on Gendered Violence Prevention, RMIT University Council (Council), and other areas of RMIT as required. Access to this information will be managed in accordance with RMIT’s Privacy Policy. The reports:

1. identify trends and systemic issues
2. contribute to evaluation of prevention programs, and
3. identify opportunities for improvements and preventative actions.

(56) RMIT may provide information to a third party for investigation purposes in accordance with the Student Conduct Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. Where a requirement to make a report to a third party exists, such as the Commission for Children and Young People, and this information is not able to be provided in a de-identified format, the individual will be consulted prior to the report being made and every effort taken to respect privacy and minimise trauma.

External Reporting

(57) RMIT provides de-identified data to external agencies or bodies, where required, to ensure compliance with legislated reporting requirements including but not limited to those detailed under the Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic) and the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Cth). Access to this information will be managed in accordance with RMIT’s Privacy Policy.

(58) If disclosed or reported incidents indicate material breaches in safety or preventative controls, including recurring incidents of gender-based harm, Safer Community will notify the Director, Education Regulation immediately to determine if it is appropriate to notify the Tertiary Education and Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA). If deemed appropriate, a recommendation will be made to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education that TEQSA be notified within 14 days of the incident in accordance with Higher Education Standards Framework 2021 and TEQSA’s Material Change Notification Policy.

(59) If disclosed or reported incidents occurred in relation to an activity funded in whole or in part by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Safer Community will notify the Director, Health, Safety and Wellbeing, who will determine if it is appropriate to notify DFAT. If deemed appropriate, a recommendation will be made to the Chief People Officer that DFAT be notified in accordance with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy (2019). This notification must be made within two working days of RMIT becoming aware of an alleged incident.

Section 5 - Compliance

(60) Reports of non-compliance with this procedure should be made in accordance with the Compliance Breach Management Procedure.

(61) A breach of this procedure may result in disciplinary action. Depending on the nature and impact of the breach, other actions may also be instigated, including legal action.

(62) In cases where non-compliance issues arise, RMIT will utilise various investigative tools to actively monitor and address these issues. This may include:

1. conducting proactive audits
2. undertaking investigations when non-compliance is suspected

(63) This procedure supports RMIT’s compliance obligations regarding:

1. Australia Human Rights Commission – Guidelines for Complying with the Positive Duty under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (AHRC)
2. Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)
3. Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)
4. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy (2019)
5. Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic)
6. National Plan for Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education 2024
7. National Code of Practice for Education and Training Overseas Students 2018
8. Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (Vic)
9. Respect@Work – Changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
10. Higher Education Standards Framework 2021
11. TEQSA Good Practice Note: Preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Australian higher education sector (2020)
12. The Australian Universities Accord (2024) (National Higher Education Code).

Section 6 - Schedules

(64) RMIT Gender-Based Harm Response Procedure Schedule 1 – Investigation Process (Australia).

Section 7 -  Other Relevant Policies

(65) RMIT policy suites regarding behavioural standards and conduct that are relevant to this policy include:

1. Student Conduct Policy
2. Code of Conduct
3. Workplace Behaviour Policy
4. Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct
5. Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
6. Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Policy.

Section 8 - Definitions